Painting in Progress: First Pass - Dumbo

24 x 24 oil on hardboard panel

As promised here is an in progress look at a painting I'm currently working on. I rarely post images of my work at this point in the process, because I'm usually not very happy with the painting at this stage. This is a fleshed out version of a similar painting I did at 6 x 6 some time ago, and always wanted to do again in a larger format. I came across this ride at one of those nomadic carnival's that pop up in shopping center parking lots. The little elephant was very reflective and in pretty good shape compared to most of the other rides. He also just looked so colorful and happy. I don't know how much appeal this subject will have with collectors, but I decided to do it anyway.

At the completion of the first pass, my under-paintings are always a bit muddy, and tend to be mostly in the mid-tone range. It usually takes two to three passes to "get it right". I was intending to send this to Elliot Fouts Gallery for a group show he's having in October. My problem is, he is planning to put an ad in American Art Collector showcasing the art of the participants, and the deadline is August 7. As slow as I paint, I'm not positive I can get this done by that date. Hopefully it will be done in time.

Miniature: Tomato

2 x 3 oil on hardboard panel

. . . and last but not least to finish off my week of miniatures, a gorgeous vine ripened tomato. This was selected from a bag of tomato's given to us by a good friend from his garden.

I've also just completed the first pass on a larger painting I've been working on. It's a 24 x 24 inch version of a six by six I did about a year ago. Every thing is blocked in, all in mid-tones. The first pass is always tough for me. The second and third layers, I have to say, are much more satisfying.

I'm also always convinced that I'm going to screw up a piece like this somehow before it's done, so I rarely post "in progress" images to my blog. I figured this time I'd take a chance, and put up the first stage. I've been putting off this particular composition for some time now, because I wasn't sure of it's mass appeal. I finally made the decision to go ahead, and just do it. For no other reason than I wanted to. This kind of attitude has come back to bite me in the arse in the past, but I figured what the hell. I'll post the image tomorrow.

If you'd like to bid/buy the Tomato, you can find it's listing by clicking here.

Miniature: Glass Sphere

2 x 3 oil on hardboard panel

Tonight it's a little crystal ball. These small paintings are a bit of a challenge, but I have to say, a little freeing too. I'm enjoying creating them. If you'd like to bid/buy this painting, you can find the auction by clicking here.

Miniature: Percolator

2 x 3 oil on hardboard panel

Wednesday's listing is one of my vintage percolators. Two more to go, then I think I may post an in progress image of the larger piece I'm currently working on. I haven't decided. If you'd like to bid/buy this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

Miniature: Pool Balls

2 x 3 oil on hardboard panel

My second entry into miniature paintings this week is four pool balls. I hope this experiment works out, because my mind is really clicking away conjuring up new subject matter for these small paintings. If you'd like to bid/buy this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

Miniature: Cherry

2 x 3 oil on hardboard panel

I'm borrowing an idea from Duane Keiser this week, and depending upon how successful it is, may continue to utilize it in the future. Duane's been doing a series of paintings he refers to as "oddment's" for sometime now, and I thought it was a great idea. I make a lot of my own panels from larger sheets of stock, and always have a bunch of pieces left over. These were too small to do anything with, I believed, then I discovered that Duane was using his "odd" pieces for very small paintings. So, I'm going to see if I can make use of my remnants as well. I've got five little paintings ready for this week, and we'll see how it goes. It was a nice break from the larger piece I'm currently working on, but now, it's time to get back to it. I'll be listing these small pieces a little differently than my usual 6 x 6 inch paintings. These small works will follow an auction style format, but with a smaller reserve, and the option to buy them outright for $150. To access the auction for this painting, you can bid/buy by clicking here.

Crystal Sphere

6x6 oil on hardboard panel

To cap off the week, a self portrait of sorts. This is my hand holding one of my little crystal sphere's. I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out. It's an image I've been hanging on to for a long time, and felt it was the right moment to finally paint it. I'll be starting a larger gallery painting tomorrow. It's pretty big (for me), so I'll be out of the loop for a while. Depending on how things go, I may post some in progress images along the way. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can take part in the auction by clicking here.

Converse Hi-Tops

6x6 oil on hardboard panel

I've been wearing Converse "Chuck Taylor All Star's" for well over thirty years. As soon as one pair wears out, it's out to find another one. One day I was working up some new still life compositions using a new chair that Karen had just purchased. I decided to put my shoes on the seat, and found them to be a worthy subject. If you'd like to bid on this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.