This is a good example of how I can control the light using my shadow box. By twisting the box the angle of the light and shadows change.



Starting with greater contrast between the lights and the darks makes for a more dramatic composition. Adding drama to a composition is a good way to break out of old boring habits. There is nothing worse than looking at a still life arrangement that has no life in it at all.



click on the image to enlarge the paintingPeony, Pears and Rose original by Peter Yesis
8"x10"
oil on canvas board

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The rose is the star of this scene with the others playing a supporting role. To me, the rose seems to be playing to the crowd, like a great stage actor holding the pose and soaking up all the attention from the audience.

Sorry, no progress shots today. I was just too lazy to set up the camera. This was an experiment to try and get the orange to be even more brilliant than the last painting. I tried giving it that halo of color and I think I got carried away. I was going to leave it like this but the art gods started screaming in my ear..."If you know it is wrong, you must fix it!" Back to the studio.



click on the image to enlarge the painting
Oranges and Brass 5"x7" oil on masonite
SOLD

Much better I think. I straightened out the wine bottle in the back ground and made the ring of the candle holder a little sharper. Sometimes it pays to double check before calling it quits.

I was in downtown Omaha yesterday delivering my entry for a national competition. The Nebraska Council for the Arts wants to commission some new paintings for the new Veterans Home. That's one of the things I have been so busy with lately. Anyway it is done and now it is up to the judges to decide. Wish me luck!

After dropping off the proposal I walked to a cafe in the Old Market and had a cup of coffee. ( "No tea?" you ask.) Coffee?? at a Cafe??? ...He must be in a new artistic phase of life. The next thing is to start wearing a beret.



Anyway, this is the view from the counter. I liked how inviting the sunlight was and the fact that their were no other customers.



click on the image to enlarge the photo

Waiting for Customers - Study
6"x6" oil on canvas board

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My intent was to see if this composition works in a square format. I think it has possibilities. I was concerned that not having a figure at a table might make the picture less interesting. It is strange but I think if I add a lone figure along the back wall it might help with the sense of emptiness. It would also give the viewer a place to rest. OK, I talked myself into it. The larger studio painting will have the figure.

Leap year is an odd occurrence so I thought a good way to celebrate Leap Year was to do something different on the blog... like take a tour of my basement studio. For those who have followed this blog from the beginning ( probably three people of the two hundred who visit the blog daily) you remember my old studio was up stairs. Things have changed. This photo shows the back wall of the basement studio filled with props and some still life arrangements I am experimenting with.



Here is one of the best things in my basement studio. My wife / studio organizer set up this storage space for my paintings and canvases.



How many art magazines do you have? I have piles and piles. I have recently cut my magazine collection down to only American Art Collector, International Artists, and American Art Review , with a few Southwest Arts thrown in for good measure. On the right is a shelf that holds a box with the daily paintings that have not sold and various canvas panels neatly stacked. (The neat part is from my wife... I come from a long line of clutter stackers so neat is a foreign word to me.)



Every studio needs a library and a Lazyboy chair. I think I have more Norman Rockwell books than anything else. Books on or about Wyeth are second, then Rembrandt.



Here's where all the magic happens and where all that tea is slurped. I set up my shadow box on the left. I haven't used it for a while. My studio room upstairs had a really nice north window, but the space was very limited and I could not back up from the easel. I like to back up at least 15 feet from the painting to evaluate it during the painting process. The basement allows me to step back.

I thought I would also show you the overhead lighting. Nothing fancy but the lights are the best I could get as far as color correction. They are 6500degree K Lumichrome Lamps. I highly recommend them.



click on the image to enlarge the paintingNeeds a Name - Work in Progress 24"x30" oil on canvas

Here's a closer look at the painting on the easel. A work in progress that needs a name and is about 80% complete. Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Click on the image to enlarge the paintingAfternoon Delight

5"x7" oil on masonite

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Sorry but I couldn't think of a better name. This is my valentine painting to my wife/valentine. It's for sale because she is also my wife/business manager.

Another chance to work on the color of oranges (actually they are tangerines).



I like this composition. The fruit is packed into a space that catches the light in a warm inviting way for the viewer.



click on the image to enlarge the paintingFruit Bowl 6"x6" oil on canvas board

I am really enjoying painting in orange... now I should quit while I'm ahead.

This is my attempt at "Quick do a Daily practice piece then get back to work on the larger studio pieces". I am reusing a panel that had a cloud study on it.



I liked it here at this stage. The painting was loose and it had an Oriental feel to it. There was even a feeling of space that made this little 5"x7" seem larger than it was...



Valentine Leftovers 5"x7" oil on masonite

...That all disappeared by the end. I am not pleased. I think the red roses were too heavy and the blue too light, and the atmosphere evaporated. I am posting this to show that not every daily painting practice piece ends up being a keeper. These are the paintings I learn the most from though. Studying your own mistakes helps you identify what makes a painting work and what makes a painting weak. There is nothing more powerful than the knowledge that you can do better next time.

My wife and I went to a wine tasting event this past weekend to benefit the Disabled Veterans. Each woman was given a long stem rose as they left.



Two days later the rose is in full bloom and ready for a Daily Practice Painting.



I have never painted a rose yet to my satisfaction. I think they are the most difficult of all the flowers. I have yet to figure out how to go about getting that deep color with pale halftone and soft highlights on the petals.



It is especially difficult painting wet into wet. Perhaps if I tried painting it again when the paint dries...



click on the image to enlarge the paintingThe Rose 8"x10" oil on canvas board

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Or perhaps not. I gave it a good try but I think I may have to do this over and over again until I am satisfied I can paint a rose. I should have named this ..."First Attempt"

I had to do a painting with warm colors because my hands were so cold in my basement studio. I was dancing around to keep warm. I don't know if the music I listen to effects my painting but I have been listening to a lot of opera lately and today had gone back to Sinatra and Ella. I listen to (web radio Live365). It's free, which is great, and the choice of stations and variety of styles is endless.



I love the bright brush work of fellow (Dailypaintworks) artist Carol Marine. I was thinking of that style while painting these pears. I noticed Thursday, February 7th, Carol had a post where she showed a (picture of herself painting with head phones on). ( I am glad I am not the only one who paints in pajamas). I listen via speakers but I wonder how many artists have a studio ritual of painting to certain music. Anyone want to share?



click on the image to enlarge the paintingThree Pears and a Silver Dish 8"x10" oil on canvas Board

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I had a lot of fun with this one. The title needs a lot of work though. I hit the colors and the values a lot easier than yesterday's rose. The background was even enjoyable.... I love days like this!

Well I'm back. It has been at least two weeks since I actually picked up a paint brush. It could not be helped. Sometimes you just have to roll with what you are given. My production goal is going to be nearly impossible to meet but that doesn't mean I won't try.

On the left you can see the beginning of my next still life (with a familiar face in it). On the right is the beginning of today's daily practice painting.



The under painting is actually a plein air cloud study I am painting over. The blue makes a nice contrast to the orange tangerines. Too bad I covering it up.



I think this is the best I have done as far as capturing the intensity of the orange color of the tangerine peel.



click on image to enlarge the paintingTangerines on a Blue Plate

5"x 7"
oil on masonite
(Click Here to Bid on EBay)

That's a big title for such a small painting. It was fun to get back to work. I was really missing the time in my studio. My goals still stand. This will be my first solid week of painting without Grandpa duty. I can't wait to slop some paint...... but I miss the little guy already.