Color Options -

(click on picture for a larger view)

Having my normal struggle with color decisions... So can't decide.

Have any preferences? Alternate suggestions?

Image for critique

The first painting is in progress. I'm on the second attempt on the background and table. The painting is about 70% there. Any comments/critiques are welcome!

The next is the painting I recently entered in the ARC yearly salon. It's inspired by my Grandpa Ken's shed. I remember going in and smelling lumber and oil. I found the gas can and oil can at an antique shop in eastern WA. The minute I picked up the gas can and smelled it I was six or seven years old exploring his tool bench.

Sketch check -

(this is for Jo - who can't seem to see this via email...)

An Obama Odyssey

I think I just couldn't bear to do think about this book for a little while--it really was a tough experience, especially for a summer project. That said, I am very proud of it and I think that both Michelle and I will be thrilled with the results. If she had not drawn all of these characters (and been in such a good mood about doing so!!!), this would not have been possible!
Issues ranged from PERSPECTIVE, sometimes an arch enemy, sometimes a friend. PA from The Night Before Christmas visited the Oval Office for a size study, and I ended up building about nine little sets to determine that in the end, the "wrong" perspective seemed to work best for the stage illusion.

COSTUMES were fun, especially for the women!

Because Michelle did the drawings, the CHARACTERS went pretty smoothly.
And THINGS are always easy!

BUT despite Michelle's fine portrait drawings, PORTRAITS are just really, really difficult. I discovered that you cannot simply wash over an existing drawing with color--you have to understand the subject completely, just like the original portrait artist. I found the women easier--probably because I used to spend hours redrawing illustrations from Nancy Drew books when I was little! But Obama, despite his unique features, was sooooo difficult and I am still not thrilled--but the setting and the title should give everyone a clue as to who he is...I think!

So very glad it is finished!!

September Critique Meeting -

This month's critique meeting was held at Gudrun's house -

It was cloudy-rainy night that got dark astronomically quickly - yet, we ventured out in the dark to see Gudrun's new waterfall and dry river bed...

...as well as getting a peek at her stone-carving gazebo (complete with wonderful carved polarbear in progress)

We also got to see the score she made at Michelle's garage sale, where many studies and paintings were sold for a mere pittance...

Speaking of Michelle, she continues to teach and teach and teach and paint and paint and paint (selling a couple every month at the gallery). We also got to enjoy an amazing ginger-with strawberries-cake by Jo. Happy Birthday Michelle!

Kathleen showed us samples from her summer-long human anatomy project, as well as her latest experiments in media - this watercolor/colored pencil approach is a total win.

Rebecca made a welcome appearance. We got to see samples of her digital tarot deck on her computer.

Jo showed us sketches from our latest horse book -

I showed some of the WIPs horsey covers...

Sarah... What can we say about Sarah? She brought in a series of 2 minute edits of some of the radio stories she's been working on, catered to the working styles of each of us... Only Sarah...

She also shared a 'favorite things' drawing from her recent adventure in Greece...

And Suzy, who has also been teaching up a storm. This particular project looks particularly fun - etched plexiglass used in her press. Wanna try me some!

Nice meeting girls.

Golden Delicious goes to Washington!

Golden Delicious will be featured at the 2009 National Book Festival, held at the National Mall by the Library of Congress. It was selected to represent West Virginia in the "Pavillion of States". I wish I could be there!

Field trip -

A bunch of us headed down to Seattle (picking up Rebecca, in front of her very cute building in the process) -

And we went to the Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co.!

Much luscious food and good talking happened...

Oh yeah... We also went to see a gallery....

Travis Louie's "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Monster". Victorian gothic painting fun!
(More photos are posted on my blog).

Thanks girls for a lovely day.