Category: Oil Paintings

First, I get an idea. . . sunflowers!

Second, I look through my photos. . . sunflowers, where are they, I know I have some good ones, AHA, right under the category of florals.

Third, I attach a hanger, write a name and inventory number on the back, list it on the inventory list. . . Sunflower, Orange Sunflower (clever, eh?)

Fourth, I start painting. . . oh boy, this is sort of complex. Does it matter if I actually include every single petal?

Fifth, I paint again. . . okay, this is starting to look possible.

Now it is better than before. And it will continue to improve.

Improvement in my book means more detail, greater contrast, more accuracy.

Better Than Before is the title of a book I want to read by Gretchen Rubin. It is about how to develop good habits. She is the author of The Happiness Project and Happier At Home. She is an excellent researcher, but more importantly, she has a gift for summarizing her research in a simple, helpful and entertaining way. Her writing is full of personal examples and stories, and I follow her blog and podcast because if I lived in New York, I’d hang out with her!

The reason I called this post “Better Than Before” is because I have paintings in progress and can show you how they looked at the beginning of a work day and at the end.

The two paintings of the Honeymoon Cabin in Mineral King weren’t on that day’s schedule. Or, maybe they were, but I got too involved with the other three paintings. They were dry-ish enough to take to the Redbud Festival.

(I’ll tell you about the Redbud Festival later this week.)

Meanwhile, here are Gretchen’s books and links to her podcast and blog.

The Happiness Project

Happier At Home

Better Than Before

The Oak Grove Bridge, 6.5 miles up the Mineral King Road, is my favorite bridge and favorite subject to draw and to paint. This is the 11th time I’ve painted it in oil, and although this is only partway to being finished, you may see it now.

As I did last time, I am exaggerating the colors. Why? Because I like it that way!

Do you like it brighter than the colors of real life?

Sometimes when life is hard, it helps to focus on lighter things. (Life has gobsmacked my family – you can read about my brother-in-law here.)

So, these 2 little gems are in progress.

Doesn’t look like I know how to paint at this stage, although I’ve seen paintings of this caliber sold for big money.

I wonder if those artists are laughing all the way to the bank or if they actually did their best?

None of my beeswax. . . it is my job to do my very best for my customers.

Don’t you just wonder sometimes about lots of stuff? Nah, you prolly just watch teevee and have another beer. I’m sure that must be the demographic that reads my blog.

Just kidding! Trying to keep things light here. Buffoonery is a method of coping.

What a relief to be painting in the studio. The light is consistent, I’m not cooking in the sun, and nothing blows away.

 

This: becomes this:

It will dry awhile, and I’ll make it better. Those flowers were sure fun – it is rare to just put bright colors down in a world of browns, grays and greens.

This:

becomes this:

It will dry a bit, and then I’ll work on it some more. The colors look a little wonky when they are shiny because of being wet. And there are some messy parts in the foreground that I will have to decipher and then interpret. This painting and the barn are somewhat loose interpretations of reality, but those who have been there will know the scenes.

 

If you have read this blog or followed my art for any time, you may have figured out that I have a thing for the Oak Grove Bridge. The sign on the bridge reads “East Fork of the Kaweah” or “Kaweah River” or something, but Trail Guy told me it is the Oak Grove Bridge back in 1985, and so that’s what it will always be to me.

I have painted and drawn it many times.

In 2011 I did a large-for-me oil painting of it. 18×24″ is huge when one is accustomed to painting 6×6″ or 8×10″.

It started out rather disastrously, when an easel in front of it dropped down and ripped a hole in the canvas. Upon the brilliant suggestion of a blog reader, I turned the torn canvas into a tote bag, and began another painting.

The new painting turned out so well that I have been using it on my business cards.

But, it didn’t sell.

Why not? Too much money? Come on! Paintings of this size sell for thousands. My bridge painting is a bargain at $500.

I know. This is Tulare County.

So?? It is a good painting.

Time passed. I finally decided that after 4 years my abilities have improved. Growth is good. Admitting it is hard, because it feels as if I am telling those who have bought my earlier paintings that I ripped them off.

(Do you feel ripped off? Would you like me to retouch a painting you bought earlier??)

I decided to rescue it from the gallery where it sat unappreciated and bring it home to study it. My first thought was, “Wow, this looks good”.

Then I realized that I am blinded by love for the bridge, so somehow had to find a way to be objective.

I thought about it and found a few things to improve. Because my style of painting is to paint layer after layer, this wasn’t too difficult. I ended up repainting most of it, right over the top, sharpening edges, increasing contrast, exaggerating colors. This is the result:

Oak Grove Bridge, oil on wrapped canvas, 18×24″, $500

NEW AND IMPROVED OAK GROVE BRIDGE AT SAME BARGAIN PRICE!

Maybe I don’t even want to sell this painting. I could auction it on the premise that anything is for sale if the price is right.

Do I hear $550?