Geese

Two semi-finished but unsatisfactory paintings were completed by adding geese and ducks from photo references. The top painting started out as abstract, became an imaginary landscape, then water and geese were added for more vitality and excitement. The lower painting started out plein air at Sauvie Island in the fall when geese were migrating, filling the sky like small gray dots in loose formation. Adding the two large geese in the foreground completed the story. Besides, it was interesting to use real black and grays.

Hipbone

Hipbone Studio is a great way to spend a winter Wednesday afternoon (it's always warm for the nude models) to draw or paint from life. Emilie, our model, was lovely in a young Marlene Dietrich kind of way. I especially liked the umbrella, walking nude in the rain is so Portland! As usual, we started with one minute warm ups, then 5 minutes, 15 minutes then some longer poses. I used micron pens for sketching, then added acrylic paint.

Meditations

Saw Body Worlds at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry) recently and did some sketches. There was something so exciting and "alive" about seeing human beings from the inside out, their bones, muscles and organs revealed in life like postures. I especially was drawn to the skeleton seated in the lotus position, so developed it into a painting, "Meditation Lotus". Not sure if it was a male or female in life. Doing yoga, one becomes aware of the inside of the body, the space around and life beyond. Later, I revisited a sketch of a man started earlier and developed his sense of meditation. This is a good time of year to think deeply of what is important, and what will be.

Pastry Girl

"Sunset, Mt. Tabor Reservoir" is one of the acrylic landscape paintings I'll be showing at Pastry Girl in January and February. Pastry Girl is a cafe in Montavilla specializing in cakes, pastries and my favorite cookies. They are located at 7919 SE Stark Street, Portland, open at noon every day except closed on Tuesdays. I'll be there Friday, January 6th at 7 pm. Come by for a treat!