As painters of the natural realm we utilize several important tools; design, shape, color, value (plus a few others) but there’s another element in the artists repertoire, surface. Some artists go for the smooth as glass look, it brings a kind of mystery to how the piece was created. No foot prints. I like to see the hand of the artist, see the marks and the knots of paint, be able to run my fingers over the paint (if it’s mine) and feel the texture. Some will really play this up by adding a thickener to the paint or by loading the brush with a palette knife in order to get big lumps of gooey paint to come off the brush.
I’ve started a new series of bigger pieces for the people who still have large houses with large walls. This one is 48″x60″, not the biggest piece I’ve done but big enough. To get the paint to build up I incorporated every trick and device I could drum up. Big cheap brushes, palette knives to load or scrape or blend. I like this one, it’s got a thing and so far anyone who has walked in has liked it too. I have a few other canvases that are bigger, 60×70 and I’m looking forward to slathering gobs of paint on them. In order to do that though I’m ordering quarts of paint so that I’m not burning through expensive big tubes. I haven’t figured out the frame thing yet… I have two galleries that are good with the gallery wrapped canvas idea of presentation.
And in other news… I’m working on a new website, brand spankin new from top to bottom with a lot of fresh work and some old favs. Most of the older work is going away. Movin forward. And the blog will now be attached to the site so it’s one stop viewing. Haven’t figured out if the 4 or 5 of you with subscriptions will have to re-up or not yet. Should launch in the next week.
It’s a beauty! Love seeing the detail close up. And wow – wish I’d waited a few days before coming in to say hi. Can’t wait to see the next of the big canvases!
Hi Larry,
I always enjoy your witty blog and your paintings too.
Keep up the great work!
Bigger is better! Looking forward to your new website. Don’t even try to hide… we’ll find you.
Believe me once it’s done I will be puttin it out there.