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Friday, August 2, 2013

A Grinch's First Honest Day--Followed by Another

Disposable Practice Head, second twenty minutes.

August 3rd, 2013:  I was a little more organized today in my monochromatic mixing.  His nose looks like a shnozola, but in a larger format, it'll come easier.  Little canvases and little brushes really inhibit. This little practice is 8 x 10".  After I sail through my stock of this size stretched disposables,(about three left), I'm headed bigger. Even though I may paint this small on a larger size, the wider space is not as crippling.  




Disposable practice head, first 20 minute session

August 2nd, 2013:  First honest days work in the studio. I worked on an abstract in the morning--I'm not going to tell you which one. Then, in the PM, I thought another head study of JD was in order concentrating on shapes. It's been way too long since I just sketched with oils on a throw away canvas--you know, practiced.   All in all, it was a good day spent painting after working out the surgical arrangements that still needed working out.

Ye Gads my doc's surgery scheduler is a nincompoop!  She had me going hither and yon to get blood work done when  the hospital where the surgery is going to happen did it all. Did she not know? When I questioned her thoroughly,  I had to use my stern-big-lady-I-want-what-I-want voice.  I hate that. Some young puppy thinking she knows it all--or has the right  answer for everything, when the right thing to say  is: I don't know, I'll find out.  --Of course, it takes years to learn to say I DON'T KNOW.  Lucky girl has that kind of time.  This wise old Grinch called the hospital herself.   I've got a bum knee. I'm not going where I don't have to. Now, everything is copacetic.



9 comments:

  1. Sometimes you really do have to be The Wise Old Grinch! :)

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    1. You sure do. And when you're the one in the hospital bed, you need someone who pays attention and asks questions on your behalf. That's Ellis. He's great at that.

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  2. You are so right, small canvases has it's limitations and doesn't suit everyone. There are times when you see a great artist that keep painting small for the sake of it, not living up to their potential. I have realized that the only time it is OK for me to paint really small is if I do a very simple composition, like a single apple.

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    1. Exactly! And apples have no noses or grins or orbitals with sly eyes. And to think I bought a dozen of these little fellows. I think after nosing around 16 x12 will be practice size. The tiny brush was driving me nuts. I have noticed you are back to the larger sizes and have gone even larger with a few. Good move. I like wall art, not table art.

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  3. Hi Linda. I'm back again. Several months work preparing me away from blogger. I see you've been very productive and also have renewed the blog header; Excellent jobs Linda.
    Hugs from Barcelona

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    1. Not as productive as I should have been, but nice of you to say. Welcome back--or not? Work is good. Construction is picking up here. I have a client threatening to build a sizable addition. We're at the architect stage. If that comes through, I will be involved after four years being "laid off," "retired," or "unemployed." I can't decide if I'm thrilled or not. I am thrilled for Ellis, but I have adjusted quite nicely to pursuing portraiture--though it certainly isn't a money-maker. --I have grown to like having my time being my time. Thanks for your kind words Blanco--and the hugs. Hugs back from bankrupt Detroit.

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  4. Those small studies are looking good! I'm tuned in to see what happened next. I like your style on all fronts...including how you handle the medical people. We have to stand up for ourselves...no one else will do it for us! Will you delve into some good books during your recovery? More American History maybe? I hope you'll continue blogging (during your recovery)! :)

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    1. I'm still on George Washington! The book is 900 plus pages; I'm only half through. I can only read a few pages in a sitting when the weather is fair. I'm hoping to maneuver the stairs very quickly, since my house has three floors. Beds up. Studio down. If I can't get down to the studio, I have graphite supplies couch side on the main floor. If you have to sit, you might as well sit and draw. But that's a month and half away. Till then, I'm working with oils. I've sidestepped around JD long enough with landscapes--thus the small head studies. At an art show I attended last week, I realized I'm very interested in surfaces and the degree of finish than I am in the image. I like sure brushstrokes and a fine finish. Something to aim for.

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  5. I love to see your head studies. You can draw/see so well that the brush is an extension of that wonderful hand/ eye coordination.
    You and Roger had some interesting dialog going on regarding small paintings.
    You are a fabulous artist - always interesting and a fun blog to visit.





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