I was just going back through some of my latest posts and realized that I had used one photo of downtown twice.  So although I have little time to discuss my painting today, I have included for your enjoyment a view of the square from a couple of years ago.  To busy to get back to my brushes.

"Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious."  - Jean Cocteau

So, just got home and because of time constraints had to jump back in the car and make another road trip.  If my brushes had puppy-dog-eyes I would not be able to handle the guilt.  It just can't be helped.  Hopefully everything will settle down following the do this weekend.  Okay, so on my way home we went through Nowata and we stuck around a little while looking at all the original brick streets, the architecture:  The Savoy, Courthouse, Hotel, and Depot.  Interesting history.  How the land was acquired…..questionable.  Anyway, the photo is of the Savoy.  I read that it was being renovated, but I couldn't see any evidence that was true.  Radium baths?  Madame Curie what do you think?  I'll pass thanks.  Back to my brushes.

"I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy."  - Madame Curie

I have been out of town.  It was a harrowing drive home.  Very bad weather.  Small limbs off trees were flying at my windshield.   Debris would fly across the road then go back across the road in the opposite direction then scuttle back at an angle.  THAT IS NOT NORMAL!  I pulled over and went into an eating establishment since it looked even worse ahead of me.  The power went out and the rain and wind were so strong the ceiling began leaking water.  We used the iPhone flashlight for light.  The staff told the few of us there that if it got any worse we would all get in the freezer.   But we stayed by the wall with no windows.  Twenty minutes later it had passed and we were on our way home again.  Back to my brushes.

"All architecture is great architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like the art of fireworks."  -  G. K. Chesterton

Painted for 21 hours the last two days.  12 hours yesterday, 9 hours today.   Sometimes while I am working and thinking I imagine how much time someone will give this painting as they walk by it.  8 seconds?  30?  And yet I will spend hours getting something just right.  This painting has a rim in it.  I spent four hours painting that rim.  It is as close to my vision as possible.  Will anyone notice?  Probably not.  But, I have the brush in my hand and I want it my way, no matter how long it takes.  And I will continue to agonize and give the commodity of each precious hour until it is fine.  Truly fine.  Have added another art documentary review.  For your enjoyment another second story from downtown.  Back to my brushes.

"The only angels in Los Angeles are in heaven, and they're looking down on the Dodgers."  Tommy Lasorda

I'm deep into this painting now.  I move about an inch forward every day.  Let me put that into perspective…10 hours painting equals 1 inch of progress.  You would think that would mean it would take me about 30 days to finish.  If only that were true.  Some areas will need tweaking.  I've already gone back into two areas, so that set me back two days.  It has been an enjoyable process though.  There is something about feeling confident about a piece when you start.   One of my thought processes during the conception stage was to explore yellow as a subservient color.  In other words to make yellow recede instead of coming forward.  Difficult.  Similar to the construction of Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" which uses the color blue in the foreground.  Think along those lines but using high contrast.  It is quite bold.  Nothing wishy-washy about this piece.  But, I believe it is working out.  It makes for a very "happy" painting.  Considering that the subject matter is visually dark I am extremely pleased with the result.  I hope to have it completed by the end of August.  

For your enjoyment, here is another view from downtown.  Back to my brushes.

"It is no use saying 'We are doing our best.'  You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."  - Winston Churchill

Sorry I haven't posted, I've been busy.  I have finally gotten back to work after company and spent the day drawing a new piece.  It took all day.  Full sheet.  My eyes are tired and dry.  I'm really excited to start this painting though.  It will be a lot of fun.  I would say it is definitely in my genre, but a different take on it.  Still life.  Perhaps a portrait?  Two paintings ready to be picked up at the framer.  (Sorry, but those are not posted yet.)  Another ready to be dropped off.  Beautiful day today.  Hoping that the upcoming holiday is the same.  For your enjoyment, here is another photo of mine from downtown.  Back to my brushes.  

"Friendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never subsides into friendship."  - Lord Byron