Celebrated a birthday here this weekend and had a lot of fun seeing family.  It was beautiful here today, but I had some things that needed doing, so no painting.  I have one sitting in my studio that I rather enjoy and will continue working on it soon.  But, I am trying to figure out the logistics of my next piece of work.  The first one I considered is not going to work, so I am moving on to a different idea.  Well, same idea, just different subject matter and completely different execution.  Someday soon, you will understand what I am talking about.  But I'm still in a dilemma stage and trying to work out the kinks.  For your enjoyment I have added a photo I took at our local gym.  Back to my brushes.  

"When we see the land as a community in which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."  Aldo Leopold

Enjoying some beautiful sunlight today, but still questioning part of this new painting.  Each time I make a decision on this one particular part, I waiver.  Nope, I really want to do it this way…even if it's wrong.  Then it must be the right decision…right?  So instead I am making this journal post.  Okay here is some advice for those entering juried shows:  Enter your best work.  I'm not being flippant.  Pick the piece you love and in which you have the most confidence.  After that, it is out of your hands.  Then start working on your next painting.  I posted a new art documentary review so be sure and check that out.  New reviews are at the bottom of the page.  Bikes, Blues, and BBQ here this weekend.  Have fun, be safe, be courteous drivers - that goes both ways.  Back to my brushes.

"You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."  - Christopher Columbus

The concept of this painting started well before, but the actual beginning of this painting started on July 2nd.  I am happy to say that it is finished.  The wonderful sound of masking tape being removed from the edges was, as always, a satisfying moment. What shall I tell you about this painting?  I felt the need to take some negative feelings and turn them instead into something beautiful.   As such, it is a sweet day.  Back to my brushes.  

"Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement."  - Henry Ford

I have added a new documentary review.  Back to my brushes.  

"The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life.  Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat."  - Albert Einstein

Had to share this little moment.  My youngest told me today the following:  "I am the Chuckie Finster of friendship."  Chuckie's catch phrase is "I don't know; maybe this isn't such a good idea."   That made me laugh because it is so true.   Posting early today because I ended up painting 13 hours yesterday and finished painting about 11:30 p.m. leaving me a little tired today.  So, just in case I sit down this evening and fall asleep, I'm sending out good vibes for everyone to have a great weekend.  We're almost there.  For your enjoyment I have posted a photo I took of the reflections of a new installation piece at the museum.  My friend and I thought it had a problem because it leaked, but according the newspaper it is supposed to deflate routinely.  Really?.  This exhibit should be fun!  Back to my brushes.  

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."  - Sydney J. Harris

It is days like this that I recall the words of Georges Braque who said "One day I noticed that I could go on working my art motif no matter what the weather might be. I no longer needed the sun, for I took my light everywhere with me."   I spent the whole day painting and now into the evening.  It is coming along, albeit slowly.   But I still prefer a bright day.  Back to my brushes.  

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation"  - Jean Kerr

I've named my blog/journal after a recent painting.  A friend recently started a discussion about how the narrative drives modern art.  I've been brooding about it ever since. It's a fair point.  Braque stated it best when he said "To define a thing is to substitute the definition for the thing itself."  Back to my brushes.  

"You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down."  - C. S. Lewis

I am pleased to share that my painting "In Paul's Wake" has been accepted in the 2014 Illinois River Salon and will be exhibited at the Restoration of Our Rivers Conference.  I hope you can take time to see the exhibit at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership's "Watershed Learning Center" in Cave Springs, Arkansas, October 3rd through November 15th, 2014. 

This painting, "In Paul's Wake" was inspired by a visit to Spring Creek with my friend Cheryl.  Delighted by the play of light on the rippling swirling water near the bank, I decided that this would be a painting defined solely by movement, line, and color.  It is devoid of references such as trees, land, or even anything floating on the water.  How would I describe it?  Difficult.  I would characterize it as organic but linear; impressionistic to the point of abstraction; and with an eye to proportion.  I used a color palette similar to Paul Signac, thus the title.  (Always fun to play with a title.)  As was the case last year, this exhibit allows me to explore and grow outside of my genre and I must express how much pleasure it was to work on this painting.   I have noticed that upon viewing this piece everyone seems to have some type of intuitive and spontaneous reaction: a pulling in of breath, a softening of facial features, continual eye movement, a tentative smile or a slightly mouthed "oh".  It’s really quite extraordinary to watch.  And I would have to say the scan doesn't do it justice, you must stand in front of it to really appreciate it.  So thank you to the judges for including this odd painting in the mix.  

I have added another art documentary review…remember the new ones are at the bottom of the page.  Back to my brushes.  

"The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."  - Arthur C. Clarke

Hope everyone had a great holiday.  The wrinkles that have been taking up my time are getting taken care of one at a time…meaning my car is at the body shop.   On the upside we received a goodly amount of rain today, but it was just too dark to paint.  So I finished some other chores that needed my attention.  I have added a couple of new documentary reviews.  For your enjoyment today I have added another photo from downtown.  Back to my brushes.  

"Pay no attention to what critics say; no statue has ever been put up to a critic."  -  Jean Sibelius