Mrs. Ida goes to Rudd Art Center

My latest painting “Mrs.Ida”, a 24 in. x 36 in. portrait, has been entered in the juried art show at the Rudd Art Center in Ozark, AL.  “Mrs. Ida” is the largest portrait painting I have done; I do not paint that many portraits.  Saying that, the other painting I entered is a 10 in x 10 in portrait of my wife Trina.  Both paintings are oils.  Portraits are new for me and I hesitate to do too many.  They are fun, a challenge, and interesting but I am still not fully comfortable painting them.  I am more of an abstract, impressionistic painter and to capture the likeness of a person takes more control than I have been accustomed to using.  The paintings do carry the mark of my style; I do not deny that.

My wife and I are attending figure drawing sessions each month at the Rudd Art Center.  From these sessions has sparked my interest in using people as the subject of some recent works.  There will be more.  I have a couple of portrait/people paintings working and at least one more portrait I would like to tackle.

Anticipation

Framing is an important element to my paintings; I do not consider a work completed, nor will I sign it, until it is framed.  Two of my latest paintings are at the frame shop and now comes the anticipation.  I am involved in the selection of the frame but I have a great deal of trust and respect in Wanda and Annette, the two ladies who do most of my framing.  We have selected frames that will compliment the paintings and hopefully add to the pieces.  The two works are different and the framing selected is different; one is simple, the other a bit more ornate.  I have already been through the anticipation phase of painting and waiting to see how the painting will look at the point I declare it finished.  And I admit I am pleased how these two have turned out.  No brag; just fact.  Now I want to see the finished frames and be assured we made the right decisions.  I want to see how the frames make the painting pop.  But I must wait.  We selected framing unique enough that it must be ordered.  All I can do regarding these two paintings is wait and anticipate.

Art as a business

I paint because I love to do it, I feel I have something to say and ideas to express, and it has been lucrative.  Today I was involved in a conversation about art entrepreneurs.  The move from hobby to business can be difficult if the artist is not familiar with the process and the responsibilities the artist takes on when art is approached as a business.  If one makes money, one pays taxes.  I have known artists who sell their paintings, spend the money and then when tax time comes, end up surprised by taxes owed.

The interest in encouraging the growth of art entrepreneurship in this region is welcomed.  This region is full of talented people who need encouragement, support, guidance and knowledge so they can take this talent and develop their own small business.  Building the network will take time and a great deal of work.  I commend those who are undertaking this move, pledge my support, and encourage other artists and those in the economic development field to likewise.

Summer painting

Summer in the South.  Think heat; think humidity.  The area in which I paint does not have air conditioning.  This time of year it is best to paint early in the morning and in the evening.  The paints are softer and it makes knife painting a bit tougher.  But I enjoy the painting process enough that I can paint no matter how hot it gets.  The painting sessions may be a bit shorter, but I am pleased with the progress I am making.

While I am enjoying painting, I find I am beginning to work on a new subject matter.  The first hint of this is posted on my website and is titled “ree”.  This move to people is being developed through several canvases.  We will see how this goes.