Waiting at the Corner, 12 x 16 inches, oil on linen
Well! The opening reception of Waterways at Knowlton Gallery was great fun. It was very well attended, and I got to catch up with some old friends as well as make new ones. Thank you very much, to all of you who made the trip! If you missed the opening, you must catch the show before it closes. You can view the paintings online here.
Robin did an awesome job putting together the show! There were a bunch of paintings that I wish I could have taken home with me. Despite the economy, there were several red dots, including one on mine; Quiet Waters. It's always nice to start an exhibition with dots; it allows you to relax a bit and enjoy the party more. The wine tastes better too. Afterwards, a handful of us ended up at a restaurant across the street and had a nice time winding down in a more intimate setting. Jean Stern shared with us his forthcoming book on California Impressionists - it is an absolutely gorgeous book of select works at the Irvine Museum – fresh off the press, not yet available. If you're interested in California landscape art, this is a must have for your library.
So today is a painting day for yet another group show coming up later in the year, and tomorrow we go to San Francisco for the opening of Back to the City. But like I said, the hard part's done and I just have to show up. A few of the paintings are already claimed, so this one too, will open with some dots. I'm happy and relieved about that.
The painting at the top is a 12 x 16 with a little bit of a narrative angle to it. It's interesting how, if you stick a figure in an environment, make her the focal point, but you don't make it a portrait, the narrative aspect becomes really strong. It actually takes quite an effort and considerable ingenuity to make it a subtle narrative. I don't want to illustrate and describe a storyline. I just want to offer a glimpse, and let the viewer complete the story in his or her own context.
Most of the time, when I paint figures into an environment like this, I don't use a model nor reference photos. I don't actually know what the figure is going to look like. I don't even know if it's going to be male or female. They just sort of... emerge out of the shadows and take shape. So I didn't mean to make her look like anyone in particular, but now that I look at the figure, she kinda looks like you, Randy.
So today is a painting day for yet another group show coming up later in the year, and tomorrow we go to San Francisco for the opening of Back to the City. But like I said, the hard part's done and I just have to show up. A few of the paintings are already claimed, so this one too, will open with some dots. I'm happy and relieved about that.
The painting at the top is a 12 x 16 with a little bit of a narrative angle to it. It's interesting how, if you stick a figure in an environment, make her the focal point, but you don't make it a portrait, the narrative aspect becomes really strong. It actually takes quite an effort and considerable ingenuity to make it a subtle narrative. I don't want to illustrate and describe a storyline. I just want to offer a glimpse, and let the viewer complete the story in his or her own context.
Most of the time, when I paint figures into an environment like this, I don't use a model nor reference photos. I don't actually know what the figure is going to look like. I don't even know if it's going to be male or female. They just sort of... emerge out of the shadows and take shape. So I didn't mean to make her look like anyone in particular, but now that I look at the figure, she kinda looks like you, Randy.
10 comments:
Congratulations on all the sales. My friends and I thought it was a great show last night. I didn't know about the dots and wondered if any were selling--so glad to hear that some did. I'll interested in the new book on the Irvine colleciton when it's released--I have the one called Impressions of California, which came out in '96.
Dear Terry,
Heartiest congratulations on all the sales. The narrative angle in this painting is strong indeed but what struck me immediately is the beautiful harmony in blue that you have created here. Your paintings never fail to amuse and inspire me. Thank you so much for sharing them with us here.
Vinayak
My favorite was Summer Remembered. Great job!
Great, I look at all the artist works,nice in general, but if I was a collector, I will probably get yours first. there is more into it, than the others , and I don't want to put down their work, congratulation for your red dots, hope the next show you get tones of red dots.cheers.
It was good to see you and your thoughtful paintings in the Knowlton Show on Thurs. night. I'll always appreciate the way you make the right statement with your work. Thanks!
THANKS EVERYONE!! I'm very pleased with both shows. Hopefully they'll be a bunch more sales before they come down, but it's already a success just in terms of the quality of work.
Thanks again for your support and enthusiasm!!
I admire anyone who can do perspective with buildings. Always been a challenge for me.
I love your figure on the COED LODGE MOTEL painting..he looks like he is off to the diner across the street for some coffee and breakfast...
Your beautiful Delta paintings remind me a little of Liz Mowry's pastel work.
Thanks Donna~ The Coed Lodge guy, no doubt was influenced by some Raymond Chandler novels I've been reading lately!
Thanks David! I wasn't familiar with Ms. Mowry's work, so I looked her up. Nice! I'll take your comment as a compliment :-)
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