Had a studio visit from one of my main patrons today, and it was most welcome as I've been in a depressive funk lately and she loved everything she saw. So after she left, and a a quick, refreshing nap, I got back to work and had a productive afternoon.
Getting closer to the finish line:
Both of these are 16" square, and I made some good progress on them today.
Late next week, I'm going to give all of these paintings one final pass to clean up any areas that need polishing.
Another 4th Street (click on image for larger view)
What's left:
The Garden Room
Straight Ahead
Plat Du Jour
Dance All Night
It's time to get that tile floor under control. I re-measured the ones in the foreground and clearly there's much more to do. But that's it for now, it's already early evening.
I keep finding areas that need more work! Will there be enough time?
...are better than one. Morning work; just blocking in color.
I figure one or two more passes will do it; the details that I need to attend to are smaller and fewer between.
Sometimes people wonder why it takes so long to finish a painting. A lot of time goes into putting down a stroke, or working into an area, only to find that the next day it looks like that was a mistake. Then you have to ruminate over how to correct it, let the paint dry, and then go back in and try again.
Such is the case with this one. Several areas that I thought I'd made progress on today now look all wrong to me.
Moving forward; worked on the little girl, mostly.
The hanging lights now have a visible means of support!
Also:
Four more pieces worked on today:
Some progress on this, but I keep finding areas that aren't working:
Yet another for the America series. This should be relatively easy to finish.
I'm getting very close to finishing this one, and that will be time to celebrate.
I spent all of yesterday afternoon fulfilling my volunteer obligation at Artomatic, and exhausted myself on floor duty. But I got to see the show! My last two stints have been relegated to sitting at a table in the lobby, and while it was an excellent way to gather material for the America series, I didn't get to see the art much.
I am convinced that Artomatic is a great gift not only to DC and its environs, but also to the art world at large.
Anyway: Emily is terrific but I shall have to work my way slowly around and through the many buttons and patches she wears. And time is limited! I want her to be in the May show at Calloway.
Worked multiple areas; laid down a quick wash over the anemic looking sidewalk and street surface; not sure if it helped.
One more round with the sandpaper, and then another attempt to get the faces right. So far, so good, though still more to do.
It's Friday already, and by my count I've got a mere 13 days left to finish 5 paintings. And it's not going well. I have to budget in time for rectifying mistakes; drying time; changes in color or drawing. I am freaking out.
Today I tried to tie up some loose ends on the left side of this painting, and make some decisions about the floor colors.
Thursday morning painting:
God, this is tiring. But I progress.
Straight Ahead, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
I keep plugging away at as many pieces as possible these days. I did some background work on three or four of the America series today, but didn't bother to photograph them. Here, though, is one of the larger paintings. There is still much to do.
Moving along— this one is finished!
4th Street (click on image for larger view)
Another 4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
Not done yet, but pretty close to.
And:
Time to get busy. I was able to get two more people to pose for me for the America series, yesterday at my Artomatic volunteer support event, so the day wasn't a waste of time. I'll be posting the newbies soon. Meanwhile, worked today mostly on architecture.
I worked on this this morning, and all I can see that's left to do is some signage on the left, where that blue kiosk is.
4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
The little pieces from the America series are getting easier to paint.
