Lazy Days

 I just feel unmotivated lately. I guess it's the bounce-back from all that painting. Around 5 pm I decided to clean up some of the sloppier details on this one.

                                                    Night For Day, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Easing Back In

 Today I surveyed the paintings that I was working on months ago, before I dropped everything to concentrate on the ones for the show. There's a wide range: a couple of florals, a mysterious figurative, a night scene of Times Square, a very large figurative, a street scene in SoHo, etc. I'm trying to see which ones are closest to being finished, and then plan to concentrate on them. I really should get a few things done before starting new work!

                                                    A Rainy Night In Alexandria, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Not sure the raindrops are working. Sharpened up some of the table detail.

I put a couple of paintings on the floor across the room from where I am now, and, as usually happens with a break from work I had some new insights into what needs to be done to them. I got the feeling that what I've been doing over the last five months was a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees; I'll try to do better.

 This one is pure fun, gaudy as it is.

                                                   Untitled Sunset, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
 

 

It's A Start

 In the past two and a half weeks away from the easel, I've caught up on a number of domestic and garden tasks. It's been a nice break, and I didn't want to force myself back to work, so I just let myself float, so to speak. But for the last few days the image of the California coast, which I've had on the back burner for years, insisted I pay attention to it. 

How it started:

                                                    Kasler Point, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

How it's going:

                                                    Kasler Point, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Break Time

 I'm taking some time off from the intense work I've been doing since December. There are still 12 unfinished works in the studio, so those will be at the top of the list, but I'm waiting to see what new thoughts and ideas inspire me. It's time to try a new direction, whether that means through technique or imagery.

Here's "Straight Ahead," finished and installed in the gallery.

                                                  Straight Ahead (click on image for larger view)

Delivered

 I'm still trying to calm down after all the tension of getting the work ready for the show. I brought it in to the gallery on Friday afternoon, and now have to prepare for the Saturday reception.

Here's a shot of the gallery. It's my understanding that with all the new Americans being delivered, the series is moving upstairs.

 

The Last One

Of course, looking at this now I think I ought to darken the shadows on the face... But otherwise, here is Emily.

                                                    Emily (click on image for larger view)
 

Two More Down and One To Go

I begin to breathe a sigh of relief. 

                                                    The Garden Room (click on image for larger view)

                                                    Sai and Friend (click on image for larger view)
 
 
 

At Long Last, Done!

When did I start this painting? Sometime in 2022? Anyway, I just put the finishing touches on it, cleaned up a few ragged strokes, and unless I see something critical in the next 48 hours, this is done.

                                                    Straight Ahead (click on image for larger view)
 

Another One Down

 Lakin is done!

                                                    Lakin (click on image for larger view)

What's left to do?

  The Garden Room; Straight Ahead; Sai and Friend, Emily, and Lakin.

                                                    Plat Du Jour  (click on image for larger view)

Plat Du Jour is done, I think.

Worked on this in the a.m. but i need to put in some foliage shadows and finish the floor.

 

                                                    The Garden Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

To The Finish Line!

 I cleaned up the building window lines in the upper right hand corner and made a few adjustments here and there. Have made a list of what remains to be done. It's a short list.

                                                    Straight Ahead, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Emily's Dotted Dress

I painted some of the dress dots, but if I really want to make this look realistic, the dots in the deeper areas have to be done in a darker value than the ones that are getting all the light.

                                                    Emily, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Completed!

 After many tries, I've finally gotten the man's face to be acceptable; it's clear that he's smiling but he doesn't look as grotesque as he did in earlier iterations. 

I also made some last-minute, major alterations to the white dress.

                                                    Dance All Night, work in progress (click on image for larger view)