Key #5

I just finished this small commissioned oil painting I'm calling "Key #5". It's (4x6") on gessoed board (My official favorite surface). I'm attracted to old wood with graphics or lettering on it as a background element in my paintings. I went on Ebay to find some old wood boxes with advertising on them and they are not cheap...I'm not the only one who likes them evidently. I may have to get lucky at flea markets or yard sales.

Makin' for the Bay

This is one of the pieces that I did for the show at the Diamond Newman Gallery in Boston. "Makin for the Bay" is an oil on canvas, 10x20". I like the odd size of this work. I also learned that I prefer working on wood panels rather than canvas. Actually, I know I should give some tighter weave canvases another try before I make this declaration.

The painting is a lobsterman rowing toward the bay. A theme I've painted before and will continue to do until the images stop haunting me. I came up with the title from rewording a line from the Steven Stills (Crosby, Stills, Nash) song, Southern Cross; "She was making for the trades on the outside and the downhill run to papeete"...I love the nautical imagery in that song and thought part of that line would be cool if I simply reworded it to fit the fella in my oil painting who was "Makin' for the Bay". The love is in that gritty slang "Makin". It's exactly how this lobsterman would phrase it.

Diamond-Newman Gallery Boston, Massachusetts.

I'm very excited to have begun a relationship with The Diamond_Newman Gallery
in Boston, Massachusetts. They were on my long term radar and coincidentally, they contacted me about a month or so ago and asked if I would put some work together for the "First Friday show" this June. I have been a fan of many of the artist in this gallery for a while and I am thrilled to hang my work on the same wall. Below is the notice for the show, which opens tomorrow evening in the SOWA art district in Boston at the 450 Harrison avenue studios. I will be there with Alison and then maybe have some dinner in the North End, I'm really looking forward to it. Come by if you can and say hello. There are so many talented artist in this building, it should be an inspiring evening.

Still

Study for "Still" (8x10") oil on wood panel
"Still" (16x20") oil on wood, framed

I was reading about an artist on Cape Cod who does a small and large version of each painting at the same time. She uses the smaller study to experiment and help to keep the larger one loose. it makes sense to me...I already have the paint mixed and the composition worked out, so why not?

This post represents my first attempt at this idea and I must say that I can definitely see the benefits. the top image is the smaller (8x10") version and the second painting (shown framed) is the larger (16x20"). They are both on wood panel. I did indeed approach the larger painting with a looser
temperament and more confidence than I think I normally would have. I think this confidence reveals itself in the brush work and overall feel of the piece. What a eureka moment.

Another bonus was I think I was looser on the smaller piece as well, a complete attitude switch has taken place. I want to recommend this approach to any artist reading this...give it a try on at least one painting and I'll bet you a two pound wedge of cheese that you'll notice an attitude difference that comes accross in the work..and that aint' the booze talkin.

Highlights magazine finish

I finished this illustration of Pumpkins for "Highlights Hi-Five" magazine for children for the October issue. Great fun, as always to work with this company.

Patience

Here is another 6x8" oil painting I'm calling "Patience". This is currently on the wall of The Art House Gallery
on Cape Cod.

It was painted fairly quickly for me..there was a point where I was standing before it with my brush, looking for the next spot to paint and I realized it was done. It's always been hard for me to decide when a painting is complete, I've ruined many by over working them. The great painter William Merritt Chase once said, "It takes two to paint. One to paint, the other to stand by with an axe to kill him before he spoils it."

Heading Home (Top 'O the Mornin)

I finished this small (6x8") oil painting of a Cod fisherman returning to shore at sunrise. I sent this off to one of the galleries down the Cape with the title "Top 'O the Mornin". If you are familiar with this blog, you know I don't like naming paintings, I'm just not good at it and it always seems like I'm trying too hard. Anyhoot, the gallery owner changed it to "Heading Home"..thankfully. Much better and simple.

Craggy Red Boat

First Light

I did this small oil painting for a series of works that I sent to The Art House Gallery on the Cape.

I'm calling this "First Light". It's an image of a fisherman rowing to his larger craft as the first light of morning emerges. I like adding figures to my paintings and hope to include more in future canvases. This is oil on wood panel (6x8")

Key #5 (under painting)

I just did this oil under painting of a Key for a commission. I like the look of the Jack Daniels wood advertising in the background of this Key. Definitely an area I will explore in future paintings.

Max's Ride (Plein Air)

First of all, I'd like to apologize to mother nature for all of the terrible things I've said about her since November..my sincerest apologize madame. Today was a about as perfect a day as you could ask for.

Max took a nap in the afternoon so I set up my paint box and did a little plein air painting of "Max's ride" in the back yard. Just me and my paints, the sound of spring birds singing and the baby monitor cranking.

One of the challenges of plein air painting is the moving sun..you can see how much it shifted the shadows from when I began (in the first photo) to only an hour and a half later (the second photo).

One of the challenges of a stay-at-home dad plein air painter is a waking child. This one was cut short in less than two hours.

Magazine pumpkin sketches

How goes the great struggle? Alls well here thanks! I recently got an illustration assignment from my favorite children's illustration client, "Highlights for Children" magazine. They have a magazine for younger children called Highlights Hi-Five that I've done work before. Fun assignments, great deadlines and professional/trustworthy art direction...Thank you again Highlights, I love you.

this is for the October 2008 issue and they've asked me to do a bunch of Jack-o-Lantern paintings. I did some pencil sketches, scanned them in to Photoshop and added some value..viola!

They gave me the go ahead to add color, so I'll get cracking on that asap.

The Venerable Spirit

I finished this small (6x8") oil painting of a dinghy I'm calling "The Venerable Spirit". OK maybe this is just the current working title because it doesn't sit well with me after re-reading it here. I think it's the "venerable" part. Maybe this boat deserves a simpler title. The word venerable seems like I'm trying too hard to have a sophisticated title or something...

Just thinking out loud here.
Anyhoot, let me sleep on it.

(Click on image for a larger view)

Cherry

I finished this small oil painting study of a Cherry on a plate. It's 4x6" and is oil on masonite panel.

The Secret Key

I finished this Key painting a while ago too but I wasn't sure if I was going to add something else to it. My better judgement was to finally leave it as is. Sometimes a painting will let you know when it is done..and sometimes they take a while to get that idea across.

"The secret key" got it's name by finally letting me know it was done. The secret is out. This is oil on wood panel and is 4x6"

Key #4

Finished this small oil painting last week and forgot to post it on this blog. "Key #4" is an oil on wood panel and is (7x5"). This takes on a different meaning after reading the critique from my last post.

Art and Critique spotlight #2 (Keys to Desire)

Elija from Artandcritique.com did another critique of my oil paintings, this time it's the series of Key paintings I did and you've got to see the slant he put on them...on me. It turns out I'm a horn-dog..go check it out for yourself, you can read Elijas latest critique of my painting here: Artandcritique.com

Thanks again Elija. Alison read the critique and thought he may be on to something.

Art and Critique spotlight

I recently received an email from Artandcritique.com and they are currently posting an extensive critique of my boat paintings. I would like to thank Elija and include a link to his very cool web sight. You can check out his critique of my work here: ArtandCritique.com

I have to be honest and tell you I'm flattered and my ego is stroked, Elija has an amazing insight and quite a way with words.

Key #4 (Under painting)

I'm trying something new for me..I'm transferring about 20 drawings to 20 panels and will try to work simultaneously on all of them rather than just hammering one out at a time. A few of my art friends have suggested this for several reasons: 1) it will keep the work fresh and you'll be less likely to "worship" the current piece and loosen up 2) If you get stuck on an area simply move to another painting and return later with a fresh eye...and 3) Productivity increase. This is important I think, productivity means you are releasing all those ideas that are bunched up in your head. So, we'll see how it goes.

Today I am posting an under painting of another key, this will be "Key #4". It is an oil raw umber wash with some under painting white in some areas to make the lights pop.

The Heifer (Finish)

"The Heifer" (14x11") Oil on Masonite
I finished "The Heifer" painting last night and put it in this wood frame (see below for detail and framed painting image). I was working on a companion piece to this simultaneously but ended up cursing the counterpart...perhaps later this year I'll revisit the companion. We'll see, lots to do and the limited time seems to fly.

I hope you are all well, the weather is looking better and I'm looking forward to dusting off the pochade to do some outdoor plein air painting soon.


Detail of "The Heifer" (click on image for larger view)

"The Heifer" Framed. email me for purchase inquire: tmbonita@gmail.com