Art By Scott

So I am coming to realize that the best paintings for me come with the least planning.

This painting just jumped onto the canvas after a quick day trip to scout out Momrovia Canyon for ideas. I actually used my iPhone photo to paint from.  I also  just recently finished a painting of my step grandchildren on the beach in San Diego. It also jumped onto the canvas.

I don’t question this phenomenom, it has been suggested that I was “channeling” , however some paintings I can “see” and some are just tedious drudgery. This I have learned. I am a realist, and I will not be fighting it anymore.

"Monrovia Canyon Afternoon"

Well, I have to admit that I have been negligent here.

First off, life has been really, really busy. But, the real truth is that I forgot my password. Then when you ask to reset it they send you a new password that is so complicated that with my eyes I couldn’t get it right.

So now here I am again. I finally slowed down enough to figure out the password “thingy” and have finally approved all those nice comments that you all have been posting, and since I have a password that I might possibly remembere, maybe I will check in a little more often.

Some news;

I just coordinated a great event with 16 artists painting in 6 different areas with excellent food and wine to compliment each areas’ theme. It was a huge success. I was even able to have a live professional model (Toni Czechorosky) on a stage with four figure painters. Toni was a fabulous model and her lively spirit came alive on the canvas’. Some of the artists in attendence included;

Jason Situ. Keewon Hong. Scott Garland. Lynn Fearman. Debra Hollady. Chuck Kovacic (I will mention the rest of you later when I have a list in front of me.

The artists were expertly coordinated by Laura Segil of Segil Fine Art Source in Monrovia California. Thank you Laura!

Also because of this event I managed to sell a painting. I am happy to report that “Old Mill 2″ is now going to reside in New York. I have made it outside the boundaries of California!

I am happy to report that over the last two weeks I have sold 2 glicee’ prints of the Colorado Bridge. This is a good thing because I am not getting much brush time in the studio. It’s a good feeling to know that I have created something that appeals to the real world. It’s also a wonderful thing to reap the rewards of time spent and lost sleep creating this painting.

This puts me one baby step closer to getting published in Southwest Art. One step closer to to gallery representation and one step closer to transitioning to painting full time. Taking workshops when I want, plein air anytime . Cruisin’ the galleries and maybe even seeing my canvas in a window or two.

“Perchance to dream of a beautiful flower, and perchance to wake up with that flower in my hand”

                                                                                                                        - Author unknown-

Having brought back from our vacation to Oregon many digital images I have started painting the ever scenic Mt Hood. As I sit at the easel painting this serene scene the mountains are ablaze all over Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties. The cloud of smoke as seen from the airplane upon arriving home was a surreal and awesome experience. To juxtapose our local mountains with the view of Mt. Hood brings a sharp realization of how tenuous our enviroment can be. Enjoy the beauty as you find it as it may not be there tomorrow.

My wife and I made it home safely from Portland and vicinity last night and I am ready to return to the easel in earnest.  The sight from the airplane as we flew into LAX was jaw dropping surreal. The smoke plume from the fires made it appear that the whole San Gabrial range was on fire. The plume reached over a billowy mile into the atmosphere. As we drove across the 105 to get home we could readily view the orange line of flames across the lower mountain range. What a juxaposed view from the waterfalls, pnie trees and green that we just left from up north.

Well now to the easel and the news channels.

Scott

I have come to the conclusion that Portland Oregon traffic flow was designed by the artist community.

Arriving in this town for the first time we found ourselves constantly crossing over the Columbia river on the wrong bridge, encountered many one way streets going the wrong direction, and two way streets that don’t allow any turns. It took two days of driving in circles to learn how to navigate the area. The main solution is to always cross the river at burnside bridge, beware of Steel bridge because if not approaqched correctly you will once again encounter the one way street going in the wrong direction.  if you needed to go south turn north then east, then south on your inteneded street. Even our GPS warmly nicknamed “Maggie” got lost. Left brain vs. the right brain, right brain confusing the left brain. sounds like a buncha artists to me.

I have finally found enough time to finish some paintings.

Here are the two with the prerequisite “lawn” shot before I take them to Artworks for professional scanning.

I hope to finish # 3 tonight.

Garden Variety # 2 and The Old Mill

The installation of new hardwood floors really put me “offline” for awhile. Getting everything back together took a lot longer then we thought due to our other jobs.

I am happy to report that all is well again and I have a complete studio now.

Here is a picture of the West wall. Please note the moulding to hold my works in progress. A great suggestion that I received from fellow artist Paul Chambelain

Works in Progress

My wife and I are currently vacationing down South. We spent some lovely days  at 2 of the best plantations in Natchez Mississippi. The grounds as well as the rooms were spectacular. At Mommouth we had his and her bathrooms and stayed in the owners suite. We enjoyed a delicious meal at the Chefs table  and enjoyed wonderful conversation with our fellow travelers.

When we arrived in New Orleans we were to stay at the Monte Leone Hotel. Unfortunately for us they had a transformer explosion 45 minutes before our arrival. Much of Bourbon street was shut down. We followed our way down the dark passageway to the bar where I bought my wife a martini to sooth her nerves and ponder our situation. We ended up at the Marriot 1 block away for the night and transferred the next day to the Garden District.

The power was not turned on until around 7:OO PM the next day. Our curiosity took us back by the Monte Leone where we met some guest coming out. The had chosen to stay through the ordeal. They had no lights, no water (toilets?) and only candlelight and a bed. Quite a vacation story for the folks back home.

We ate at Commander Palace last night and tonight we are going to try Emerils Delmonico. We fly back tomorrow and hopefully I can get back to painting. I have taken some great shots of the plantations and may well have to turn one into a painting. I am trying to avoid the mural my wife keeps suggesting for the dining room wall.

Until then

Scott