Charles The Ox

Last week I participated in First Brush of Spring in New Harmony, IN. It's an annual painting competition in a quaint town and a very spiritual place. This was my first time there. Coinciding with this event was Historic Harmony Days. Children from every school district in the area came to view historic reenactments and a variety of tents where they could learn how things were done in the "old days." The creative energy filled the air! This ox was one of four that a man used to demonstrate how they helped in farming. I bravely set up my easel thinking that I would be lucky to get a start on a painting. Certainly these animals wouldn't sit still for long! But to my surprise, this gentle creature posed for me for over an hour, while the others rambled around him, showing the children what they can do. When I was done and starting to pack up, I heard the man say "OK, Charles, it's your turn now." The ox rose, and the children came running to see what I had done! What fun!

Bed of Roses

This is my most recent painting in my Fields of Flowers series... now available at DCF Art Gallery & Gifts in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. They also have a nice variety of small rose paintings, priced right for Mother's Day gifting!

Bed of Roses
20 x 48

First Brush of Spring

I've painted seven paintings in two days (so far). This is one of them -- a garden adjacent to a little church. The weather is beautiful and the flowers are blooming everywhere in southern Indiana. Wish me luck as I enter the final day of this competition and paint-out...

Hooray for Spring!

Painting season is officially here! This painting was done last Friday at the Woodland Dunes Nature Center near Two Rivers, WI. I've been painting outdoors all year, but I don't enjoy it as much as I do when the weather is a bit warmer and the sun higher in the sky. Next week is my first painting competition of the year. I'll be participating in the First Brush of Spring in southern Indiana. Many of these competitions have multiple opportunities for artists to show what they can do. This one hosts a two-day paint-out, where artists paint within a given perimeter and then turn in one of their works for judging. There is also a Quick Paint on Thursday evening from 5:30-6:45 -- If I want to participate, I need to get a painting done in that time slot and turn it in for judging. And then there's a Saturday morning art show. And, if I want to, I can have one of my paintings stamped, and then take it home to finish and bring it back next year for the Field to Finish competition on Wednesday evening. It's going to be a busy week!

Fini

Here is the final version of the painting progression that I've been posting. I'm not claiming to be an expert by posting my process -- I just wanted to share how I pulled this one together. It's always interesting to me to see how other artists work. It took me many years to convince myself that it was OK to pursue my dream of being a full-time, professional artist. Now I'm like a sponge -- absorbing all the information I can! I don't want to get to the pearly gates and have to apologize for not using the gifts I was given. I could say that I wish I had done this sooner, but there's no sense dwelling on the past. Full speed ahead!

Psalm 42
36 x 48
Contact the artist to purchase this work

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.

Details, details

Here are a few close-up views of the details that I've been adding to the painting progression from my recent posts. I'm working to keep the painting soft and impressionistic. I hope to post the finishing painting tomorrow! Happy Easter to you and yours!

Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy

Alleluia! This weekend, Christians all over the world commemorate Our Lord and Savior's passion. The Orthodox faith's services will be celebrated next weekend. It's an important reminder of the agony that Christ endured because of His great love for us. I painted this image toward the end of last year during a time of prayer and contemplation. It was given to a very special person who helped me understand the virtue of honoring Jesus' mother as the conduit for His life here on earth. That doesn't mean I give Jesus any less glory. It only adds to the prayers that I include in my life. Mary deserves honor and respect as the Mother of our Lord. Praise God!

First Layer Done

This image shows what I call the completed first layer of this painting. Not all artists work this way, but on a piece as large as this one, I feel more comfortable working in layers. Now the fun begins! I want to add some detail, and work on the lights and shadows. I've received some interesting comments on this progression of my work. Yes, I am scared that the finished painting won't be received well. Yes, I do feel like I'm exposing myself. Maybe it's a means of "paying it forward" for all the artists that have shared their process with me, and those artists who will continue to share their growth. Thank you for following - I'll look forward to hearing from you!

Slowly but Surely...

Day 3 - With this being a fairly large painting, I find myself making adjustments a little more often than I might with a smaller piece. It's kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle -- the closer I get to finishing the work, the more excited I am to see the finished painting (and make sure I'm not missing any pieces)!

And so it begins...

I'm carefully laying in the base layer for this very large painting. I want to be careful not to be too tight with my brush, as I can always add in some details later.

In Progress

This painting is the largest I've attempted so far. I'm a little intimidated by the size of it (36x48) but it's time I stretch myself more. I originally toned this canvas with another painting in mind, but after much thought, I decided to go in another direction. I hope you'll follow along with me and give me your thoughts!