Pushing Paint Around, Self Portrait, Alla Prima

This oil self portrait was painted last night and in the wee hours of the morning. It's on an 12" X 16" wood panel. Just couldn't sleep so thought it would be more productive to paint than watch the infomercials. Besides, I have a figurative show coming up in early May at the Griffin Davis Gallery and mainly what they have selected are portraits and clothed studies. The focus of the show is figures but in day to day slice of life type images. I'm somewhat disappointed that I won't be showing many nudes, since I have a ton of them but I'm not curating the show.

Personally I find self portraits a very helpful and revealing explorations. Like most of us I try not looking in the mirror too long or with my glasses on. So instead, I get the full force of the tole the year has taken on me by painting the occasional self portrait. All joking aside though, a study like this reveals more than just the aging process. It is a great way to freely explore how your brush work and color skills have developed over the years. It also reveals the interior landscape
of ones self, maybe a little too well, and the state of ones life.

Happily, I can say I'm very proud of this painting even if it is of me! The brush work is strong and deliberate while not being fussy and overworked. Yes I wanted to noodle but resisted.
Hmmm, must be making some progress!

Hope this will inspire you to try the same, see what you learn and get out of your tight little circle. So turn on some tunes, get a cup of joe, wine or tea if you must and start swinging that brush. Happy painting!

Chazz

Keeping up with my commitment to paint and blog

Ok, It's December and I've not been following through on my commitment to post regularly on this page. You know all the excuses, too busy, holidays, etc.  So I'm going to modify my commitment. I will paint everyday (I've been good about that one) but the posting each day, well, I just don't have the energy behind that one for now. I feel if I can get on the computer once a week and attend to this I'll be doing well with it.

Each week I'll post images of what I've done and give an overview of what the pieces were about, thoughts, feelings, high and low points etc. I'll also post any events or happening in my process to reach out and make my work more visible to the world.

 



So you've scrolled through the new work for the week, enjoy and leave a comment if you see something you like, have some critical advice of just want to ask a question. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Better day, moving forward.

I ended yesterday with a few hours painting and produced a good solid little painting of avocados around midnight. Not a bad way to end the day!  

I had woken up early and got right to painting after a hard day yesterday. I started with a tangelo which I peeled in a spiral. I took some time looking at it from various angles with extreme lighting and settled on a composition that was landscape in nature. I started quickly checking the proportions and blocking in the shadows and light areas. Then moved into the mid-tones which pretty much completed the painting. I hit the painting again with the final layers of strong light and then found and restated the darkest accents in the piece. In all I was pleased with the result.  Even better the piece sold 5 hours after I had completed it.

Tomorrow brings the gallery opening reception and a chance to meet a larger circle of friends. If you read this please feel free to leave comments and any thoughts you might have. Your feedback is always welcomed. 

I'm uploading some new pieces I finished. I've been painting at least one of these a day and thus far happy with the results. Feel free to comment, I'd be happy to know your 

thoughts. This is part of my painting a day series that I intend to continue till I build up my eye and skills and

I can turn off my brain and let it flow.