Sold

I assume other artists feel a little bit of loss when they sell a painting. It sneaks up on you...just after you've sold it. You convince yourself, of course, that you've got to make a living! A buyer from NY contacted me after seeing "Dove" in a show in FL and wanted to buy it. Being in the business of selling art, we worked out a deal and I shipped the painting. I got the nicest email which I've added below. Paul's note made me feel good about the sale. It's great when someone sees in your work what you saw in it yourself. Thanks Paul.

Dear Martin,
The painting arrived an hour ago, and we are simply delighted with it
and the sketch. The picture is already up on the wall in our
apartment, and we shall treasure it forever. The painting
communicates such grace, such beauty and such peacefulness so that I will never tire of looking at it. It is the perfect spot to focus on
when one needs a spiritual lift. You are a great artist, and I wish
you much success with your future work. I send greetings from our
very wet Long Island. Be well.

Skirt of Many Colors

Katie T in a cool skirt and cowgirl boots. Nice colors and pattern in the dress were fun to work with. My drawings were nothing to write home about...or blog about...but I see some potential in doing something later with the outfit. 15 minute conte and pastel.

Breakfast!

In 1791, George Washington took a tour of the southern states. He stopped at Charles Pinckney's farm in Mt. Pleasant SC(near Charleston)for breakfast. He noted it in his journal. This is an early look at a 4'x6' painting of that scene. Commissioned by the park.

Tutes and Boots

It's a bit of a stretch but if you'll indulge me, I'll explain the title. Sometimes you've gotta' go a ways to come up with something catchy. Some of us were asking the model if she had heard the term "tute" as a slang for tutu. (She had not BTW) Then I noticed that two of our artists were wearing boots and "cha-ching"...I knew I'd hit pay dirt. I think it's got potential..for something...
Emily M modeled and did a great job with her poses. The tutu/leotard combo was really nice...beautiful soft blue color. Drawing shown is 12 minutes, seated pose, leaning on a stool(not shown)conte and pastel.
$225.

Red Headed Lasses

Just for St. Patty's Day here's a couple of older life drawings of red heads. Laura B is "wearin' the green" as she plays guitar. My daughter, Bracey, is shown seated in a chair. Both of these are 4-5 years old. 15 minutes conte and pastel.
$225 each

Alas, poor Katie, I knew her well...*

Model Katie, studied Shakespeare while we drew her. Most of our models are school age and we meet on school nights so it happens on occasion that they'll need to study while posing. Drawing shown is 12-15 minutes, conte and pastel. *I should add that nothing has happened to Katie...just needed a clever little Shakespeare quote for my title!

Winter Final

As winter finally comes to a close, I'm finally finished with "Winter". 24x30, Chelsea S. I'm considering this for the Newnan Artwalk, coming up March 26.

Homecoming Final

Finished with "Homecoming"...unless I decide later I'm not! Full image shown here. 24x30. Katie T.

Black Tutus

Large, 30X40, oil of dancers in black tutus. Chelsea S and Robin V were the models. The softer, muted greens in the grass and landscape are a little different for me but I like it with the black. I plan to have this framed and on display at the upcoming Newnan Artwalk...March 26th.

Take a Load Off Emily

The Band provided musical background while Emily T graced the model stand with her wonderful poses. The reclining pose shown was a much needed break for the model after a couple of physically challenging 15 minute poses. I try to throw in a reclining pose at least once each Monday night. Drawing shown was a 15 minute pose...conte and pastel.

The Agony of Defeat

Both of these paintings were rejected from the Oil Painters of America national show, 2010....I guess everybody couldn't get in?? 2500+ entries....200 or so selected. I'll keep trying...still pouting for now. I'm a new member so this was my first attempt. I understand they also have regional shows. I advise young artists all the time not to take things like this personally. Getting in a show or winning a prize usually comes down to a decision made by one person on one day...another day, another person and who knows, you might take home the blue ribbon. What are you going to do with a bunch of blue ribbons anyway? Well, it does feel good to win one every once in a while:)
Shown: The Lonely Road 24x36 and Open Book 24x30. Both are for sale...a sale would ease that sting a bit...

Can You Draw Better Than A Third Grader?

That's the title of my new reality TV series...jk. Actually this was today at Western Elementary with gifted 3rd graders talking about art. I showed samples, fielded some questions. Awesome group of kids. After telling them that I had moved to Newnan in 1984, one told me that his mom was born just 3 years before that. My knees went out and I had to carried to my wheelchair via a stretcher. To make me feel better, another told me that his grandmother was older than I was. One of my helpers told me that she wished her parents had enough money to have me paint her portrait...oh man:(
Overall, it's always a good time...kids are the best!

Erin H Featuring Santana

OK, Erin modeled tonight and her shoe brand was "Carlos" with a guitar graphic..who knew? Santana's got his own shoe line! Unfortunately, I didn't have any Santana music with me so we listened to a little of this and that and finished with some Dr. Hook...always good. The drawing shown has a "fashion drawing" look which is something that's always appealed to me. I almost took it up as a career just after art school. If Brown Dog Studios had not offered me a job illustrating, I'd have gone into fashion drawing for Rich's in Atlanta. A quick 10 minute study shown. Conte and pastel.