Smith on her Shoes

The painting is a "redo" of an earlier painting that didn't quite work for me. There was enough about it that I liked so I kept it for several years and would occasionally take a look at it to see if anything struck me as a possible improvement. It finally dawned on me that it needed drastic action. I changed the tutu from white to black, repainted the background and foreground, worked more detail into the hands and feet and re-cropped the piece from a 30x40 to a 20x40. Most every square inch was repainted. I'm offering the companion life drawing to the buyer of the painting. Email me for a price quote.

SC Bound

This painting has been accepted into the Artfields inaugaral show in Lake City, SC. The show and art festival runs April 19-28. See their site for information about all that's going on. http://www.artfieldssc.org/about/lake-city/ There will be a "People's Choice" award so please, if you're able, go see the show and vote for someone's work that you enjoy. This painting, of dancer Chelsea S, is a favorite of mine and I'm proud to have been accepted. Gotta get it ready for shipping!

Standing Dancer

Studio sketch of dancer Chelsea S. Conte and pastel...approx 22x11 on a toned paper. Nice standing pose. $225.

Fluff

Painting of dancer Chelsea S "fluffing" her tutu. 24x30 on panel. I've done two paintings on panel at this large size and like the results. I'm going to try to get a smoother finish in the gesso coat next time.

Detail of "Fallen Flower"...shows some of the brushwork with the brights and flats I've been using.

Fallen Flower

In the final stages with this painting. I just set it into a frame and it looks really nice. The frame that I've had for several years is perfect. I'll post a photo of it in the frame later. "Fallen Flower" is the working title for now. Model- Chelsea S. 22x28

24x30 painting of dancer, Chelsea S. I like the upward glance and the juxtaposed angle of the tutu. I also like the off-centered point of interest. Continuing to play around with looser backgrounds and different brushes.

New painting of model Chelsea S. "Flight"...24x30. Been trying to loosen up a bit...also using more "flats" and "brights" along with my usual "filberts". Still a couple of minor edges to soften but pretty much done.

Mr. Blue

New painting of dancer Chelsea S in a sky blue tutu...aka blutu. I also just heard ELO on Pandora, hence the title of this entry. Smaller painting than normal for me...18x24. Similar background to a recent painting..."Hidden". Full art and detail shown.

Etsy Highlight

One of my favorite life drawings in recent years. This 15 minute conte and pastel of dance model Chelsea S has really nice form and lines. I like pretty much everything about it. Did a painting from this pose but it lost something in the translation. See more original drawings for sale at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/martinpate

Moon Hanger

New painting of dance model, Chelsea S. Not sure where I was going with this...just wanted to paint something wondrous...magical. 24x30. Debuts at the Newnan Artwalk, March 25th. I'll be at Flint Gallery...featured artist!

Last Dance

Final on the painting of Robin V and Chelsea S. 24x30 oil on canvas.

Embracing the New Year

New, unfinished painting of embracing dancers. Chelsea S and Robin V were the models. Love the emotion here as well as the pyramidal design. "Last Dance" is the working title. 24x30 oil

Quiet Moment

Final on 20x24 painting of Chelsea S. Current title is "Quiet Moment". This will be on view at DE Fine Art for the May Buckhead Artwalk in Atlanta...first Thursday in May....May 6th. I'll have some other new works on view and as of now, I plan to be there.

Painting underway of dancer, Chelsea S. Sort of a "pre-performance" pose. 20x24. I'm planning on showing this at the May Buckhead Artwalk...first Thursdays. DE Fine Art Gallery. I'll have other new works there as well. I'll post a final on this later and give more information on the art walk.

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.

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.

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.

Winter

In honor of the winter Olympics, I've painted an allegorical work called "Winter". Actually, I started this painting last year as a fairly normal, realistic, true color painting of dancer Chelsea S. As with other works that I'm not 100% happy with, I tacked it up in the studio to "look at" for a while. Over time, I gradually kept painting everything but the hands and the rose back to a cool, lower key, blue. It took it's own direction...I followed. It represents something I'm really looking forward to...winter's transition into spring. Shown 85% complete here. 24x30. Click on the image for a better look.

Florida Bound

"Dove" is flying to Punta Gorda, FL in a few weeks to the 7th Biennial National Exhibition of art..actually, it's going in a truck but it'll be in the show Feb 12 - March 12. Don't know if I'll get down there for the opening but I'm keeping it on my wish list. 138 works chosen from 720 entries.