M.Pate MPate M Pate Artist Art Illustration...this is only a test...do not adjust your blog

I've got so much work "out there" that is signed "M. Pate", illustration, paintings etc. I wondered that if someone searched that online, would I show up. It appears not. This is a test to see if maybe that search might now bring them to my blog, if I included M. Pate enough. Time will tell...I'll report back...as you were. MPate (M.Pate)

Bye Bye Birdie

...........Approx 10 minute sketch from tonights class. Laura P model came as "Rosie" from Bye Bye Birdie..even brought her own music! While not perfect, I liked this drawing enough to post...always been "drawn" to reclining poses. I've been drawing with conte since the late 70's and just discovered tonight that the sticks are magnetic..at least the "bistre" ones are.

The Meeting Place

............24x30 oil on canvas of girl in woods. Model, Erin. Another in a running series of models in the middle of forests. It's just a combination I like. To me, being in the woods, alone, is very peaceful but slightly scary at the same time. In this piece, the model takes center stage and the "stage", or the woods, is secondary. I tried to keep everything subdued except for the red hat. Available.

Sailboat in St. Marys Harbor

...................This painting came from a recent trip to St. Marys and Cumberland Island Georgia. I realized after I got home and was looking at my photos that the name of this boat was "The Red Witch". The color caught my eye and the composition of the marsh grass and shadows seemed paint worthy. "Red Witch in St. Marys Harbor" is an 11 x 14 oil on panel and is available.

Messenger

.......................This painting started out with an older dancer sitting on one of three stone blocks, outdoors. Later it became colored cubes in a landscape. Even later, it became a group of young dancers on stage with candles. The cubes always remained in some form but the entire painting later took on a somewhat sinister feel to it. In my mind, the child is a messenger of sorts, perhaps she's symbolically bringing light to a dark place...I don't know....just kept working with it until if felt right. 24x30 oil on panel.

New Tutu

...................15 minute drawing from tonights class. Great pose, model Robin S. Another good crowd. Conte and pastel.

Back in the Saddle

..............It was great to be drawing from life again. The "art house" where we meet has been undergoing renovation and repairs all summer. A good crowd returned last night and drew dance model, Laura H, during a fierce thunderstorm. This drawing was approx 15 minutes. Conte and pastel.