Beach 21, Acrylic

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Size: 28"x20", with 1" border, multi-directional. 
Title: Beach 21 Acrylic
Dated: 2/23/2011

When I first painted the digital Beach 21, (posted last week) it was intended to be the study for this painting, Beach 21 Acrylic.   But I really thought the study could stand on its own as a painting and so posted it and created a listing for it.   After all, it takes as long or longer for me to paint a digital painting, even a study, as an acrylic one and involves the same creative process.  Furthermore it is a medium I like more and more anyway.   And that's how we ended up with two versions of Beach 21. 

Between the two versions I prefer the digital Beach 21 and am now inspired to continue the Beach series with more digital pieces.  What is your oppinion?

Beach 21 #2/12

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Size:  27x41
Medium: Giclee
Date: 2/16/2011

I thought I wanted to paint something Mid Century Modern in style this week.  That's because without intending it, elements of the style kept appearing in my paintings.  So I checked out some books from the library to get a better idea of it.   It wasn't going to be part of the Beach series.  After almost a week of frustration though, in the end, that's exactly what happened.  The Beach won; with some Mid Century Modern features.

Beach 20. SOLD

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Title: Beach 20. (This is number 20 in the series)
Size: 30x40 or 40x30, x 1.5" deep, multi-directional. 
Date:2/9/2011 
Medium: Acrylic on stretched canvas 

I took a brief detour around Beach 19, which is still in the sketching phase, to paint this.  That's because I received a request through the Yessy gallery to paint a commission of something similar to Beach 8.  After explaining that I avoid abstract commissions because, in my experience, it is impossible for a customer to convey a vague, abstract notion of an abstract idea and equally difficult for the painter to understand and paint it.  Since I was about to start another 30 x 40 canvas anyway I said I wouldn't mind playing with the colors she wanted within the concept of Beach 8.  So I guess it is a commission after all...or a semi-commission.

Beach 18, SOLD

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Title: Beach 18. (This is number 18 in the series)
Size: 30x40 or 40x30, x 1.5" deep, multi-directional. 
Date: 1/29/2011 
Medium: Acrylic on stretched canvas

In last week's post I mentioned starting this painting and that I preferred it hanging horizontally.  And here it is hanging vertically anyway!   Not sure which I prefer really.  But today I like it this way. 


eBay has offered another free auction-listings-opportunity.  Sellers pay only if their auction results in a sale.  I have taken them up on the offer again, as I did before Christmas.  And I learned something from the free experience.  Listing at least 10 paintings at one time increases the audience for each listing, resulting in more sales.  On the other side, 10 or more auctions ending on the same day means (if successful) lots of orders to process and shipping to prepare and schedule in one day.   Most of my listings are created and ended on weekends because it seems to be the best time for buyers.  Makes for a busy weekend!

Beach 17

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Title: Beach 17 (Number 17 in the series)
Size: 27x40"
Medium: Acrylic on acid-free vellum paper.
Date: 1/22/2011 

This one was inspired by Beach 11, my favorite and the one I entered into the SDAI International Show.  I really like this one too though.  For some reason the tall, vertical stripes are appealing to me right now.  Although these Beach paintings are truly multi-directional, as you can see if you click on the Title to see more views,  I have been hanging them vertically rather than horizontally here at home.

Today I finished the sketch for Beach 18.  It is multi-directional too, but I seem to prefer  it hanging horizontally.  Looking forward to starting to paint it tomorrow.  Aaron Brothers is having its penny sale.  I picked up two 30x40 canvases and will use one for beach 18. 

Beach 16

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Title: Beach 16 (Number 16in the series)
Size: 27x40"
Medium: Acrylic on acid-free vellum paper.
Date: 1/17/2011 

I made a few attempts to add a twitter button to the blog, with no success.  The best I can do for the moment is to provide this link.   It will take you to my twitter page.   From there, if you wish to "follow" me or anyone else,  just click the "follow" button.  Twitter is more fun than I imagined.  Plus its mandated brevity matches my short attention span!  From my page you can also see Tweets I follow thus far.  Some are quite entertaining and funny.
 

Beach 13, SOLD

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Title: Beach 13 (Number 13 in the series)
Size: 36x53"
Medium: Acrylic on acid-free vellum paper.
Date: 1/8/2011 

For a time it didn't seems as though I would get this one posted.  Got all set up to photograph this morning and was stopped due to my camera's having full memory card.  Got that taken care of and was stopped again because the camera's batteries died and the lens got stuck and would not retract.  Three sets of fresh batteries later plus a call to Canon and finally I was ready to go.  By then the light had shifted!  So I set up in another room where there was still a good light and got some photos that looked at least close to the actual painting.  


Now I am off to Dick Blick in search of a good, acrylic, Manganese Blue.  Neither Artist and Craftsman Supply, Aaron Brothers nor Michaels had one I liked.    I have been using an old Hyplar tube I found at a garage sale long ago.   I don't think this brand exists today.   It's high quality and a rich, deep pigment.  Not a hue.

Beach 12-SOLD

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Title: Beach 12 (Number 12 in the series)
Size: 27x40"
Medium: Acrylic on acid-free vellum paper.
Date: 1/2/2011

Although I have been working on the digital Mid-century modern piece I mentioned in last week's post, it is still a long way from finished and ready to post, or to enter into the SDAI International show.  Besides, I can barely pry myself away from painting these Beach scenes.  Linda, I hold you at least partially responsible, for liking the first two from way back in the 80's so much and encouraging me to do more and to paint in general! 

Ron, who faithfully and gently tells me he doesn't like/understand abstracts, liked Beach 11!  He said he couldn't tell me why, that it was completely emotional.   YES!   BTW, Ron's niece, Ashley Bell, is a budding star.  Here she is at last night's People's Choice Awards.


The retro Typewriter limited edition of 10 is generating a bit of interest on eBay.  I list each print at $9.99 and each goes with multiple bids and slightly higher than the previous edition listed.  I'm up to #3 in the edition.  This little print is earning its keep.  

Got to run, Beach 13 is calling.

Beach 11

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Size: 27x40
Medium: acrylics on paper
Date:  12/27/10

Happy New Year!  

This is my new favorite of the Beach series.  It reminds me a bit of the 1960's tourism and advertising art of Herbert Leupin.  I have noticed that most people have strong opinions about the styles of art in which I work.  Either they like the abstracts only or folk art only or digital only.   A few like two out of three and a fewer still like all three styles.  If you are among those who don't like the abstracts,  you are probably very tired of this series that I have been enjoying too much to stop.    However, I am pondering a new digital/painting/collage as one of two entries into the next SDAI show, which will be an international exhibition.  Maybe you will like that one better.  Laurel, thank you for your contribution to my plan.  It really inspired me to get started on it.  I love brainstorming.

Beach 6-SOLD

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Size: 53x24
Medium: Acrylic on vellum paper
Dated:  11/16/2010

I hope I am not confusing you because I am posting backward a bit here; last week I posted Beach 9 and this week Beach 6.

One of the fun aspects of these abstracts is that they are non-directional. I.E., there is no right-side-up, no up-side-down,  no sideways. Vertically they can work nicely at one end of a hall or corridor or in those often empty walls of a stairway or entry. Or horizontally over a sofa or as shown here, over a fireplace.

This week I created a Twitter account!, just barely.    I still need time to become familiar with it.  Right now it is so foreign that when I am on it I feel lost and I don't quite know what to do with it.  Sometime soon I will add a Twitter button to my blog and you can try Twitter  if you haven't already.