Friday, August 12, 2011

My works from the Richeson Paint Out...

Now that my desktop system is FINALLY upgraded and working...and can properly enhance my images and manage them, I'll catch you up on the paint out from last week.

We were allowed to paint in four different counties the first two days, the third day...had to be in Appleton or Neenah, works turned in between 2-3pm ...to be judged, and exhibition that followed.

For my good...I took such options of locales to imply we should seek out that which was patently unique to each county's history.  That which would not necessarily be found then in another county.  Having grown up in the Green Bay area, I had fond memories of riding the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad...a double decker passenger train with the 400 series engine.  Today...that place has been converted to a fine restaurant and micro brewery, "Titletown Brewing Company"...












Naturally...I wasn't going to paint the football player or football, and had to reach back into my childhood memory remembering red bricks...different arrangements.
 












Here was my set up, off dousman street across from the micro brewery.

 















Here you see me working the paint over a pinkish/orange undertone...and leaving areas open for a train engine to be included...

After four hours of painting, I took all my gear down, packed it in the truck and went to the National Railroad Museum, paid my $9 entree...and was a little disappointed not to find a 400 series engine...but, I did find an old GBW workhorse engine...













Met some nice folks at the museum that worked there, saying my setting up there to paint was a first for them...that is, seeing someone paint.
















20"x 24" oil on pumice panel



Thanks to getting rear ended sitting at a stop light up in Marquette, Michigan...I painted this event in considerable discomfort.  Pain....head pressure, having a whiplash and concussion.  The six hours to complete this first one had me hitting the hay pretty sore first night.  Slept in a bit next or second day, then checked out several sites for possiblities.  I settled on Green Bay's Bay Beach Amusement Park, setting up in shade...and even opting to use a folding chair.  I typically stand...so that was a rarity.

A good crowd...into thousands, parents, children...hitting the rides, enjoying the day.  This one, 22"x 28" oil on pumice panel....
















Typically right after painting, I put the work in a frame...so, you see this one here.  The helicopter ride, a favorite of small children, and ferris wheel peeking in the distance...

Lots of nice folks, people asking questions, making sure their children see an artist working.  Of course funny questions too.  And, typically you hear the comment that is born of surprise, as folks simply have not seen artists working before.

The third and last day, Saturday...I drove to Neenah...remembering a bronze sculpture I noticed driving by a few weeks prior, on a main street...and turned out to be of Thomas Jefferson, sitting on a stone bench taking notes.  I call it, "Thoughts to Pen"...and is 24"x 12" oil on pumice panel...



















As for jurying, came up short this time...but, it was fun painting larger, and purposefully stepping out of my comfort zone subject wise.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Larry-
It's great to see your adventures! Beautiful paintings too - I really like the Jefferson statue; the way it is cropped is interesting. You've managed to portray a bronze figure that nearly looks human. Well done!

Larry Seiler said...

thanks Daniel...much appreciated. Sorry didn't respond sooner. I'm a bit out of it now and then, recovering from a concussion.