Du Jour 9

Day 9 and I'm almost a third of the way through my September painting challenge. I've more scribbles for today's painting in pink and yellow. I enjoy connecting the dots ... is it as simple as this, as metaphor? Hmmm, just thought of this. Interesting. I'll give that more thought another day. As well as the lines connecting, I like the open spaces relative to the connections. I think, too, the lines keep the viewer's eye moving and I like that movement in the painting.

So, here be it:

I've been matting and framing some small scale photographs to ship down to Redlands, CA for a show take-in on the 20th of this month. There is a theme: Redlands Celebration. I've tinkered with some of my original photographs so that they look like serigraphs. I'll upload those photographs tomorrow, along with the painting of the day.

Bon Jour ... Du Jour 6

Well, kiddies, today's exercise is an example of a painting overdone! I should have just stopped messing with it, but kept adding and subtracting and adding. (I still want to do something else to it--will I never learn?)

But, alas, it is what I have for today.

Again, Shiva Artist's Paintstiks on canvas board. This one is, I think, 6" x 8." Tomorrow's another day, another painting :o)

Du Jour 5 ... continued ...

Because this painting exercise is all in the spirit of exploration and trying to push my own bad habits, I took the photograph of yesterday's painting exercise and applied a couple of effect filters to see what the same painting would look like if I had used a different technique or approach.

These two were fun and I like the relative loose quality. I would have had difficulty achieving these effects with the medium I was using, but fun to see possibilities for exploration.

Du Jour 4

Yesterday I enjoyed playing with the circles in yellow, but in today's exercise painting, I went a little further with drawn lines into the oil medium. It seems contrived, but I like all the squiggly lines. Perhaps I can play more with them so they appear more organic and less deliberate, if you know what I mean.

I'm feel a bit constrained working within this small 5" x 7" format, but I think it's a good discipline lesson. I'll stay with it for the time being.

As I worked in the colors and the ovals, I was reminded of the work of Gill Daft, an acrylic painter in Redlands, CA. At one time I collected a number of his large acrylic paintings. Many of his paintings incorporated large ovals, bright colors. I haven't thought about his work in many a year. Nice to think of him again.


If not familiar with my Etsy store with my original photographic images, I suggest you check out www.kweststudio8.etsy.com. Let me know what you think!

Painting du jour (Day 1)

This is another 5" x 7" Shiva Oil Paint Artist's Paintstik painting.

I didn't really notice when I bought the "mini assortment" that all the colors were iridescent. It makes for a different overall appearance when everything is iridescent. Que sera ...

I'm going to have to take the photographs of the paintings during the day to take advantage of natural light, or rig up a more effective lighting arrangement, as the colors in the photograph don't convey the brights or deep color saturation of the painting. I've also put the 5" x 7" in an old wood frame I had sitting around--really old--because the painting seemed to convey better framed.

(I'm trying not to get too picky. These blog entries are just to keep a running chronicle of the daily paintings. Jeez! Maybe my photographic endeavors will result in better product photographs by the end of the month, eh? Much room for necessary improvement.)

In any case, here's today's painting ... (drum roll)

What? More trash? Ya gotta be kidding ...

It's there! It's offensive! I can't just close my eyes to it! I can't stop walking the dog! So, succumb to the deed, I do.  As my sister Sandy remarked, all that bending and reaching is good exercise. Yea verily! It's not as bad as some addictions, right?

So, here are today's Trash Collection iPhoto and Day 179 ...

June 28, 2011


Trash Collection VI ... Boom!




White Horse or Zebra?



Beginnings ...

Everything has a beginning, and this beginning feels a little raw. As time progresses the recipe for this blog may result in a savory concoction. That's my intent at least.

I should be using photographic metaphors, eh? But I haven't eaten and so considerations of what I'm going to fix for dinner are traipsing about my noggin. I have things in the refrigerator at home to make a lovely frittata, but I think the expiration date on the carton of eggs has come and gone.

This blog seems to be starting out the same way; not enough substance in which to sink one's teeth. I have some insights I want to share, but other concepts aren't yet ready for use. If I wait until everything is just right, I may go off on a tangent and not get back to this beginning.

Suffice it to say--it will have to--that I want to share my experiences with the development of KWest Studio 8, wherein I'll play and experiment with art made with a camera.

But right now, forget about fixing dinner! I think I'll head to Paso Del Norte and let them feed me! I didn't want to mess around in the kitchen anyway! M-m-m-m-m Something a little hot and spicy!

I'll begin with a Corona and lime! Ole!