Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Spartan and the Midland in Ludington, MI


   The SS Spartan and the City of Midland 

 
   I saw these ships together many years ago
   while they were moored in their berths in
   Ludington, MI.  The SS Spartan on the left 
   and the City of Midland on the right.

Monday, March 25, 2019

The Middletown

 
    Passing through the Soo Locks

    Watercolor on 140# Arches watercolor
    paper.  20" x 15"

Saturday, June 24, 2017

  Frozen Bog

   19" x 28" Watercolor on 140 lb cold press

   Fabriano Uno watercolor paper.




Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Red House


In search of what painting was like when creativity
flowed freely, the eyes were sharp and the hands didn't
shake.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday, January 8, 2016

The Corp of Engineers

This is a cropped version.  There is another uncropped version which
is unfinished and one other cropped version.  I'm still debating.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Off to see the Orthopedic surgeon again!

Remember in 2010 when I had surgery on my right
shoulder because of a slip and fall?  Well I decided I wanted
a matched set so slipped and fell on the left one.  Surgery Thursday.
Later ya'll

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Round Trip

16 x 16"
Watercolor on
140# Arches Cold Press Paper
2014 #4

Tuesday, January 21, 2014






Little Pops

4x4
Watercolor on 140# 
Arches Cold Press
2014 #3

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Crazy Pads

12x18"
Watercolor on
Fabriano 140# Cold Press
Watercolor paper
2014 #2

Monday, January 13, 2014


Lily Pads
Watercolor
12x18 
On 140# Fabriano cold press
2014 #1

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Before I worried about preservation.


1969, just out of the army and back to work.  Used to just pound out the watercolors, slap a matt on them, cheap frame and plain glass … call it good.  This old steam engine is from a set of 3 that Mary kept for our home.  I didn't discover until too late that so much damage had been done.  All of the leaching from cheap matts and tape have taken a toll on these paintings.  I may try doing new versions and or having them professionally photographed and than digitally corrected and make a small series of digital prints.  Moral of the story, take care of your paintings and preserve them properly.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Blank paper.

Blank paper.

Hello everyone, it's been awhile.
There are many reasons and excuses for the lack
of paintings and posts.  Many changes in family health over
the last two years plus difficult events that mess with the mind.
At least my mind.  Of course I have at least a 100 meaningless
excuses for not painting.

It was a huge mistake to stay away from painting and drawing
for such a long period of time.  It all feels empty now.  I ask
myself questions like, didn't creativity and passion come naturally
before?  Why does color seem to be a mystery now, why do I
doubt my ability now, what happened to confidence?
Hopefully I'll be able to find them again and get back to it.

During the last couple of weeks I've been studying other painters,
watching on line demo's, looking at my books and searching for
ideas.  While doing this I realized something.  Many of my paintings
tell no story and seem to be just pretty pictures that would make
nice wall paper or place matts.  Yeah, yeah, I know, stop with
the pity party.  Pity or not, it's real and factual.  Lorianne will love
this but part of my problem are reference photo's which I take by
the hundreds.  I've been spending a lot of time looking through them
recently hoping for some creative spark.  It would appear that my
tendencies are drive by reference shots with no thought process
just images.  They all seem to be taken on gray overcast days
that are flat as a pancake or sunny days all shot during mid day.
Now that's smart, no shadows, no contrast no common sense.
Plein air, now there's a subject.  I've purchased five easels to use
during painting adventures.  How many have seen the light of
day ... 2.  How many have seen the light in the past 3 years ... 0.

Are you loving this Lorianne?  I'm sure you are.

Well, I've gotten this far and now I can't remember what my original
intent was but at least you all know where I've been and where I
am.  Down the road there may be a post that involves a brush and paint
or pen and ink or finger paints and feet.  Maybe I can get my grandkids to
paint something for me.

Until we meet again and thanks for listening to me drone on!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Old Technique from bye gone days!



Studio paintings from a Dr. Sketchy's session.

Watercolor and blk ink on hot press arches.
both 12 x 16".

Pardon the focus/new camera, bad photographer.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Work in Progress


You certainly can't tell by my blog that I've been spending
many hours in the studio.  Making progress but still not
satisfied with most of the paintings.  I've tried not to linger
to long trying to correct colors and such.  Just a quick trip
to the trash heap.  There are thoughts and some pieces in
progress.  Maybe some day they will appear on this blog.
Don't hold your breath.

Well I'm off to the hospital Monday the 13th for another
operation.  This one is nasty and that's enough said about that.
It has delayed our trip to Florida this year which is a bummer.
Hopefully we'll still get to spend part of March down there.
Once we know the outcome that is.

Off to the studio I go, hi ho!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

His

 
Not a good photo but will do for now.
Transparent watercolor on 
cold press Arches watercolor paper.
14 x 18"

Friday, December 2, 2011

Not the Same


  Tints over tints, wet into wet colors,
blotting, blending, wash aways.  Lots of texture
and accidental effects.  Sometimes lost and
sometimes found.  I've had many conversations with
this painting and finally understand what it
was trying to say.

11" x 15.5"
Transparent watercolor 
Arches 140# watercolor paper