DAY 26 of 30 - Prep for Nests

Today I spent some time doing prep for some nests. 

The top image is a circular canvas prepped with a crackle surface. Crackle is not easy, being a combination of the chosen surface, type of crackle, type of underpaint, type of overpaint, thickness of application, type of application (brush, roller, spray) thickness of application and just sheer luck. Each different combination produces a different result and there are thousands of possibilities. 

Once you know what you’re doing, you can make choices, but never totally control the outcome. I’m getting better at it and having the pressure of a challenge forced me to figure it out once and for all. I like the way this is going.

This is a cast metal tree I’m repurposing for a nest stand. I will have to make the nest about 3 or 4 inches to fit in the crook, but I think it will look great when done. I try not to repurpose cast and wrought metal because its heavy to ship, but this piece was too special to go to the landfill. PS thats the fireplace behind which I redesigned last summer, right on trend.

One of the other pieces I worked on is a chateau chic candle stand which I’m also repurposing for a nest stand. I’ve used three different colored but similar chalk paints and left some of the raw dark wood exposed on the inner section to enhance the amazing hand carving done by the previous artisan.  Its gonna be hard to let this one go.

30DCG2020  and ODP

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR - IMPRESSIONIST

I will probably be criticized for this, but Renoir is not one of my favourite painters. I can't quite put my finger on it, but his style seems a bit too sweet, perhaps reminiscent of the overly romantic Baroque style. Nonetheless, I did enjoy studying his style.

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR

Born in Limoges, France, 25 February 1841

He was the son of poor tailor and at an early age he was sent to a porcelain factory to learn a trade. So he started work as a Limoges porcelain painter, and there may be Limoges plates or candy dishes out in the world that bear his brushwork.

As an artist, his early work was influenced by Gustav Courbet. He was freinds with Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederick Bazille and he even painted with Monet in Bougival in 1869. He exhibited alongside the Impressionists in 1874,1876, 1877 and 1882.

In 1870 Renoir became a Cuirassier in the Franco-Prussian War and perhaps that inspired a certain wander lust, because he painted in many locations including Bougival, Argenteuil, Cagnes, Algeria, and Italy. In 1888, he began spending his winters in the south of France.

HE EXHIBITED AT THE FIRST IMPRESSIONIST EXHIBITION

Died 3 December 1919 in Cagnes, France

PARIS IN MAGENTA

PARIS IN MAGENTA
by Sea Dean
7" x 5" Canvas Panel



I love Paris and I love this painting which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower at night. The fabulous display of sparkling lights continues at various times throughout the night and Paris virtually comes to a standstill as tourists and Parisians alike stand in awe at the sight. 

To find out more about the lights click here.

FLOWER TREE

FLOWER TREE
by Sea Dean
4" x 4" Canvas Panel
Available on Artfinder



This painting can be framed or displayed on a tiny easel (available on request).

CREST OF THE WAVE

CREST OF THE WAVE
by Sea Dean
7" x 5" Canvas Panel
Available on Artfinder



This painting has lashings of texture and energy. Now available in my Artfinder Shop.

SILVER SEA

SILVER SEA
7" x 5" Canvas Panel
Purchase on Artfinder



This mixed media painting is full of energy and spark. It is part of the BLING series and is now available in my Artfinder shop.

BIKING AROUND BRITAIN SLIDE TOUR - Sunset at Mepal

SUNSET AT MEPAL
by Sea Dean
8" x 10" Commission
NFS

My good cyber friend Bob Jones has scored again by sending me a wonderful travelog of his cycling trip around the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales in 2011.

https://bobjones.smugmug.com/Round-Britain-cycling-2011/

Bob is no young man and this trip was his retirement celebration, so I have to really hand it to him for his determination. He cycled through wind, rain, freezing cold, heat, and bike repairs, (and the occasional stop at a pub) but he made it home. I've never met Bob, but I get the feeling we'd get along because we both have a crazy streak.

The painting above is from an image Bob took on another more local trip near his home in England. I sent it to him as a thank you for helping me with images for my still unfinished book on my home village. Must get back to that!

If you have a favorite image you would like me to paint, I love taking requests. My prices are surprisingly low. My landscapes are gaining recognition and are even on display at the local airport Skyway shop, which is notoriously difficult to achieve. My commissioned pet portraits are also very popular.

My small works can be seen and purchased at Daily Paintworks

Thank you for visiting my blog.

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - MAURICE CULLEN

I know it's the wrong time of year for snow scenes, but Maurice Cullen knew how to paint winter. I chose these because they show his mastery of colour, but his monotone winter landscapes are even better. Maurice Cullen is not a very well known name, but it should be. I'm awestruck by his sense of composition and treatment of paint. As a landscape painter, I can attest to how difficult it is to create a painting with such likeability. Here is my homage to a snow king on his birthday.


To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks.


MAURICE CULLEN

Maurice Galbraith Cullen (1866–1934) was a Canadian landscape artist born June 6, 1866 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Although he was born in Newfoundland, the family moved to Montreal, Quebec when he was four years old. When he was 22 he traveled to Paris to study painting, where he fell under the influence of the impressionists. 

Later on, he served with Canadian forces in the First World War, where he came to the attention of Lord Beaverbrook, who arranged for a commission as an official war artist. He therefore joined the ranks of great war artists, alongside Frederick Varley, J.W. Beatty and C.W. Simpson.

Maurice Cullen returned from the war and lived out his life in Quebec, passing away March 28, 1934, at Chambly, Québec.

DESIGNER NEST

DESIGNER NEST
5" x 7"
Mounted in a black frame
SOLD

I was surprised that this painting didn't sell fast, but possibly that is because it is so unique and most buyers in our area are quite conservative.

The painting is part of my popular nest series and the eggs in it really pop because I spent a huge amount of time creating the effect. That time is never lost though, and the next time I go to paint a nest with eggs I will remember the technique. The other unique feature is that I collaged some real feathers into the artwork. Possibly in a craft show this would be more appreciated than in a gallery location. However, some astute customer snapped it up at Ritchcraft, which is a framing shop with a bijou gallery stuffed with all kinds of creative knick knacks.

BLUE HORIZON

BLUE HORIZON by Sea Dean

BLUE HORIZON
8" x 10" Canvas Panel



I completed this painting some time ago and it became a Daily Paintworks Pick of the Day. I created and sold many art cards of it, but the sky always bothered me. When I cleared out my studio at the end of last year it went onto my "rework" pile.

Today I added some blush to the sky and the water as a reflection. Then the beach needed tweaking and I gave it a pink Bermuda sand look. As usual, I pretty much redid the whole painting. :) I think it has more action and vibrancy now. I hope you like it.

BLUE HORIZON before tweaking

SOLD - YUKON by Sea Dean

Yukon
8" x 10" canvas panel
16" x 20" wide white wooden frame
SOLD

This is another painting that sold during the Lake Country Coffee House solo exhibition. It has a long and varied history which I will share with you.

Back in 2011 I was staying with friends on Vancouver Island. One morning they showed me a photo in a newspaper of an indistinct and linear range of mountains in pastel shades of blue. When I had time, I painted this scene from memory, but I was never happy with the result. I don't think pastel shades work well with acrylics and at that time I hadn't discovered molding paste or gel. I put the painting aside.

A year or two later I found the painting and thought I would work on improving it, with my new skills. I added a fair amount of color and added a creek and water, but held back from changing the composition, because that was my initial inspiration. I thought it would spoil the simplicity and I also have a horror of what I call "chocolate box" compositions. I let the painting rest.

A few days later I realized that the painting was missing a foreground and decided to place a tree in the sweet spot. Suddenly it was infinitely more interesting and inviting. I still wasn't super happy, but I posted in my online shop. It didn't sell.

When curating my solo exhibition I found my favorite frame, a very wide, plain white wooden frame and I knew I wanted to use it on a particular wall. I took out all my 8" x 10" paintings and tried them in the frame one by one. As soon as I popped YUKON into the frame I knew I had a winner. All that time there was nothing wrong with the painting, it just needed a powerful frame.

I have started adding pictures to my shop of how an unframed painting would look either matted or framed and now I know why. Most paintings look good on a deep gallery wrap canvas, or with a simple frame, but others need a bit of pizzaz.


http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/2016/04/yukon.html

FREE SPIRIT

FREE SPIRIT by Sea Dean - 5" x 7" Floral Abstract

$60 unframed
Contact me to purchase as this painting is currently on exhibition.

I've always liked this painting, but I think it shows best when framed. For this exhibition I chose a raw wood frame which can be painted to match any decor, or left "au natural". The flower has some tasteful iridescent paint in the center which doesn't show well in images but looks amazing on the wall.

This painting is for sale, first come first served. I have other paintings I can exchange for in the exhibition, but I just need to check that it hasn't sold before I take payment. Then I can ship it within a few days. Framing available for a small extra cost.

THE VINEYARD

THE VINEYARD
5" x 7" Canvas Panel
White Frame



One of my favourite paintings from last year. I'm showing it because tomorrow it will be on the main wall of my solo exhibition. It's very difficult to paint vineyards realistically, and I have several unfinished paintings from last year to attest to it. This is one of the survivors.

YUKON

YUKON
by Sea Dean
8" x 10" Canvas Panel
In spectacular wide white designer frame



You may have noticed that I haven't been online lately supporting all my painter friends and I haven't even shown you my postcards from the swap. I've certainly been painting though. I've given my new studio space a trial by fire in the last 10 days. The reason for all this is that an important solo show was offered me and I'm focused on preparation.

I've been trying to get into this venue for four years and my number finally came up. There are many reasons I should have said no. 1. I've painted very little new work so far this year. 2. I'm in the middle of renovations. 3. I've had to relocate my studio into a storage room. 4. I'm knee deep in spring submissions. 5. Half my paintings are in storage and the other half are already on exhibition.

So what did I do??? I said yes of course.

Exhibitions are hard work, but solos are over the top. In the past 10 days I've prepared over 60 paintings. Tweaked little bits, re-framed, curated, written signs and even painted some new works. Tomorrow is the last day before I hang on Saturday morning and I'm almost done. Yay!

I'm still waiting for some frames and mats to arrive and if they don't I'm going to have to shift the plan a bit. Apart from that, I have a bit of printing, packing the works according to hanging pattern and get a large painting from storage.

The exhibition runs for a month leading up to Mother's Day in Canada on May 8th. I've chosen many small works and framed them for gift giving. I also have a stand with small prints, art cards, and matted original ACEO. Prices run from $3 to $690, so something for every Mum and every bank account.

One of the balls I had to drop this week was photographing all the new work, tweaks, frames etc., so I have nothing new to show you. However, a surprise last minute entry for the show was this painting of a mountain range in the Yukon. I was looking through some landscapes and I realized that this painting hasn't had much exposure locally. My beautiful wide white designer frame returned from another exhibition and when I tried it on this painting it was a match made in heaven. Sorry no pic of it in the frame, but this is the frame with an angel painting in it. As you see, it's about 16" x 20" and quite heavy to ship, but well worth it.

When I've hung the exhibition, I will get busy and post a few pics of the show. Then I'll endeavor to catch up with all the stuff I haven't posted in the last couple of weeks.

PATHWAY TO HEAVEN by Sea Dean

PATHWAY TO HEAVEN
4" x 4" Canvas Panel



A spot of color for a dark corner. That should brighten up your day and bring on spring. Don't know why spring things are pastel. Why not burst out of winter with a bang!

ROBERT DELAUNAY - MY INNER CIRCLE

MY INNER CIRCLE
by Sea Dean
after Robert Delaunay
4" X 4" Canvas Panel
Mini Master



My take on Robert Delaunay's work as a mini master. This one totally makes my heart sing. I love the unusual mixes in the rainbows and the vibrant inner sun. It also appeals to my desire for organization and lack of clutter. This would be eye popping in the powder room of a modern apartment.

See more of Delaunay's work here

FRANK JOHNSTON - LOOKING BACK

LOOKING BACK
4" X 4" Canvas Panel
after Frank Johnston
(will ship after March 15th)



Very similar style and color scheme to yesterday's painting and can be purchased and shipped together. Great little paintings for a den or upmarket man cave. This is also a mini master painted in honor of Frank Johnston on his birthday.

I would have to check with my gallery, but it's possible I would be able to mount it in the exact same frame as WAITING FOR THE TIDE.

STUDY IN UMBER AND ORANGE

STUDY IN UMBER AND ORANGE
5" x 7" Canvas Panel



My final wintry scene before my thoughts turn to the joys of spring. This is an abstract in thick impasto and you can enjoy it as a non-representational piece of art or make of it what you will. The sweeping strokes could be a ski slope, a wintry road or ocean foam.

I love this piece and as you can see in the image, it fits with any decor. The piece can be framed or for a more contemporary look, hang as a panel with an adhesive hanger.

DAY 14 - FAMOUS ARTISTS BIRTHDAY - HENRI FANTIN-LATOUR - SELFIE 1858

SELF PORTRAIT 1869

IGNACE HENRI JEAN THEODORE FANTIN-LATOUR

Gosh, what a mouthful. I wonder if his friends called him Iggy. Nonetheless he was born 14 January 1836 in Grenoble, France with the same birth date as Impressionist Berthe Morisot.

He studied under Gustav Courbet in 1862 and exhibited at the Salon des Refusees in 1863. He painted flowers, still life, self portraits and interpreted music in paint. He was also a lithographer.

Fantin-Latour was a friend of Edouard Manet and their influence on each other is apparent in their respective work. Although his cataglogue mostly pre-dates them, along with many famous impressionists, he was part of the group at the Cafe Guerbois.

SELF PORTRAIT 1858

Fantin-Latour looks very charismatic in his self-portraits (of which there are many), therefore it's no surprise that he was a friend of Manet. I chose to paint a portrait because his flowers are highly detailed and would take longer than the constraints of daily painting. I'm not generally a watercolorist or portrait painter, so this was a good exercise for me.

25 August 1904 Died at Bure, France in the Champagne region.

Here is my version of the 1858 self-portrait. A self-portrait is one of the easiest things for an artist to paint because the model is at hand and you don't have to pay them. However, emotionally, I think it is one of the bravest choices. I'm not that brave yet.

FANTIN-LATOUR SELFIE by Sea Dean

On first glance these two portraits look very similar, but as I was painting I realized that the 1858 portrait showed a much less mature person in more than looks.
He was 22 in the earlier portrait and 33 in the later one. I believe that Fantin-Latour chose the same stance, lighting and artists' smock to measure his aging and progress as an artist.

I journeyed through many stages, trying to decide just how closely I wanted the portrait to resemble the original. First, it was a simple exercise to learn more about the medium, but as often happens during a portrait, I began to communicate with the sitter on a deeper level. I was fascinated by what I was revealing. In 1858 the subject appears very young, with a passion for life, even though he chose a serious pose. By 1869 he appears wary and the spark of youth is gone. I feel I should paint the 1869 portrait now, to reveal the secrets hidden in the shadows.



3.5 x 4.75
Mixed Media on French watercolor paper
SHIPPING 16th MARCH 2016 OR LATER

SOME PAINTINGS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING FROM MY OUTLETS AS NOTED IN DESCRIPTION ON DAILY PAINTWORKS

Cat # 16007
# 17 on 30 in 30 blog

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

ANGEL I
Acrylic with Iridescent words



I want to take the opportunity to thank all my followers, patrons, curators, gallery owners, volunteers and anyone I may have forgotten. Without this huge backing group my work would remain unseen and unloved in the back of my closet. You inspire me each day to learn, improve, socialize and get my work out into the world.

Happy Holidays to all!