child of a working man

8x6 oil on canvas panel

Crystal Lee Sutton, the inspiration for the film and the character Norma Rae, passed away last month. Crystal Lee's obituary describes how cancer medication was delayed by her health insurance company. Don't get me started.

Bless the child of a workin' man.
She knows too soon who she is.
And bless the hands of a workin' man.
He knows his soul is his.
-- "It goes like it goes," written by Norman Gimbel

paper rose

6x8 oil on paper

I had a quick opportunity, so I tried the rose again, this time on gessoed watercolor paper. It was an interesting surface, similar to board. After initially sinking in, the paint maintains a nice level of luminosity.

Paper Roses, Marie Osmond
When I was a kid, my Dad sang this to me as "pepperoni."

Sandra's Rose

10x8 oil on canvas panel

I never planted a rose bush until a neighbor gave me a lovely Don Juan climber. It is dark and velvety, with a really nice fragrance. Come to think of it, so is my neighbor. (She's awesome. She's on my list of people I want to be like when I grow up.)

Exploring all those reds was interesting. I wanted to paint not the idea of a rose, but this rose, in this light. It is my hope that this will sharpen my perception and my paint mixing...eventually!

Garden Rose, Kris Delhorst
Rose in my Garden, Karla Bonoff

dimming datura

8x6 oil on canvas panel

I chased the light, and also the flower. The Datura changed shape while I worked, sitting in the front yard in the late afternoon. I was interested in the gesture of the blooms. They are large and on the move. I'm actually a little afraid of them. I think they may try to eat me.

This plant, hallucinogenic or toxic depending on the dose, is near a brick wall. I couldn't think of how to represent brick without looking cartoonish, so I went for the color. It's a study, a reason to push paint.

Can I just say how much I appreciate my blogging pals?! I learn so much by observing their work and reflections. And I feel very supported and encouraged. Um, that makes my friends sound like a push-up bra. I guess that makes me a boob.

Dimming of the Day, Linda Thompson

not empty

6x8 oil on canvas panel

I usually paint in solitude, and that suits me. But I had the opportunity to paint with friends, and I really enjoyed it. Exchanging ideas and sharing encouragement was uplifting. We will continue to paint together, then present our Paintings from the Patio at Elan Gallery, Sept. 25th.

I hadn't painted in three, count'em, three months. I returned to an old habit of scrubbing with thin paint. It's a habit which is hard to relinquish because I sometimes get happy moments of layered color that please me. Maybe I'm really a pastel or colored pencil artist, and just haven't discovered it yet.

heartfelt peony

9x7 oil on canvas panel

Here is an incomplete rendering of a peony from my garden. I painted this in June, allowing myself a quick break between visits to the hospital, where my parents were playing musical beds. It was a scary time, with Mom finding out just how useful her internal defibrillator is, and Dad experiencing health troubles also. They are both doing fairly well now. Normal life has resumed, although at a slower pace.

Hopefully, I'll get back into a rhythm of painting soon. I need a jolt, maybe not a defibrillator, but perhaps a kick in the rump.

Earl Grey, hot

6x6 oil on board

This felt good! I haven't painted in weeks, nor have I spent quality time with my blogging pals. There are quite a few artists online with whom I'd love to sit and have a cuppa.

I follow an embarrassingly large number of blogs. It is a celebration of people as well as the art they create. I enjoy reading about the sordid lives of the Pre-Raphaelites as much as the next person, but I am fascinated to learn what present day artists, of all levels of experience or education, are thinking and feeling when they work.

As for me, I was thinking, "boy, this old paint is gummy" and "I wonder if I put enough money in the parking meter." I painted this in an hour. I made myself walk away before I started to nit-pick or tidy up. There is something about this piece- the hues, the color washed background, the thrift store tea pot?- which feels like home. It feels like me.

Feels like Home, sung by Linda Ronstadt, written by Randy Newman.
Home, sung by Bonnie Raitt, written by Karla Bonoff

studying art and history

These are studies from a few weeks ago. I hope to try again while I still have daffodils in the yard. I haven't had the chance to paint or to comment on blogs lately.

We recently spent a few days in Philadelphia. We toured some historic sites, very inspirational, and we spent a day at the art museum. No, I did not run up the steps.

The exhibit Cezanne and Beyond was well planned, with an audio tour. It was interesting to see the ways in which Cezanne's work influenced artists who followed, but I was mainly focused on him. We also viewed a healthy collection of European Art 1850-1900.

As we headed back to Pittsburgh, we took a detour to Chadds Ford, to visit the Brandywine River Museum. It was so great to see the work of Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth, oh the many Wyeths. I lingered over Andrew's work, some of which included a written statement of his thoughts. It was heartening to see a painting dated 2008.

Our next stop was Shanksville, where we paid our respects at the Flight 93 temporary memorial. I was nearly oblivious to gentle rain and cold air as I stared out over the barren, sacred field. For a moment I imagined I was in a Wyeth painting, an expanse on the cusp of color. I'm at a loss to describe everything else I felt. I still have a lump in my throat.

strawberry study 22

I've been busy doing Mommy stuff lately, so I've had little time for painting or blogging. I spent a few days at the sewing machine, and from where I was working, I heard our backyard wind chimes. The chimes kept playing a series of notes from the Brothers Johnson song, Strawberry Letter 23. It reminded me that I painted these strawberries a few weeks ago, and never got around to posting, partly because they are studies to help me figure out why I can't seem to paint strawberries. If the chimes played Wipeout it would be just as appropriate, since that was the fate of 2 other studies.

garlic and onion

6x8 oil on canvas panel

Most of my cooking starts with garlic and onion. I can't think of a dish that doesn't start with garlic and onion. If you come over for dinner, bring dessert, to ensure that it doesn't have garlic and onion.

Fred

8x10 oil on canvas

When we enter our home, we remove our outdoor shoes. Inspired by Japanese custom, this is the first line of defense against household toxins. When I enter my studio, I change my shoes and put on an old cardigan. The fraying, paint covered sweater is more Kurt Cobain than Fred Rogers, but I often think about dear Fred when I perform this ritual.

Today is Mr. Rogers' birthday. I live pretty close to his neighborhood. He was a lovely man whom I hold in high esteem. I like him just for being him.

I never fail to be moved by this clip of Fred Rogers speaking before the Senate in 1969.

welcome

10x8 oil on panel

What was I thinking?! A pineapple? I gave up swearing for Lent, so this was a challenge. This was an arduous exploration of color and texture. Actually, I like the process of searching for color. I don't mind getting it wrong a few times on the way. Since I'm too lazy to make charts, I should save my palette paper, because those are my charts. I read something once that advised not mixing more than 2 or 3 colors, ever. Bullshit. (25¢ for the swear jar.) Some really luscious colors, sophisticated colors, require a more involved recipe.

Since I knew I wasn't going to achieve a certain level of realism, I had the freedom to play a little. The tiles or scales of the pineapple are colorful calligraphy. This was the first time I felt comfortable painting on a gessoed panel. The smoothness was my ally for brush strokes and luminosity.

The background of the painting is a terracotta wall in the second room of my studio, the clean room. When I moved in, I painted, installed a picture rail, and glazed a stencil pattern to look time-worn. I built a bookcase, from recycled wainscoting, to fit in an unused doorway. Welcome to my studio.

s'awright

6x8 oil on canvas panel

It's been a rough couple of months, with both of my parents and both of my in-laws having health issues. I had to kick my own butt into the studio, and I enjoyed the painting time. I like this piece. For some reason it makes me think of Señor Wences.

No cadmium, folks. I cleaned up my act.

foiled again

6x6 oil on board

This metallic foil is driving me crazy. I had to try it again, it's so cool, but it's driving me crazy nonetheless.

My hubby likes dark chocolate. I'll give him some kisses for Valentine's Day.

Passionate Kisses, Lucinda Williams
Like a Star, Corinne Bailey Rae
Your Love, Keb' Mo'

bittersweet

5x7 oil on canvas panel

My husband has it easy, and he knows it. I never want anything for Valentine's Day. I don't need jewelry or perfume, or any junk from this week's sale flyers. All I want is his exquisite love.
And a pony.

You are the Best Thing, Ray Lamontagne

When She Believes, BenHarper
I Carry Your Heart, Michael Hedges

tango

6x11 oil on canvas

I have been painting for one year. It may seem as if I'm just dabbling, but I really do want to learn learn learn and to work work work. I get frustrated sometimes waiting for my skills to catch up to my aspirations. I paint cautiously, often agonizing over minutiae. I hope I get over that soon. I occasionally have moments which are more dance than dirge. That's what I look forward to. For now, I'm learning to see what's in front of me. When that comes more easily, well, I don't exactly know what comes next.

Today's exercise was a study of color. I ignored composition and brushwork to focus completely on color. After working with this sunflower last week, I wanted to more accurately convey its school bus hue. I wanted to see how much red appears in a tangerine. I wanted to be honest about the indescribable color of this grapefruit. Of course, as I painted, I started to think about edges and texture. Citrus fruit can look like a well painted ball if I don't think about texture.

I want to put my still lifes in more thoughtful settings, but I also don't want to fuss over it too much right now. I gladly accept any advice about that issue.

I can't bear to watch the Grammys, but I'm pleased that some talented folks were honored.
Robert Plant/Alison Krauss
Adele
Kings of Leon
Bruce Springsteen

long necked goose

6x8 oil on canvas panel

Hellooo baaaay- beh.

Man is this hard work. Too many petals...I'm going back to fruit.

Chantilly Lace, Big Bopper
Peggy Sue, Buddy Holly & the Crickets
Oh Donna, Ritchie Valens
American Pie, Don McLean

super sunny

6x6 oil on board

I tried a gesso board again, and I still can't get the hang of it. Canvas is like walking on sand, and panels are like walking on ice. I need some kind of hybrid. I kept sliding into previous layers, so I had very little control over my values. (I know, it sounds like a personal problem.) I guess I won't Zamboni over this.

After a crummy January, I have a renewed desire to get to the studio. And hey, my boys won the big game yesterday, so I'm feelin' pretty good.

I'm so lonesome I could cry, Terry Bradshaw

grand larceny, John Gorka

make links open in new tab/window

Since I don't have a decent painting to post, I'll give you a blogging lesson to make links open in a new window. (I thank my son for teaching me!)

For blogger users, you type your posts in the 'compose' box. You make a link by highlighting a word or phrase, and click the 'link' tab in the tool bar. But this makes a link that navigates away from your blog. You want your audience to stick around a bit longer! If your readers are clever, they will right click to open links in a new tab or window. But you can easily alter your links yourself.

There is a tab for 'edit html.' Look through the text and find the area where your link is located. It will look like this:

<a href="http://emptyeasel.com/">Empty Easel</a>

Add the following code between the quotation mark and the greater than symbol.

target="_blank"

Add a space before the word target.
Now it looks like:

<a href="http://emptyeasel.com/" target="_blank">Empty Easel</a>

That's it, Fort Pitt.

painted pony

7x5 oil on canvas

This was a quick play date with a pony bottle. I had limited time, which turned out to be good for me. I was forced not to fuss, and I played with some slippery transparent paint.

I keep pony bottles of Rolling Rock on hand for when I make chili. Six ounces for the pot and one for the cook. It's the perfect amount. I'm a cheap date. Rolling Rock was a western PA brew until a few years ago, in case you're questioning my taste.

I have this running gag in which I commandeer my loved one's shopping or to-do list and add "buy Dar a pony." I started doing it ages ago at my Mom's, because she always has a shopping list on the kitchen counter. On my way out, I sneak it on her list, just to let her know I was there. My husband usually has a list lying around too, of his good intentions. I add reminders for him to do nice things for me, including buying a pony.

When asked what I want for Christmas, my pat answer is "world peace and an end to hunger, ... and maybe a pony." Eric took me seriously a few years ago, and we've been contributing to several charities as a new holiday tradition. But you know, I'm still waiting for the pony.


I want a horse, Linda Ronstadt
Spinning Wheel, Blood, Sweat, & Tears