Out of the Zone

A friend of mine asked me to show some of my work that is not my 'usual' work. I have oodles of paintings around the studio and around the house that are not a part of the collection of work that I am trying to build up. for the most part, no one ever sees them. Here are two of those works.

This one ^ is pretty large. It's 36x48 on a pretty thick gallery wrapped stretcher. It's lively and fun and was painted from a tiny scrap of a black and white photo.

This one ^ is 30x36 and was in response to an urge to build up paint. I tend to paint very flat, no brushstrokes. Even though this looks like piled on, it's a relatively flat painting. Certainly more impasto than I'm known for, but in the grand scheme of things, still fairly smooth which I think kind of adds to the movement.

Anyhoo...These are two of the kinds of things I do in response to assignments, challenges, or just a daily whim. enjoy.

Busy season

They say 'when it rains, it pours'. It would seem that everyone wants to have a show at the same time. This happened in early Spring also. Everyone wanted '5-10' works for this show or that. Which is fine...unless 4 or 5 people want 5-10 works. I just dont have that kind of inventory. I'm happy to say, that , yes, while I should paint more and have a larger inventory, I've been selling enough that I keep less on hand than I'd like.

This week, we have an opening at the Spruill Gallery here in Atlanta. It's a show that celebrates 35 years of the educational and gallery portions of the Spruill Center for the Arts. This show in particular showcases instructor works. I have 2 paintings in the show. I've posted them here before. The two in the show are the 'Four eggs and a funeral" and the 'still life with Sunflower" painting. I really like them both, but I'd be a happy camper if they'd sell.

Here are two other recent works. Both are oil. The painting with the Chinese lanterns is 18x 24 and the picture with the peony is 24x 24. Come to think of it, I may have already posted this one, but...what the heck. Hope you enjoy them.

Happy Medium

I've been painting a long time. I mean...a long time. I've seen styles and techniques come and go. I've also seen the rise and fall of popularity of painting mediums. But I have to admit...I very rarely would say that I really know how to use any particular medium.

Ok, when I started painting, I used Linseed Oil and Turpentine. That was basically it. Today, 30 years later, I love Liquin. I love the way it makes paint buttery. The way it eliminates brush strokes in my realism work. I prefer to thin with linquin for most situations.

One of the great things about teaching is that I am constantly learning from my students as well. One of more recent students was a big fan of Galkyd. What is Galkyd you ask? Damn good question. He used it like I use Liquin, to thin glazes etc. But...he also used it as a working varnish making his work shiny.

So, today, I thought I'd be brave and pick up some different mediums. I've been uber brave in the past and have branched out so much as to purchase Liquin Gel AND Liquin Fine Detail. I know...I am a wild one. But today I picked up Gamblins Galkyd and some mysterious goo called Neo Meglip.

Now, mediums wouldn't be nearly such a mystery if they would simply explain ON THE BOTTLE what they do and how they are used. Hello...my toothpaste has very specific instructions as to use, but this "hazardous if you look at it wrong' bottle of golden goodness simply tells me 'not to dilute it more than 50/50" and "this @#$*'ll kill you if you ingest it". Well...thank you Mr. Wizard.

Some mediums are helpful and say simply "for use in thinning paint and can be used as a glaze". Or 'helps paint to stay wet longer'.

Is that too much to ask?

The Neo Meglip (which sounds like a pharmaceutical) was very forthcoming in telling me that the Old Masters LOVE this goop and this is the modern version...sometimes called Maroger. Well now...that was...helpful.

So...if you are like me (and you may not want to admit it) here are some mediums and what they are used for:

This information is from the Gamblin site which I found pretty helpful.

All in all, thank God for the internet. I've seen mysterious bottles of various colored goo for years and have been to 'shy' to try and to annoyed by the fact that so called "experts' had never tried them.

After trying several of these, I think I'll write a review. For now, here is Gamblin's info on Galkyd and Neo Meglip.

GALKYD PAINTING MEDIUM

Galkyd is an alkyd resin painting medium that increases the fluidity of oil colors and speeds their drying time. Thin layers of oil colors are dry in 24 hours. The viscosity of Galkyd is similar to traditional painting mediums made from linseed stand oil. Galkyd levels brush strokes, creates a strong flexible paint film and leaves an enamel like glossy finish. Galkyd is ready to use. Thins with odorless mineral spirits. Painters can add up to 50% by volume odorless mineral spirits to change the viscosity of Galkyd for glazing. Galkyds are excellent glazing mediums.

NEO MEGILP
NEO MEGILP Oil Painting Medium is a soft, silky gel. Neo Megilp gives body to paint, decreases viscosity, and can produce a luminous Turner-like atmosphere, suspending and supporting paint in a soft gel. And it is made from contemporary materials so it will not turn yellow or dark as it did in the 17th and 18th centuries. Neo Megilp can also replace Maroger Medium for artists who love the working properties but are now concerned about Maroger's poor aging qualities.