The idea that life is slow in a small town didn't apply here this summer. Between helping to plan Guttenberg's Stars and Stripes Celebration, keeping up with RAGBRAI coverage, and teaching various classes at the Creativity Center, I managed to eek out a few paintings.
I've been teaching Canvas Uncorked, a beginner's acrylic painting (and wine drinking) class, and so have been keeping brush to canvas on a fairly regular basis. Although I don't paint in the class at the same level I'd paint my 'own' work, I do think it helps me stay in shape. It's also been fun playing with acrylic paint, which lends itself to quicker studies than an oil painting.
Anyway, here's what's been going on in my studio this summer.
I've been teaching Canvas Uncorked, a beginner's acrylic painting (and wine drinking) class, and so have been keeping brush to canvas on a fairly regular basis. Although I don't paint in the class at the same level I'd paint my 'own' work, I do think it helps me stay in shape. It's also been fun playing with acrylic paint, which lends itself to quicker studies than an oil painting.
Anyway, here's what's been going on in my studio this summer.
January Wedding, 10x10, gauche on canvas.
I got a set of gauche paints and am super excited about them. They're so bright! This is a painting I made as a wedding gift for a couple whose first dance just happened to be to the song January Wedding (by the Avett Brothers) - and around the edges of the canvas I scrawled lyrics from that very song in metallic gold. "My heart and hers are the same."
This painting was commissioned by a local vintner. Her dog, Kirby, is the star of the new label for her Hound and Hare wine. Kirby dreams of Watership Down-inspired hares. After testing the wine (delicious), I chose the background color to reflect the wine itself. The version at left is the first sketch, and the one at right is the one that will go on the label (with text added by the vintner).
She purchased a digital image of the final piece, but the original is still for sale. It will be featured along with Catmoon (my first gauche painting) in a cat, dog, and cow-themed show this fall at the Marquette-McGregor Art Center.
She purchased a digital image of the final piece, but the original is still for sale. It will be featured along with Catmoon (my first gauche painting) in a cat, dog, and cow-themed show this fall at the Marquette-McGregor Art Center.
My third commission of the summer was this sign for the Guttenberg Fish Hatchery & Aquarium's 75 year anniversary. I've always loved going to the aquarium here to see river fish and especially turtles. Plus, it's always about 65 degrees inside - so it's the perfect place to take a break on a hot day.
It's been wonderful to get to know Kevin and Karen, the two DNR staff at the hatchery, through various projects at the newspaper, and I was thrilled to be able to contribute to their 75th anniversary celebration.
It's been wonderful to get to know Kevin and Karen, the two DNR staff at the hatchery, through various projects at the newspaper, and I was thrilled to be able to contribute to their 75th anniversary celebration.
There are a pair of antlers and a shabby cow skull bleaching in the sun in the front yard, and a box full of India ink jars is waiting for fall to come to my studio.
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