More figure drawings

Gestural figure sketches

I've been working on some new things over the past weeks and okay, I have also taken a much needed break, and had some relaxing holiday fun in the wonderful Atlanta Spring weather too. This is a sampling of new pieces coming out of the studio; Lots of charcoal figure sketches that I am in the process of framing (I'll post some pics of the finished results here), and some acrylic and oil on canvas in large format sizes.

"Boundless", 36" x 48", oil on canvas

"Boundless", 36" x 48", oil on canvas, SOLD

"Verbena"

"Verbena", 20" x 16" framed pastel on paper, SOLD

Gone Figure Drawing, 18" x 24"

Well, I 've made a real effort in the past two weeks to "get out there" and do something different, I have signed up for some local figure drawing sessions here in Atlanta, and have had some pretty good results. The Cobb Museum of Art in Marietta on the square and The Bohemian Circus at The Apache Cafe on 3rd Street. Drawing from nature is always good practice , keeps your fundamental skills sharp by keeping you grounded academically. What I mean is this; as artist's, we learn by habit, and you can get stuck by drawing in your comfort zone too often. Things can get stale and rehearsed, so drawing from nature, be it landscape or figure, forces you to test yourself and follow a new map. You can't argue with anatomy and proportion, it's good for you too. Drawing from life(nature) means everything you see in front of you is accurate, the light and shadows and proportion, not like a photograph, there is 3 dimensional depth to account for. Anyway, it was refreshing and kind of like going back to school without trying to explain why and I intend to make drawing and painting from life more of a ritual practice to keep the skills in tune. Of course I am still going to draw from memory because that's where the artist's personal music is playing.

I definitely recommend checking out either of the venues listed above.

The Big Snow in Atlanta

Hey, I thought I would post these shots I took the night the snow came a few weeks ago. I stayed late working on the computer at the coffee shop (you know, free wifi) and I came outside around 10:30 and shushed up to the studio and grabbed the camera, the streets were empty and all was quiet. I love the light of the streetlamps in the haze of the falling snow.

Angel Blue Sky, 16" x 20", oil on canvas

"Mr. Bird Said", 20" x20" Oil on canvas

I guess this one is reminiscent of when I was illustrating Children's books and literature...similar to some of my book illustrations, seen here- very narrative...make up your own story, I can't tell you what it's about. Although, I would say it's about being lost and asking for directions, because you have a passenger in distress, and it's getting dark and cold and you're looking for some shelter- at least until it get's light. OK, maybe I can tell you what this picture is about after all. That's the wonderful fulfillment one get's from painting & drawing and creating from your imagination..there is a lot of pretending and playacting that goes into it because you have to visualize it with your mind's eye just like when you were a child playing in the yard. You have to feel it as if you were there and then build it using perspective and form and expression, and create a sense of space and place. It's never quite right, but fun trying to create that imaginary place that you see in the recesses of your memory, it's a little fuzzy and out of focus, but we try to nail it down. I think that all artist's can relate to that struggle...chasing that illusive vision.

New painting, mixed media on wood panel

Here is a new equine piece titled The Crimson Prince. It measures 24" x 30", lots of color, and it comes with a frame... which I will post a photo of later.

8" x 10", The Royal Spectator", acrylic on board

12" x 24", The Egg Tree, Oil sketch on Canvas

"Oaktree" with frame, SOLD

It looks fine with this frame!, and it's available at the Nicholson Gallery in Miami Circle.

"OakTree" 24" x 24" mixed media on birch panel

This is one of those big and burley Irish Draft horses. I like those working farm horses. I used some photo reference on this one. It's more of a study really. It measures 24" x 24" square and would look awesome in a frame. I have a wide silver frame I'm going to fit it into and I'll post the results. It will look so fine in the right frame.

"Cold Snap" framed

Okay, Here is the final and finished product in its slightly distressed wood frame, with a scoop profile, as seen in the detail shot. This piece looks so much better in actual reality, they look great on-line but...you have to really SEE them to appreciate them. This one is still in the studio, I have not put in on gallery exhibit yet. I'll let you know, in the meantime, if interested in this piece, email me.

"Dianah passed through here" SOLD

This is a detail shot of a new original painting titled " Dianah passed through here". Framed in a simple and elegant contemporary frame with a matte nickle silver color, it really brings out the soft greens and blues. It's available

at The Nicholson Gallery at Miami Circle, Buckhead.

Framed Pastels at The Nicholson Gallery

Twighlight Dance , SOLD

Hi again, just wanted to let you know about The Nicholson Gallery down at Miami Circle right next to The Eclipse De Luna. I have some nice framed and unframed collector pieces there, colorful pastel drawings that are fresh and spontaneous. I think that the basis for all quality artwork is drawing. Ask any artist. I have gotten to this point in my career where I seldom plan an artwork, I just visualize and dive in! This allows creative "accidents" to occur, and the result is a more personal image/mark that is true and less carefully constructed. I think this is more real and authentic. It is connecting to that visual vocabulary in one's dream subconcious.

"Cold Snap"

Okay, This is done, I'm stopping. It's still bright and fresh and kind of whimsical(which I like).

This latest painting on wood jag has produced some great pieces, this one is 18" x 24" and has a bit of a graphic quality about it. I'll have a frame on this soon- a moulding that I picked out over at Tuxedo Frame Gallery in Buckhead. They do really great framing design there. They are located where the Pearl art supply used to be on Roswell Rd. Then I will post a photo of the finished piece here, framed and ready to hang.

"Angel Fury"

Here is a detail from a large oil on canvas, 36" x 48".

This is a work in progress as well. I hope to have it finished soon and ready to present. I think I need some of those wood panels at this size 36" x 48" and larger.

New Work,"Gardenia"

This is another painting featuring a romanticized female figure with equine, I have been working on this off and on for quite a while, but I've made some real progress of late (I think that I just got a little mad at it; not her, just the painting, and fearlessly attacked the canvass with a large brush this time) by painting over some areas with warm, reddish greens and it softened it up a bit. I'm always learning by trial and error, and I have found that layers of paint (with the layer beneath showing through) creates depth. I still have a ways to go on this one, I think I am going to apply some contrasting color to her dress.

I don't know, I might have gotten in over my head with this one.

New paintings on birch panel

Hey, This is a painting I just finished, kind of a series. I'm painting consistantly at one size: 24" x 24" square on birch wood panels. I really like the surface because it's hard like paper (no give like canvas) and it's smooth unless you want to embellish with your own texture. I just put a few coats of gesso on and sand in between layers, but I have heard of artists mixing in pummice or applying paste. That smooth, hard surface also allows for drawing media like charcoal or pastel in conjunction with the paint. Anyway, I'm excited with the results. Keeping with the equine theme, I'm exploring with this square format for a while. I have also picked out some nice frame mouldings for these. Of course, these are for sale, contact me if your interested: studioandrew@yahoo.com

I like this one, "Joan the Triumphant". I have alway's been facinated with Joan of Arc, because she was a warrior and Marytered Saint, I guess I share a somewhat romantic notion of her character that has been shaped by books and art and film. When I painted the figure on the horse, it eventually took form and reminded me of Joan of Arc, so I titled it such.
Titles are an interesting subject on their own. Sometimes they are obvious during the working process, a few words that pop into your head while painting, not a literal interpretation, but hopefully, a more personally connected phrase. But some have no title and it's best not to lead the viewer in any direction; The viewer can interperet it on their own terms and connect words of their own.

Red Horse Now

Red Horse, 30" x 40", oil on canvas. SOLD
Well, I think that I'll sign it, and it's done.

New Work

" Three Angels Waiting", 36" x 48", oil on canvas

New Work

"Launch from Blue Fields", 30" x 40", oil on canvas

New Work

Red Horse For Now, 30" x 40", oil on canvas

Berry Farm, pastel on paper, 2010

Berry Farm, 2010, pastel on paper, Andrew Portwood copyright