A BEAR CHAIR

Sometimes a request for giving comes to me that is worth while to consider. Today Margo Jacobsen picked up a child's chair that I painted this week. A group called Oregon Partnership is putting on an auction April 16th at the Portland Art Museum to raise money for crises counseling to benefit returning vets as well as lending aid to help with drug addiction in Portland schools.

I decided to keep with my present research theme of bears. "A Bear Chair"! Very fun to paint, the photo posted is the half point to a finished product.

The studio feels better having balanced the energy with giving.

Now back to the bear painting that went on hold for a week!

CHICKEN HOUSE

The weather in Oregon has had everyone outside taking on long awaited projects. Especially since we know this warm, dry, sun time won't last long at this time of year.

A chicken house raising is what occupied the sunny days in my yard. Five people coming together to build a 5'x6' prize of a coop. I almost wish I was a prospective Road Island Red .

In time the coop run and the details that lead up to getting the chicks will get done. But right now I am pleased knowing there will be great subject matter to paint by late spring as well as fresh eggs.

A great reference has been Keep Chickens!

SOME DAYS

Some days are too loaded with "need to do's" to get to the studio for a productive amount of time. Computer deadlines as well as the unopened envelopes stacked beside me tell it's time to sit it out and get it done.

It's easier with a February rain and Maddie Rose in her big dog sleep near the desk.

Then because you are sitting still working, a nice surprise outside the office window makes it all worthwhile. This hawk stayed around long enough to play with my camera.

To carry over a blog idea expressed earlier this week, I have the digital images of my black bear attempts from the studio lined up on a near by table. This habit is like a day of painting without a brush. It's also handy in waiting rooms or long lines.

FROM SKETCH TO PAINT

Often starting to paint on a sketch is like jumping into water that is wide and deep. It's amazing what lessons and challenges surface right away. If the application of paint is done without the next step in mind then the form becomes flat and without life.

The image posted from my work yesterday is an example of rushing into a well thought out sketch with paint. The result is that i squeezed the personality right out of it.

I am not looking for just any black bear image on my canvas. It needs to speak with line, color and shape in such a way that pulls the viewer in so that they may enjoy the acquaintance .

Today I'll start over a little wiser from this last swim.

A DIGITAL CAMERA IN THE STUDIO

A good digital camera is a must since having my studio away from home.

You can record lots of opportunities to check the progress or destruction of a good idea.

After many attempts to capture the expression I was looking for today I could snap a shot, print it out at home

and have it close at hand to re-evaluate and plan out the

next step for tomorrow.

It's interesting what comes through at the easel. After having read and sorted through a stack of references , my heart went out to a bear named "Little Bit" who grew up to be quite large. A delightful read.

"Summer With The Bears" Six Seasons in the North Woods by Jack Becklund

There is no url to link to but the publisher is: Hyperion in NY published in 1999.

STUDIO NOTES OF SKETCHING A BLACK BEAR

In the studio when in front of the easel , I begin the journey of finding the images of the bear with line. I do this with large vine charcoal. There is a constant movement of putting down lines and wiping them off until the image works and the relationship begins. There will be days of this before i pick up brush and paint.

What I have researched and observed will find it's way into the black bear image until there is conversation coming off the canvas and the observer can feel the pull. Then I get out the paints.

girl and bear

Welcome and thank you for checking into my blog. The plan is to create postings that are informal using a format of journaling the journey of easel processes and the experiences that give me the inspiration to paint what goes onto the wildlifeart website.

I have no idea where this blog is going but will stay true to making it authentic and frequent.

The attached photo was obviously taken in the 50"s. I have always proclaimed this bear ride to be more my kind of ride then the pony at the near by carnival tour. It's because of this photo that I am presently working on the black bear image in the studio.

When I decide on an animal to paint there begins a series of necessary tasks. I surround myself with resource materials including publications , dvd's, and possible places to actually view the animal and of course this remarkable tool to the web of life.

With such extensive preparation I become personally acquainted with each animal and as articles and information come to the surface , there is much to include in the image beyond the basic shape. Also, one doesn't go far into animal research before running into the issues of survival.

That being said, I must admit that this photo makes me sad for the female or young bear giving me the experience of a ride. How many others were there in grocery store parking lots with chained harnesses and waiting for the next kid to come along.

Thank you little black bear. I'll make a difference with you in mind.