Two more done

I finally finished the painting I'm submitting to the Herberger on Monday.  How's that for cutting it close!  I'm happier with the final work, although I don't think it will be accepted.  They usually aren't too interested in the prosaic.  We'll see, I'll let you know.

Also finished one of my tall pierced vases for a client.  

The underglaze bubbled, which gave it an interesting effect.  It almost looks like it's made out of leather, which is cool for this client:  they're huge fans of Western Art, so I think this will fit into their decor perfectly.

 

Conclusions

Installation of both benches is complete.  The installers, Barry and James of Chandler Tile, did a fantastic job.  I am thrilled with the final results.

 

I love it when a plan comes together!

The coffee table for my client is done!  I just finished grouting it earlier this week and will put the grout sealer on it tomorrow.  I'm really happy with the results, and think my client will be pleased.  We agreed on using a dark grout and I think it was a good decision.

 And my benches are in the process of being installed even as I type this today.  All of the tiles fit, there has been little cutting necessary so far, and I imagine that the benches will be grouted either tomorrow or Friday.  Such a huge sigh of relief to see this phase in action.

It looks like we may have miscounted on our black edge tiles, and may be making a few more this next week to make up the difference on a few of them.  Steve and I will do a recount of what's left tomorrow just to make sure we have enough. 

 

The Home Stretch

Did some more work on the still life this weekend.  Daughter said she wasn't "believing" the bowl of chips yet.  I wasn't either, so I did some more work on those.  Still not there, but getting there, I think.

Fixed one tomato, still have to do the rest.  

Tweaked all of the onions, worked on the knife, did some more work with the shadows, and I'm finally feeling like I'm getting a handle on this painting.  I'm pretty sure it won't be accepted by the Herberger.  They don't really go in for the "realistic" stuff, but are more interested in left field.  I'll still submit it. It's been a challenging exercise, which is good for artistic growth, right?

 

Two more sessions - it's coming around.

As you can see, I've added a few things, and subtracted a few.  I'm really happy with the open avocado.  Think I nailed that one.  But had to open an avocado to look at it, just to make sure.  Added the blue bowl, which gives a good touch of color and straightened the back, brown bowl.

It's beginning to come together, I think.

 There are more corrections here, and refining.  Finally put in the tomatoes, and not happy with them at all.

First, they don't look like tomatoes, more like apple blobs.

Now there are two green onions instead of three, and I put in a few more chips.  Can you tell that they're chips?  I sure hope so, or else this concept, i.e., title, doesn't work.  I'll tell you what it is next round.
 

Painting progress

I'm starting to lay in the individual parts.  Here I have most of the limes, started one chili, the green pepper, and indicated the green onions.

 In this session I put the blue chip bowl in, added the second chili and did more definition on some of the vegetables.  

This photo shows me the work I need to do on the front edge of the lime bowl.  It's way off.  

And I'm not thrilled with the space between the chilis.

Increased definition on the knife, but don't love it yet. More at the end of the week.

Right now I have to label and box up my last bench.  Install next week!!!!
 

 

And so it begins

So this is the one I picked to do.  I made a few changes in the design layout and moved a frew things around a bit, but, as you'll see below it's essentially the same.

And since I no longer have the luxury of procrastination available to me on this one, I began.

First photo is after a couple of hours wrestling with layout and finally getting it on the canvas, and the second is a few hours later.  

I'm off to buy a couple of paint colors I either ran out of, or were hard as rocks after a 10 month hiatus from acrylic, then back at it again this afternoon.  

Results and progress

Finished the Cat Retablo for my client, and she was very pleased with the results.

She volunteers at the Hope Animal Shelter in Tucson, which is a no-kill shelter for cats and dogs, and has asked me to do a retablo for their spring fund raising event.  This one will be cats and dogs.

I think I'm pretty close to finishing the design drawing and will probably start working on it this next week.  

Also have to start on the vegetable painting I want to do.  So much fun stuff to do, so little time to do it!!!

 

Procrastination - my middle name

The Herberger's latest call to artists was made several months ago.  Photos of finished work are due April 1.  The theme is "Chomp:  a Show about Comestibles".  

So my idea finally jelled about 3 this morning.  I've been ruminating for awhile, (read: putting it off) but now I have to get it in gear.  

The title of my acrylic piece will be "Some Assembly Required", and today I made some photos after a run to the store.  Of the arrangements I tried I like these three the best.

Which one of these do you like: