Autumn Days to Come

I have fought with this painting for a while now, but at last it's done. This is a painted version of the Color Pencil piece Changing of the Seasons. When Robin posed for this, I used flash to get her details, but I didn't think about her coloring. Once I painted her she looked like a cartoon, because her colors were not natural to the sky. So I did this in color pencil to figure out the colors and did the painting after that. Color Pencil does come more natural to me and it's easier to problem solve with them. Everyone take care and have fun!

Guarding the Stones

Here is my newest Color Pencil picture. I've been doing nothing but paintings for the last few months, so it was great to return to this medium. I also like to do Color Pencil work that is not fruit of flowers, no offense to those who do that though. Why does Color Pencil artists tends to do those? Well, I have Robin here protecting the stones, but from what I'm not sure. Maybe the stones are actually protecting her, but then the cool title would not work as well. Well, everyone take care and have fun!

Dancing Light

Hey! I finally finished this one. It's a color pencil piece I've been working on for a while. The size is about 18 x 12 inches, a lot smaller than I am used to. This was done from another photo taken at the Anglin Falls, but this time with a different model. Actually, I haven't done much work with her in a while, but I will soon and I am looking forward to it. She's a great model and a great person. I did the sketch of her a year or so ago and dropped her into this scene. I had a blast with the composition of the piece, but the lighting was a bit to work out. Hey, as all things in life worth doing, it's a learning experience. I also had a time trying to make the reflecting light on the cliff face behind her look right. That's a new one, I usually just avoid those, but this time I went for it. Light sneaking down between the leaves is so abstract yet you know it when you see it bouncing off a rock wall. I like what I got but I will certainly do more in the future and get it down. You guys take care and have fun!

Awaiting the Sign Finished

I thought I'd show this one, I finished it the other day. Earlier I had shown the process of drawing it, and how I apply that drawing to the drawing surface. I gave it the name Awaiting the Sign. I have always been intrigued at the thought of going to nature for guidance, or some may say mental clarity. I think you can get both. I have done it several times, when being down or even when making career decisions. Nature often brings peace and clarity, and exercise so think about that next time you are on a hike and enjoy yourself. Take care and have fun!

Finished art work

Wow, it's been a while. I've had this finished for a while, but I had to wait for good conditions before photographing it. I take photos outside, and it's been too cloudy about every day. Actually, I need light from the setting sun, usually in the shadow of my house. No direct light, but bright light from the sky, and not too bright. That's the best light for me.
Anyway, this is the finished product. You can see I left in that rock to her left, and darkened areas. If I darken areas, I usually add more color too. I also tried to maintain or strengthen the light behind her and on the tree. Now for the title.
I am inspired by John Waterhouse and I love his painting Hamadryad (which you will see above my painting). The Hamadryad is a spirit that lives among the trees, and talks to Pan as you can see. He drew upon mythology and I draw upon painters like him for ideas.
Well, painters like him and Nature, music and other influences. There are too many influences to count, sometime just a mood, or something or someone I see while eating lunch or driving. It just makes me think of all the joy in the world from which we can draw inspiration. A pretty song, a pretty woman, incredible landscape, a friend or what's in your own imagination. Next time you're down remember these things. It's been a joy. Take care! Cliff

They like me! They really really like me!

"Dear Artist/Photographer,

Congratulations! The following entry(s) were accepted for the Glories of the Garden Art Exhibit:

Moon Above Anglin Falls(above) and Song of Spring(below)."

That's the word I got the other day, so I'm pretty happy. It's always nice to know your work is good enough to be accepted into a show, but I'm very happy that two are being allowed in. Moon Above Anglin Falls will be at the UK Arboretum Visitor Center and Song of Spring will be at the UK Singletary Center. Here is the other news they gave me, "

February 22- March 21 Glories of the Garden Art Exhibit

Please note that The Arboretum is open M-F, 8:30-4:00 & the Singletary Center is open from M-F 12:00-5:00 for viewing of the exhibit.

March 9 Artists Reception, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at The Arboretum and the Singletary Center for the Arts. Please R.S.V.P. to dmbast0@uky.edu or 257.6955

Everyone Take care and have fun!