Finally was able to get outside to photograph this today . . . completed and ready for framing, "Coastal Escadrille". This one will be going to the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport for the annual spring show - Modern Marine Masters. Image size is 7" x 20" and it will, indeed, be framed with the one that had been set aside for the elk that got cut down. One less frame to have gone into inventory, there are enough in inventory already!

The third update on this one . . . yesterday's work. I think this one will be done by the end of today's studio session. It's too darn cold outside to even think about stepping out the front door so, may as well sit at the drawing board all day.

Apologies, I've been remiss in posting an update on the current work on the board. Here is where things stand today. I've gotten a little bit of work done since the last posting, but it is not going as fast as I want. No excuses, just dithering and diddling but will be back to it tomorrow.

The new work that is taking shape in the studio. Following the same size format, 7" x 20", as that of the recent elk work that had started life that size before my having become disgusted with it and cutting it down. I am very happy with the compositional design of this one so this one is going to finish up as it should, 7" x 20". It will be one of two works to be part of this spring's Modern Marine Masters show at The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport.

A Frame to Fit

So . . .  I had an 8" x 21" frame sitting in the studio which was supposed to be the frame for the ill fated previously cut down elk work and, not one to miss an opportunity, I worked out a sketch for this next work on the board to fit that very same frame. I think this one is going to work out a heck-of-a-lot better and will post some in progress shots once there is something to see. As the snow falls outside the studio window today, work commences!

I've looked at this one yesterday and today and finally resolved on this sliver of the original concept, which was a composition 7" x 20", very horizontal of course. The resulting piece that got cut out and saved is 7" x 6 1/4" and will hit the frame table shortly. I think I salvaged the better part of what was there and will let this one get its frame and move on to the next one.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men . . .

I have walked away from the drawing board in disgust this afternoon. I believed, when I began this piece, that the idea was a good one. I now see that the compositional design just did not work from the outset and after four days of work on this piece, I have decided that enough is enough; no point in continuing to scratch my head and wonder. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and realize that a work is not going well. It happens. I am gong to take a look at what I've done so far tomorrow with a fresh eye, and see if it can be cut down, reworked in some way or just torn up. Can't even think any longer about it just now.

Another snippet of the current work on the drawing board.

Another new work that will be earmarked for Trailside Gallery in Jackson Hole for their upcoming March wildlife show . . . this one has been on the board for several days and here is just a snippet of the work so far. Again, digging into Yellowstone National Park reference and loving it!

Something New - Part Six - Fini!

Completed yesterday and now ready to head to the work table for framing later this morning. This one measures 11 1/2" x 12 1/2" and will be heading to Trailside Gallery in Jackson Hole for their March wildlife show.

Something New - Part Five

The big boys (and girls) have been added and I see another two and a half hours at least of work on this tomorrow to complete it. I suppose I could do the 'clean up' this evening after dinner, but will wait till tomorrow with fresh eyes as that usually helps me to see where things need an extra touch or tightening up a bit or darkening up a bit or . . . ? I can already tell that some of the foreground is going to need some splashes of more intense darks to bring all that forward but I am pretty happy with the depth that has been established so far. Onward . . . tomorrow!

Something New - Part Four

The big shots are now making their appearance. Still more wood to noodle and tighten up and then some grass and fuzzy bison yet to be added. This one should be done in another couple days. With it being ten degrees outside, I've no place to be but sitting at the drawing board for the duration.

Something New - Number Three

Work continues and I've now shown the entire composition where it stands after studio time today. I am finally being able to resource a great body of reference material from a trip to Yellowstone nearly ten years ago, accommodating my desire to complete some western landscape works for several new (western US) galleries that have recently begun to show my work. It's exciting to work with some new ideas and fresh never-before utilized great reference material. I'm having a ball with all this wood!

Something New - Number Two

Ah, so much wood . . . so little time! Progressing nicely, so far.

Something New

A new work is taking shape on the drawing board. A new year, new subject matter, new ventures. With March show timing in mind, I have begun work on three new pieces to go 'out west' for a gallery show of wildlife works. (more on that later) So, here are the beginnings of this first new work of 2014, #1 on the inventory list. So far, so good I think. Lots more to come. And yes, I am noodling one of my favorite textures . . . wood!