A New Master

This week, the Woodson Art Museum announced their selection for the 2014 Master Wildlife Artist - Barry Van Dusen. My hearty congratulations went out to Barry yesterday on joining myself and the previous honored artists in being named the 34th Master. He is, indeed, a masterful watercolorist who certainly knows his birds and has a fine grasp of his medium. I'm looking forward to September and hearing more about his life as an artist during the opening weekend events of this year's edition of the Woodson's annual block-buster, Birds in Art.

As noted in some earlier postings, I'm pleased to be a 'guest artist' at Trailside Galleries in Jackson Hole and to have four works included in the upcoming Wildlife Discovery Show which will open in just over a month's time. The works are on their way and should be in the gallery next week, so if you would like a preview and are in the area, stop in the gallery after next week and take a look. I'm honored to have these works included along with those of so many other fine, respected gallery and invited artists.

Now it's done. Deciding to go with my original intention of having a subtle cloud background, I penciled in these hazy clouds today and am comfortable with the completed work. What needs to stand out still stands out and what needs to act as the negative space still acts as the negative space, so time to move on to the next work. This one measures 7" x 23" and will head to the work table later on to float in its frame of 8" x 24".

Done? Not done? I'm torn at the moment . . . my initial idea when sketched out was to include some nice, soft, semi-faint clouds behind to add a bit more textural layer to the overall composition, and to try and compliment the angles of the main subject. I've looked at this the last couple of days and am still not sure which direction to go. I like the rather 'pure' aspect of the piece just now, with the important stuff against that simple white (well the slightly off white actual tone of the Bristol Board) background of negative space. I believe that even adding some clouds back in, the overall idea will still be all that important stuff sitting against a rather negative background, but can't make a final decision. Once I start to bring in clouds, can't turn back so it will have to be a decision that I believe is going to enhance the overall idea and not make a mess of it. Right now there is a very abstract nature to the image against all that off white. Adding clouds back in will give it more of a real and 'worldly' feel and I have to decide which way I want the work to go. Stay tuned.

A little aside this morning . . . having seen several of these wonderful animals in person recently, I was amazed at the creativity involved in putting these 'things' together from bits and pieces of old flip flops. I don't usually go out of my way to talk about or encourage consideration of general marketplace products but in this case . . . well these are great and Ocean Sole itself is a fine example of a company doing something for the environment in a fun way. Take a look at their site and see for yourself just how fun their products are. I may have to add something to my own collection!

A second snippet of the current work on the board. Noodling away.

A lot of 'noodling' going on upon the drawing board right now. Here is a snippet. Can you guess?