...A Sailor Man.....

                                                            (click on photo to zoom )




I was a bit bored the other day... having a bit of a block... so I decided to monkey a bit with some acrylic paints that I have at home.....  often as it does happen, my 12 yr old son was a bit bored too.... So I gave him one of my old partially painted canvas's ... which he could then paint over.

The thing that most excited me... (I only took a photo with my phone... the blue doesn't look quite so brilliant in person) .... was the similarities in method of creating.

First he started layering some blue on the canvas.... and then some red... and some yellow... and before I knew it... he had a sailor man.     The process part that I am relating to is the unplanned portion... often I want to just start painting and see what comes out... which is exactly what he did.  

Now I know Matt always likes to find a way or two to make a few extra bucks and would love to create to sell... but between you and I... I may have to buy it myself ...although mothers day is coming(hint, hint- maybe he will see this post)...  there is something about this painting that really hits my spark... and the part that irritates me is, I can't quite explain what that is.  


(will update with better photos later)

Week one... Scottsdale

....One week down, one left to go...

I am having a bit of trouble doing any postings- as I am working with an ipad rather than my laptop. In no particular order ...(I am not able to rearrange / delete any pictures...and had to have my daughter post the pitures to my blog) ... are pictures from my first enjoyable week at the Scottsdale Artists School in Arizona.

Several of the photos are demos in progress by Kobayahsi as well as some finished works of his. There are also a few photos taken at the wonderful home of an art collector.

Each class day starts at 10 am with a demonstration that runs until around noon. After lunch the students paint with live models ... (some are shown below)... class time ends at 5 pm.

The hotel that I am staying at is directly across the street from the school, an easy walk.

I am not sure how many galleries there are in Scottsdale... it seems to be an endless amount. I am quite sure I will not make it to all of them. The highlights of my gallery hopping today included wonderful Russian and Ukraine artworks, Renoir works (both drawining and sculpture)... original Picasso works.. (and was tempted to bring one home at 1.5 million,... just not too sure where I would put it... darn, had to leave it there.) I also got to see many Warhol and Rockwell artist proofs, which were fun to see.

Temperatures have been in the high 80's to low 90's... not as muggy as back home... The weather has been wearing me out a bit... as I am a bit forgetful to fill up on water.

I am looking forward to continuing my studies next week, though I am getting anxious to get home and try evolve my work a bit and put some new ideas that I want to try to the test. I will have to save that for another week or so.

p.s..... had to share the photo with the 'robes'... as I seem to remember them in some of Milts work... they were fun to see and recognize.

Scottsdale Artists School...Kobayashi

After somewhat turbulent ride, arrival at the Skyharbor airport was a bit of a relief.

I got in at Homestead Studio Suites at 10:45 pm ... and was glad that I had stuffed a bag of English muffins and peanutbutter in my bag....

I am enjoying my room, though not a 'plush' stay, it is sufficient and practical.... newly remodeled, it has everything that I need.... a small kitchen, dressers...wifi... good shower etc.... the pool is on the warm side.

A plus of staying at Homestead in Scottsdale is location. Walgreens is across the parking lot, (as well as a few restaraunts) and the school is literally across the street.

Class started at 10 am,...the school is beautiful and I can't wait to share phictures but first I have to figure out how to post them as I am using an ipad.

After introductions of roughly 15 students, watching Milt do a demo was an anticipated treat. He makes it look very easy.

After the demo, two models were set up on each side of the class room where we were able to paint and get tips from the instructor.

Open studio is on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and most of Saturday. I did take advantage of the open time, and was able to paint with another live Model... did a quick small painting.

Aside from the bed being abit on the hardside... I really can't complain. It has been a great experience.