Wednesday, April 26, 2017

IN A FLASH

"Flashbulb Camera" oil on board (12" x 12") 2017
Before the digital age, photography was loaded with equipment and gadgets even for the average consumer. Every family had their main household camera for documenting special occasions. If your event occurred indoors then the flash unit had to be attached to the camera. The bulbs popped in the second that the photo was taken. It then became a blistered, bumpy cast off that I found to be fascinating. Running my fingers over the knobby reject was a very tactile experience. There was nothing else I could compare it to.
A few months ago while visiting Renninger's,  one of my favorite haunts, I found this old relic and I had to have it for a model in my studio. Now I think I need more to keep it company.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

NARCISSUS

Narcissus, according to Greek mythology and our old friend Edith Hamilton who I remember from my Latin class, was a beautiful youth who rejected the nymph Echo and fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. There is a quote from him crying to Echo, "

"Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!"

So he yearned for his own image and was changed into the flower.

We have enjoyed our narcissus flowers in the garden this spring. I love how delicate yet sturdy they are when surrounded by their daffodil cousins. As of this morning they are finished but I managed to do a few paintings while they were here.

"Narcissus on Blue" oil on canvas. (9" x 12") 2017

"Narcissus on Yellowe" oil on canvas. (6" x 14") 2017

Saturday, April 8, 2017

EGGS and SPRINGTIME

Took my daily walk along Stony Run today. Things are really ready to burst forth now. The birds are busy making nests and singing noisy songs. The  moist ground is covered with green growth of all types. Spring is here without further delay. And the neighborhood children are anticipating their annual Easter egg hunt in the meadow this afternoon.  All this leads me to doing a couple of paintings of eggs. Not Easter eggs, but eggs ready to be poached, scrambled, fried or hard boiled.

"Eggies" oil on board, (6" x 6") 2017

"Eggies, Too" oil on canvas, (4" x 6") 2017