Paint Different

Portrait of Hector

2012-01-27T17:40:00.001-05:00

Complimenting the Arbordeer piece is this portrait of Hector.

Although he will be the tallest thing in the forest (except for Arbordeer), I wanted him depicted as someone small in spirit.

-Nathan

After Beginning The Day...

2012-01-27T05:54:00.002-05:00

...dragging a ladder through the mud, my day quickly was consumed by my computer.

An overdue website update is complete (so if you want a new screen saver, drag and drop it the "photos" section), more angles of Grey Bay are stitched together, emails answered, and prints ready for shipping. Life is good.

Except for Colin and his parents. They have the very hard choice to pick one of these three images for the saw. Colin managed to find some excellent vistas along the Appalachian Trail!

Which one would you pick?

- jb boyd

The first panel has arrived

2012-01-26T22:59:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to do a circular piece for some time now, but have finally found someone to make a frame/panel combo that I'm excited to paint on. This puppy is 3' in diameter:

I plan on doing a close-up portrait of Hector on this one.

-Nathan

waterfall in progress

2012-01-26T11:39:00.000-05:00

Flesh tones are tough, so many shades. You can see the slow build-up of hues, with the greatest variety at the top of the back, "flowing" down to the lease at the small of the back. -Kerry

Smaller Gets Bigger...

2012-01-26T07:22:00.001-05:00

...when you work background to foreground.

It gets easier because you build a rhythm, even though the brushes don't get appreciably larger.

All shapes follow rules, and the more you understand them, the easier it is to replicate them.

But I am excited that this only the dress rehearsal, and the real show is still around the corner.

- jb boyd

Staring at the distant June

2012-01-25T23:29:00.001-05:00

June, the month of my solo show, is a ways away, but I need to start thinking of it now. I want to do some large pieces and start them early so I can really spend some time on them. Here is one, a 24"x36" piece.

It stars Mr. Arbordeer and Hector, one of his descendants. If I follow through with what I have planned now, the story will be one of malice and arrogance, both topics my work hasn't addressed.
It's still early to tell, but I'm liking where it is now.

-Nathan

Video: The Observ

2012-01-25T21:44:00.001-05:00

A shiny ball's six month journey through Charleston and the paintings it inspired. enjoy.

Green Light

2012-01-25T13:51:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Well, after the pilot of Interiors Inc. aired on HGTV a few months back, they were given the green light to finish filming all of season 1. I've had the honor of working with these talented designers during this process and will have several paintings throughout the season that airs this coming Saturday. I'm excited to see how the season turns out and for what the future holds with Season 2. If your an HGTV junkie like me and my wife be sure to tune in! Much Love

-Adam

a different kind of tears

2012-01-25T12:26:00.001-05:00

recently started in on new drawing with paper droplets acting as a sort of waterfall

-Kerry

Glowing Jellies!

2012-01-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

As well as having a variety of landscapes in my upcoming show this March, I plan on including multiple 12x12 jellyfish paintings. Today was devoted to painting the first layers on eight new jellies...so much fun!! Posted is a cell phone shot of some of my favorites so far.

The jelly pod final

2012-01-24T13:13:00.001-05:00

This took me a bit longer to finish then expected, but it's worth the time:

There are a lot of subtle shifts from greens --> purple, something that was new to me. In the past I felt compelled to make everything stand out, now I'm trying to have objects blend in a bit more.

-Nathan

A rush

2012-01-24T01:42:00.001-05:00

Rarely do I get an idea 'on the spot' and decide to paint it. This is one of those rare occaissions:

I'm still not sure if it's enough, but I certainly like where it is going.

-Nathan

Even By My Standards...

2012-01-23T22:45:00.001-05:00

...this painting is coming along slowly.

Perhaps I have been distracted by photographing and photoshopping, hindered by my back being out of whack (minor ladder accident) and having to spend a significant amount of time on the studio floor to pull and pry the discomfort out, or maybe I should just reevaluate my standards.

I am a slow painter. I started numbering my paintings in 1998. Fourteen years later and I am approaching 100 landscapes.

Yup, this painting is right on schedule!

- jb boyd

start to finish

2012-01-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

the end

2012-01-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

I've been posting a painting in progress... here is the finished piece, along with a couple detail photos:

Reworking clouds

2012-01-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

I ended up bring down clouds Val on this one, which actually changes the movement a bit:

-Nathan

Over The Past Week...

2012-01-21T01:06:00.001-05:00

...I have been scouting out the location for my next series of paintings. The subject is Grey Bay, the body of water surrounded by marsh.

At low tide, the bay is nearly empty, except for the exposed oyster beds, while at high tide (and on a calm day), the bay is a glassy reflection pool.

This series of paintings will mimic the range of these photos, from low to high tide, full sun to moonlit.

But right now is all about finding the right angle, and once that is settled, I can really refine the mood, tide, and overall feel for each reference image.

Tomorrow though will once again be about dragging my ladder through the mud to find that perfect angle...

- jb boyd

progression

2012-01-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Here's the progression of my current painting, down to the final stages--refining the volumes, developing the hands, limbs and torso, and getting down to the nitty gritty details, like fingernails!
--Kerry

An Artist's inventory

2012-01-20T01:44:00.001-05:00

This Saturday I'll be competing in Charleston's 3rd annual Portrait Battle. The past two years I had a formula of how I worked, but I'm thinking of shaking things up this year and branch out to new materials. The first thing I'm doing is taking an inventory of odd supplies I have:

Paints, charcoals, inks, spray cans, wood stains and much more! I'm going to experiment with the various materials and see how they behave together. Hopefully I can pull some new materials together to surprise the judges this weekend.

-Nathan

Music & Art

2012-01-19T19:47:00.000-05:00

We're proud to let everyone know that a young singer named Elise Testone made it onto American Idol last night. Elise sang and played at Women Painting Women, Paint Different, and a handful of private events at the gallery. She might be the only singer that's voice can carry through the crowd at an opening. Cheers - Megan

The Pod

2012-01-19T03:03:00.001-05:00

This painting has been sitting at my easel since July, but I couldn't quite piece the story together. At this stage it's a revisit of An old character, Jason, and his fondness of jellyfish.

This is part of his new jelly-pod-mobile-...thingy.

-Nathan

Just Out of View

2012-01-18T16:43:00.000-05:00

This painting is of a house that I've fallen in love with. It's a lonely little empty house on the top of a hill. I decided to fill the composition with rich colors and snuggle the house just over the hill, leaving a little mystery for the viewer. Its 5" x 10" on panel and I'm still thinking of titles. Enjoy - Megan

Almost Complete

2012-01-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm putting the final touches on a painting I've been excited to work on since Thanksgiving. It was a night to remember. Twenty-eight warm, open, and loving people sat outside along one table and shared a meal. A flood of laughter seemed to be hanging in the air while warm little balls of light set the environment.

Observing Family - oil on 8" round panel

+robert+

Yellow Floral is Finished!

2012-01-18T00:20:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited that I've finally finished this painting! It's possible that it is the most intricate painting I've ever made. Yellow Floral, oil on panel, 20" x 30"

My next painting is inspired by Italian mosaics. Stay tuned...

- Karen

Brewvival will be upon us!

2012-01-17T22:24:00.001-05:00

There is a wondrous beer festival ever February in Charleston, and for the past three years I have designed the poster. Here is the 2012 edition:

-Nathan

homage

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

The newest piece I'm working on for the February show involves paying homage to some of my favorite contemporary painters. I placed the chrome ball on the swing of the gallery and therefore get to paint tiny little renditions of some fantastic pieces by the RLS artists. There are mini paintings of works by (from left to right) Nathan Durfee, Amy Lind, Kerry Brooks, Mia Bergeron, Joshua Flint, Fred Jamar and Adam Hall all showing up in this piece. I would have to say this was one of the most rewarding days of painting I can remember.

Cheers

+robert+

First on the Easel for 2012

2012-01-17T13:14:00.001-05:00

A little late, but here's what Im working on.

Enjoy.

Charles.

Photo Phixing

2012-01-17T11:00:00.002-05:00

This past week I've been working in front of a computer instead of the canvas. There is a catalog and a magazine that have employed my photoshop services, so these next few days will be spent in my favorite coffee shop ticking away at the laptop.

-Nathan

Empty Magazine

2012-01-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

Very honored to be featured in the newest issue of
EMPTY. This is an Australian based art magazine with
lots of international artist to enjoy.

http://www.emptymag.com/index_main.html

Charles.

2012 Schedule. Here We come!

2012-01-16T20:17:00.000-05:00

February 3, 2012 - Our first show of the new year! Robert Lange's Solo show of round paintings titled The Observer will be opening from 5-8PM, which will showcase festive treats and drinks for the public to enjoy. On 8 inch circular paintings, Lange is journaling his artistic process and the moments in between. Each painting resembles a shiny silver ball, which upon closer look reveals all encompassing reflections of specific moments within the artist's life. This will be Lange’s 10th solo show in Charleston. On view through February 26, the exhibit can be seen daily from 11-5PM.

March 2, 2012 - Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, KC Collins is a newcomer to Robert Lange Studios in the historic arts district of Downtown Charleston, the French Quarter. Collins started the series of landscape paintings for her solo show Radiate shortly after being accepted to the Robert Lange roster of artists at the beginning of 2011. The series will open on March 2 from 5-8PM with a reception that is open to the public. The artist draws inspiration from back roads and quiet forests, combining qualities of both to create a portrait of the natural world. These introspective moments usually consist of ambiguous locales allowing the viewer to draw from their own nostalgia.

April 6 - Kerry Brooks Solo - Through the month of April and opening on April 6 from 5-8 p.m., is a show of Prismacolored pencil works by artist Kerry Brooks. RLS presents this classically trained contemporary artist with her solo show featuring a series of fifteen Prismacolor pencil drawings where she has built narratives around cut-out pieces of paper that she styles with her models.

May 4 - Art Walk - Big Group Show - Theme to be announced

June 1 - During Spoleto - Nathan Durfee Solo

July 13 - Palette & Palate - Joshua Flint Solo

August 3 - Fred Jamar Solo

September 7 - Charles Williams Solo

October 5 - Art Walk - Erik Johnson

November 2 - CFADA Weekend - Amy Lind, Mia Bergeron, Ali Cavanaugh

December 7 - Art Walk - Robert Lange

A few of these might change but for now this looks like it's the line-up. Hope to see everyone!

Photorealism...

2012-01-16T18:28:00.001-05:00

...is an often overused term, but in this case it may be apt. The photorealists of the 70's set out to make paintings that replicated photographs exactly.

I usually use photos to capture the chaos and detail of nature, avoiding the gross generalities of plein air paintings. But this little painting is more of the former and less of the later, as I am using only a photo for reference.

The funny thing is our eyes work like a shallow depth of field camera lens, but our brains are quick to compensate to make whatever we want to focus on be in focus. Here, the focus is the foreground orchid, so I painted the background, stem, and second flower wet so the edges are soft and blurry.

Using a razor I can cut or "erase" the flower on top, and painting it over the dry background the front edges remain sharp. Now all that is left is to let these petals dry and paint the next on top, keeping those sharp edges too.

- jb boyd

Nathan's Latest Two

2012-01-16T15:36:00.000-05:00

"Meowskavitz Will be Heard" and "Bartholomeus Takes the Plunge" Two new paintings from Nathan Durfee. Enjoy - Megan

I Started This Painting...

2012-01-15T20:49:00.001-05:00

...perhaps back in May while I was finishing "ul 98 (so real)." It is the first of the three remaining Grey Bay landscapes. I adored the composition, but the companion piece, a nighttime moonlight view of the same scene, scared me on a technical level.

Instead of making this a centerpiece for my then upcoming show, I hid it in storage to be completed at a later date.

Hello today! And if all lines up right, this may end up being my 100th landscape painting, which, bear with me, I may turn into a very big deal, cause, well, I can! I think?...

- jb boyd

From the Studio

2012-01-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

I'm working feverishly towards my show in March. I have about eight pieces in progress and just completed these first two. - KC

Adam's 8' Piece

2012-01-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

Adam Hall started this piece a few months ago and when the 8' box arrived I was bursting with excitement to open it. Inside was this:

Enjoy - Megan

step 3

2012-01-12T19:29:00.000-05:00

slowly building form through color and value, while leaving the underpainting more visible in transparent layers of shadow...

...stay tuned!

Presently Working On Presents...

2012-01-12T19:27:00.003-05:00

...in my studio. The saw is coming along, with a little extra time spent to make sure the edges of the teeth are completely sealed.

In art school people would constantly remark on the edges of my paintings (perhaps because I was the odd realist out in a markedly abstract school and no one knew what to do with the kid who painted photorealistic clouds on deep gallery stretchers) which has served me well in later years.

Conservatorialy speaking, edges and the corners they form are the weakest point of a painting. If not sealed correctly (and sadly 9 out of 10 are not) the paint will slowly eat away at the edges (oil paint gives off heat as it dries over it's lifetime) or in this case, rust can form and eat into the painted areas.

But because I am a stickler for the details and seal each panel (or saw) front and back from sides to sides, hopefully my paintings will last an extra couple of hundred years (big fingers crossed) with a minimum of conservatorial effort.

- jb boyd

step 2

2012-01-12T19:26:00.000-05:00

introducing more saturated color, along with true black,

not unlike piecing together a mosiac

work in progress

2012-01-12T19:23:00.000-05:00

For those of you who might be interested to see the evolution of an oil painting, I'll be posting my recent work as it progresses. Step 1- burnt umber and white underpainting in thin washes

- Kerry

Goodbye Tahoe

2012-01-12T16:30:00.001-05:00

After almost a month in Tahoe, I've packed my bags and am heading back to Charleston. As I was heading over the mountain into Reno, I was treated to this view:

A perfect treat. Also, I was able to finish the last of my Houstan 'Oscar' series. Here is the final piece:

In a couple of hours, I'll be back in glorious Charleston!-Nathan

before the frames arrive

2012-01-12T11:13:00.000-05:00

Nine of the round paintings hanging on the gallery wall. The frames arrive tomorrow.

+robert+

Karen's Patterns

2012-01-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

Karen's patterned paintings have been very well received. These two will be heading to their new home tomorrow. Enjoy - Megan

RLS in Charleston Style & Design

2012-01-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

Take a look at the latest Charleston Style & Design to see the gallery as the backdrop for their photo spread. In this image, Kerry Brooks piece is in the background along with the swing and a touch of Adrienne Stein's painting in the front. Enjoy - Megan

The Horizon

2012-01-10T14:19:00.000-05:00

Another painting to enjoy. Titled, Take on the Horizon 6" x 6" on panel Megan Aline

Zen gaming

2012-01-10T03:18:00.001-05:00

I'm at a stopping point with this piece, but I'm not fully satisfied with it:

Although I'm happy with how the man turned out, the clouds are still bothering me. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll know what to do.-Nathan

To Paraphrase My Favorite...

2012-01-10T01:41:00.001-05:00

...cigar smoking A-Teamer, "I love it when a plan comes together!"

And with a lot of little mark making to create a wavy sea (and even better some delayed posting to make it look quick) poof, "us 23 (howl)" is complete.

- jb boyd

One of the three

2012-01-08T18:55:00.001-05:00

I've just finished one of the Pieces in my 'oscars' triptych.

This is someone announcing the winner for the award.-Nathan

Meowskavitz on the move

2012-01-08T01:58:00.001-05:00

There are some little details missing, but this piece is just about done!

-Nathan

The Horizon Line...

2012-01-07T23:38:00.001-05:00

...is the most important part of a landscape painting, and I usually devote an entire day to it's creation. It is not a straight line, as the world is not flat, but an ever so subtly curved line.

The trick is to make it curved enough to not be flat, but flat enough to not be noticeably curved, and then the brain will take over and read it as flat. Next time you see a landscape painting and something appears just a little bit off, check the horizon line from the side of the painting.

Chances are it is yard stick straight, or even more nauseating and vertigo inducing, higher on one side or the other.

- jb boyd

Honest Abe...

2012-01-06T12:29:00.000-05:00

Here are a few things in progress right now. Do you know this guy? I taped a real penny in the bottom right corner to give a sense of the scale. I suppose I could also have used a shiny new penny but I just loved the texture and grit of the one I ended up using.

And here's a smaller, simpler painting that's close to completion. I love capturing things that are ephemeral and rendering them into a permanent form. The smoke from an extinguished candle disappears so quickly but is truly beautiful if you really observe it closely -E

Triptych for Houston

2012-01-06T03:29:00.001-05:00

Now that the backgrounds are painted in, I'm really happy with where this series is going...

There is still a lot of work to go, but they look cohesive. I'm also liking this background so much that I'm going to go back into my other paintings and add this palette to it.-Nathan

Little Paintings...

2012-01-05T21:58:00.001-05:00

...require little brushes. And I thought this a fun shot of all the colors that get packed into a sunset.

Because the weather has turned cold, I can manipulate the drying time of my paints, which is helpful when using little brushes, as this sky took almost four days to complete.

But since the drying time is longer, there is no noticeable seam, just one smooth luminous sky.

- jb boyd

miracle hair grow

2012-01-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

I took another in-progress photo and noticed that I'd been working on growing my model's hair. Guess it's an organic process for me! - Kerry

paper lilies

2012-01-04T17:39:00.000-05:00

until spring comes, I'll have to content myself with paper flowers -Kerry

Lady in blue

2012-01-04T03:17:00.001-05:00

This is one of the pieces for the group show in Houston.

-Nathan

Another Angle

2012-01-03T13:36:00.000-05:00

To give everyone a better idea of what is happening in these paintings. Here are two angles of the same painting in its frame. The paintings just appear spherical but are actually flat. Enjoy! Megan

Bartholomeus and his fall

2012-01-03T03:14:00.001-05:00

I'm almost finished with this piece.

I enjoy how little sense it makes without looking at my previous works.-Nathan

No messing around in 2012!

2012-01-03T00:39:00.002-05:00

I have been going back and forth between my home and Redux studio, making some new paintings. I am in love with primary colors and geometric quilts right now! This is just the beginning of this 18" x 24" oil on panel.

To balance the craziness of the color palette and pattern, I've also started a more subdued floral (below).

It's a 20" x 30" oil on panel. I hope to have it complete by the end of the week.

Enjoy - Karen

What a Year . . .

2011-12-31T19:47:00.003-05:00

. . . . here's to 2012 and a few paintings to send us out of 2011.

Future Memory, 15" x 10", oil on illustration board (paper) mounted on panel

Silent Cities , 12" x 12" , oil on panel

The Language of Weather , 5" x 7", oil on panel - Joshua

The zen

2011-12-31T02:22:00.001-05:00

I'm working on about 8 pieces while in Tahoe. This one has a man meditating over a video game. A little tongue in cheek, but I'll be taking a very serene approach to it.

-Nathan

Back into the swing of things

2011-12-30T16:00:00.001-05:00

I've been taking some time off for family these holidays. Now, just before the wondrous 2012 starts, I'm getting back to work. Among my starting paintings is this piece...

This will be part of a group show in Dallas.-Nathan

Fog & Hill

2011-12-29T15:36:00.001-05:00

Robert and I have been hibernating in the home studio since Christmas and making some new paintings for you to enjoy. This latest is of a house hidden in the fog. It's a 6" x 6" oil on panel and has a little floater frame. The second is of a house sitting in the sun on a hill, it's 6" x 8." Enjoy -Megan

Joshua Flint Does it Again!

2011-12-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

One of the most popular series of pieces we've had in the gallery were by Joshua Flint of Grand Central. He just finished these two very large commissions to add to the series just in time for some holiday cheer. Both are 30 x 40 oil on panel. Enjoy - Megan

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-25T02:57:00.001-05:00

...Colin's Mom & Dad! Your son must love you a lot, for he has traded his time and considerable skills for my time and skills as a painter to paint your saw.

The process won't be quick, so please be patient, but you can follow the making of your painting on this blog!

Here I'm giving it a light sand by hand to add a little tooth back in after going over it with an orbital sander and using solution to remove as much rust as possible.

Then I roll out oil ground paying close attention to cover all the edges. This will dry in a few days, then I'll flip it and do the other side, completely sealing it in the repetition of this month long process.

But tonight I get to smile at the blank surface of this uniquely shaped painting, imagining all the things it may be, and I hope you share my excitement for this unique gift!

- jb boyd

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-12-23T23:14:00.001-05:00

I so glad you chose a late but original present over on time and generic, because this flower will never go bad. Here is the reference photo taped over the panel.

With charcoal spread over the back of the photo, I've traced the needed shapes. A simple line drawing is the result.

To build values of light and dark, I use burnt sienna and burnt umber which will do the trick and dry quickly.

I used a little bit of yellow too, forgetting that it does not dry quickly, and have been waiting a week for it to dry. Errr.

I was hoping to have it finished and photographed for you today, but instead check back in to the blog to see it grow, knowing the entire time that I love you and thank you, for everything you have helped me to be!

- jb

Cardinals Fan

2011-12-23T19:28:00.000-05:00

A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan just got this tonight as an early Christmas surprise. His wife gets some major brownie points for commissioning this months ago from Nathan Durfee. Enjoy - Megan

A Last Minute Present

2011-12-21T15:44:00.000-05:00

I finishing all of my Christmas commissions and have had just enough time to finish this piece.
Cheers - Megan

With Peace 6" x 8" acrylic and gold leaf on panel $350 (framed) Megan Aline

new kitten, new painting

2011-12-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

Our new kitten "E" posing with my newest round painting for the February show.

+robert+

New RLS Artist

2011-12-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

We're proud to announce that we have just picked up painter Karen Ann Myers. Enjoy! Megan

Finished in the tall grass

2011-12-18T19:47:00.001-05:00

-Nathan

Playing in the tall grass

2011-12-18T00:24:00.001-05:00

-Nathan

Four New Fred Paintings

2011-12-16T12:17:00.000-05:00

Fred just dropped these little paintings off today. Enjoy, Megan

KC Collins Two Latest Paintings

2011-12-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

KC Collins just finished these two new pieces. They are stunning. Enjoy - Megan

In the tall grass

2011-12-15T21:21:00.001-05:00

I thought I had this painting figured out, but now that I've painted the grass I feel that the sky is lacking. I'll need to go back in and adjust it, but for now, I'm leaving the paint to dry.

-Nathan

The new suit.

2011-12-15T01:13:00.001-05:00

I'm going to need another day of work, but today was spent painting the space suit, and I'm really happy with the results.

-Nathan

half shiny

2011-12-14T23:45:00.000-05:00

I kind of love how odd these paintings look when the first layer is only about half finished.

+robert+

Couple Of Progress Shots...

2011-12-14T17:46:00.001-05:00

...are the pictorial subject of this post.

You can clearly see the charcoal scribbles on the orangey-pink panel left from the transfer process which the lowest image was used for.

This first layer of paint is the process of blocking in shapes, establishing big lights and darks in tone.

Some artists would call this painting complete, as from a few steps back (or in a low resolution photo) the illusion of space is successful.

But I want to pack as much as possible in this little painting. I want an illusion of atmosphere that sticks when your nose is practically touching it.

So this painting goes to the drying wall (to hang out with "us 22 (eternal life)" which is now complete) and most likely will be put aside for a time until I have the time to paint the next layer.

- jb boyd

Compounding

2011-12-14T00:42:00.001-05:00

This piece is slowly becoming mylar intricate painting yet.

There's just been so much buildup. As I progressed through the painting I'd add more and more stuff, going back and reworking sections. It's really coming together.
-Nathan

Triptych almost finished!

2011-12-13T00:19:00.001-05:00

After almost a year of meeting, interviews, planning and painting, the triptych is almost finished!

-Nathan

The Final Layer...

2011-12-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

...goes on tonight. Well, sort of. Sort of because hopefully it will get a varnish in a year or so, and I might put a clear transparent coat on tomorrow night, but tonight I have three tasks.

Clean up the dark greens in the water, smooth the transition in the sky, and add flecks of sea foam to soften the edge along the crashing wave. And then it will be done (sort of)!

- jb boyd

Recent . . .

2011-12-12T13:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a newish painting that never touch down in the gallery but found a great home.

"Landing", 36" x 24", oil on canvas

local focus

2011-12-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

Its been nice painting local landmarks in these new pieces. Normally I steer clear of subject matter that many other Charleston artists have tackled, and tackled well. However, because of the format of the silver ball it feels fresh.

+robert+

unmasked

2011-12-11T20:15:00.000-05:00

...a gradual revealing... --Kerry

The band

2011-12-10T20:53:00.001-05:00

-Nathan

Small Paintings Are...

2011-12-10T02:59:00.001-05:00

...such a delight. The wall is big enough to keep all the reference material, a day's work is actual progress, and I don't feel pugilistic in using little brushes.

Thinking about it now, I probably should have painted this under-layer in a simple monotone of burnt sienna or even sap green, given that the values of tonality will define this painting, but this will do too.

- jb boyd

Diptych-ish?

2011-12-09T23:06:00.001-05:00

I have two pieces in the works:

They didn't start out as a diptych, and although the stories are very different their compositions are undeniably similar.

-Nathan

The great fruit...

2011-12-09T11:48:00.000-05:00

I don't really like to eat olives but I've always loved them from an aesthetic standpoint. So here's a small 5x7 ode to the olive.

new work

2011-12-09T11:35:00.000-05:00

learning to be vulnerable... -Kerry

The couple

2011-12-09T03:35:00.000-05:00

This commission is really coming together. All that's left are the people.

-Nathan

In the works

2011-12-08T23:04:00.000-05:00

A new 24x24 tree painting I've been playing around with...

-KC

Two Views...

2011-12-08T00:33:00.001-05:00

...of a completed first layer. Now that I have a road map of what the painting will look like, I can plan out where it needs to go.

But for now it will go to the big wall to dry, and yet stay in my sight line so I can make those decisions while I work on another.

- jb boyd

When I Travel...

2011-12-07T17:59:00.001-05:00

...I make sure to take the scenic route. I've seen a large swath of this country in this manner, but over this Thanksgiving, I found a new corner to which I will return.

Even better, I got a photo on the first trip! Who knows if it will make it to a painted form, but I simply adore the rolling hillsides covered in young winter wheat.

- jb boyd

another shiny moment

2011-12-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

I'm loving the act of photographing these new round paintings. This is the newest piece sitting on a bench in my backyard.

The First Neglected Painting...

2011-12-06T06:04:00.001-05:00

...is a small commission of a fiery sunset.

The top image is the reference photo.

The middle pink panel is the painting surface.

And the bottom image is a photo that I have used to trace the main shapes onto the panel.

All the prep was done a long time ago, so it's nice to pick it off the storage wall and get working!

- jb boyd

on the ground

2011-12-05T20:47:00.000-05:00

one of the new round paintings sitting on the ground outside the gallery.

kimono

2011-12-05T02:05:00.000-05:00

A mid progress shot of the newest round piece. I am really enjoying process of revealing the entirety of a moment in these pieces. I love that the figure is possibly removed as the central focus and instead every element within the room, including the figure, reveals an equal amount of a specific moment.

+robert+

new work, new frames

2011-12-04T15:37:00.000-05:00

This piece isn't completely finished yet, it still needs a varnish layer but I couldn't wait to put it in the frame. Our amazingly talented friends at Handcrafted are making these gorgeous mahogany and ebonized oak frames for my February show entitled "The Observer"

robert +

The color dilemma

2011-12-03T23:47:00.001-05:00

My brain is hurting trying to wrap around the color balance in this piece:

This man is actually in a transparent mask (as the purple monster's babysitter) and I'm having difficulty deciding how opaque the mask should be and what colors should be in the background. I'm going to step away from this piece for now, but I have a feeling some big changed are needed.

-Nathan

Is It Still Spring Cleaning...

2011-12-03T21:29:00.001-05:00

...if it happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Either way, it is one of those rare times my studio walls are empty of any project(s), so out comes the house paint and spackle to hide the holes, paint spatters, crushed bugs, and smudges from my dirty feet on the walls that accumulate from painting to painting.

I have a bunch of long neglected small paintings and unfinished studies to work on the small wall, but I'm wondering what big project should go on the big wall.

And I'm loving having now clean brushes. These are the work horses of my arsenal. But I am most excited about a spray paint face lift for my mixing tables.

The grey now under the glass creates a neutral tone to judge mixed paints against. Hopefully this will eliminate the surprises when it looks great on the palette but is way off on the painting.

- jb boyd

Escape into Life website feature

2011-12-01T18:35:00.001-05:00

Thank you to Escape into Life website for featuring me and my upcoming solo show.

Here's the link. http://www.escapeintolife.com/press-release-exhibit-art-show/charles-williams-new-series-capture/

Enjoy.

Charles.