SUMMERLAND show opens tonight!

"Land Patterns"

Tonight my landscape show, "SUMMERLAND" opens at 

Brian Marki Fine Art in Portland, Oregon! 

23 pieces in all - runs thru October 2nd, 2013

 

The Hour of Romance...

"The Hour of Romance" (30x30)

This piece will be in my show opening September 6th at Brian Marki Fine Art in Portland, OR.

23 landscapes in all... (the new work will be on their web site shortly at which time I will post a link).

Peace in the Valley (24x30) o/c

This plein air painting will be in my show, "Summerland" opening September 6th at Brian Marki Fine Art in Portland, OR. 

I came across this scene in Banks, Oregon; a rural community west of Portland that butts up against the east side of the Coastal mountain range... It has a kind of northern California feel to it since I reshaped the trees a little once I got it back in the studio.

I have eucalyptus (which are rare up here) on the brain right now...should probably see a specialist about that...

Plein Air in the Columbia Gorge

 Idyll Hour (20x24) o/c

The Columbia River divides the States of Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest and has one of the most scenic drives known as "The Gorge"...a beautiful cavernous section of forest-lined cliffs carved by water over thousands of years. The mountains there turn an almost unbelievable brilliant rich blue with the moisture in the air on overcast days. I recently painted these pieces on sight there with my Russian born artist friend, Anton Pavlenko...

Blue Grandeur (24x30) o/c

I usually desire a sunny day for plein air painting, but after experiencing the gorge on a day like this, I will definitely be returning on the grey days!

Delicate Hands progress shots

 Day 1; block-in...

 Day 2; adding detail, adjusting value...

"Delicate Hands" (20x24 o/p)

This piece was juried into the American Impressionist Society's 14th Annual exhibition and will hang at M Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina from Sept, 28 thru Nov 2nd, 2013.

Five O'clock Shadow

"Five O'clock Shadow" (9x12)

Painted this one on site somewhere in the country west of where we live in Oregon... I could find it again, but probably couldn't tell you how I got there. Sometimes you drive around waiting for the light to get good -- sometimes you drive around looking for a decent subject to sketch... Either way, you usually do a lot of driving around, but at least this time I came home with something.

Sometimes you don't...

Quick Sketch

"Sheridan Spring"

We had one nice break in the weather the other day, so I ventured out in the early evening into an area I had not visited before. I came across this configuration, and with a little artistic license (but not much) came home with the above quick sketch... 

Today, back to the rain...

Trimmed in Blue

Trimmed in Blue (16x18 o/c)

Progress on "Mood Indigo"...

 Progress shot #1 (30x40)

I started with a simple line drawing in a thin wash over my pencil lines (which were scaled up on a grid from a smaller sketch). Then I erased the pencil lines and lightly stained the canvas with burnt sienna...

 Progress shot 2

The model I hired here is Amber, a professional jazz singer in the Portland area... The reference for the male figure came from photos of the late Mississippi Fred McDowell.

 Finished close up

Detail...

Back to Work...

 

 "Night Shift" (20x24) o/p

Back at it in the studio today, and thankful for a wonderful weekend with family and friends...life is good (because it's life)...

(detail)

WEEKEND WORKSHOP IN APRIL

"Backstage" (24x30) o/c

The date is getting closer for my Figure Painting Workshop, April 6th & 7th at the Hansen Studio in Oregon City -- Several spaces left, details at top right under "Events" (Oregon City Workshop)...

Everyday Hero

 "Everyday Hero" (16x12)

When I was in the first grade, the school janitors name was Joe.  I liked Joe, everyone did -- he was the friendly guy who always had a smile and even knew your name if you took time to talk to him (which he always enjoyed no matter how busy he was). 
 

I never knew his last name or even thought much about him outside of school (he was such a fixture, I probably thought he lived there) but somehow his presence made an impact on my young world and I'm glad he was there on the job, every day...

I gave this painting the title "Everyday Hero" because of the often overlooked nobility inherent in those vocations that seem less than noble...AND the fact that hard working people like this can make a positive and profound impression on young minds, even though they only appear to function in the background where we pay little attention... 

This piece will be in an upcoming solo exhibition opening at Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 25th. 

New Work

 "What We Never Talk About" (36x48) o/c

This is another piece for my show in Scottsdale next month...I'd like to do more of these narratives that have an open-ended story line that the viewer can surmise on their own.  As in, are they married? (she's wearing a ring)...is it his ring, or is this a secret rendezvous affair, and that's what they never discuss...?

She's not entirely satisfied -- communication breakdown is always an accessory, if not the root of marital discord.  Perhaps she just wants to "talk" more and not treat this like a business. Maybe it's not a business at all, but a lonesome pattern of routine...the human condition. Then again, they may not even really know each other; married singles as the title may suggest, or just two lonely people escaping other issues and responsibilities. 

Either way, he's obviously tuned out...

But what do YOU see?

Serenade to a Debutante

 Serenade to a Debutante (24x20)

 Been working on a solo show that will open this spring at Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ.  It will be comprised of music related pieces, vocational subject matter and various narrative works.

 (detail)

(detail)

 

Iron Maiden

 "Iron Maiden" (16x20 o/c)

This Painting was juried into the American Impressionist Society's National Exhibition, to be held at Eckert & Ross Fine Art in Indianapolis, Indiana this November... It is from a series I am currently working on toward a solo show next year at Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona.  I am exploring working class vocations along with general daily chores, looking for beauty in the mundane action of everyday life...

 (detail)

This is the same model, Pam who posed for "Laundry Day" (a few posts back) and did an outstanding job for me. She is not at all as dower as she appears here, but I wanted to portray an intent concentration -- thanks Pam!

 (detail)

(detail)

Cuisinart

It Says Here... (16x20)

(Detail)

Last month my wife and I went to a local fine dining restaurant for our anniversary. The food was fabulous, but so was the kitchen which was in open view to the restaurant patrons. I was so intrigued by the action there that I asked the manager if I could come back and take a few reference photos to paint from...

Five Spice Kitchen (16x20)

  (Detail)

He was very obliging and told me I was welcomed to any time, so I came back the very next week and these are the results... I've seen other artists do this subject matter before of course, but everyone has their own approach and style. What I enjoyed most are the abstract patterns you get with all the stainless steel in the background with the ovens, fridge, and counter tops -- lots of information to interpret loosely.

Finishing Touch (12x16)

I'd like to do more of this subject -- most everyone can relate to good food and restaurants, even if they only experience it once a year like us (darn economy).

Bon Appetit! 

Happy Holidays!

 

Dancer at Rest (30x24) o/c

  Well, the end of another year has arrived, and they just seem to keep coming faster...  No matter -- I am still here and enjoying my life and family now more than ever.  I want to wish any and all who periodically check this blog the best of everything -- happiness, peace and good health in the coming year, and to those of you who paint & create, much success in your endeavors.  
Stay true to yourselves, love your neighbor and ditto on all the following salutations:


"Live long and prosper" -- Spock
"Be well and do good work" -- Garrison Keillor
"May all your wildest dreams come true" -- Pedro Sanchez
"Take care polar bear" -- Lily Bowman (age 6)


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

Eric Bowman