Uncle Bud's Art Colony

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

I was going to show more of my pix from my Michigan trip but I saw this in my yard. In 19 years I don't remember this tree ever blooming like this.

When my Dad passed away 19 years ago I wanted to plant one of his favorite trees, a Tulip Poplar. This tree has the most beautiful blooms, but like I said I don't remember seeing these fantastic blooms. I have drawn this tree in fall and winter. I did water colors of it in spring. But look at it now.

I like this composition. Shadow and light. The bloom is actually a bright yellow. With a warm orange and cone inside the birds and bees love this tree. The pollinators love this bloom. I think it's interesting this weekend we drove hundreds of miles to find a beautiful spot and right here in my yard I find this.

Well you bet I will paint this at some point. Thanks to Dad for this weekend and this tree! How amazing!

This is why I say keep your brushes wet and ready to go!

Dad's Tulip Poplar

7:36 AM

Kathy

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Finding the right composition of a painting or drawing is many times the first step in putting it down on paper. Finding a place where it is possible to do that sometimes is harder. In this location with the lake and trees it was easy.

One thing we often hear is the odd, one, three, five, rule; This picture is perfect for this, three trees and then one and one again for a total of five.
In your home decor you would want that.

Okay now look at the darks in the distance and the reflection in the lake. Some things could be left out at the bottom of the bank closest to us. These are things we would start with and need to be addressed.

Lay in the blue sky and the greens of the bushes. Add red to the far trees, this will dull the strong color and add flavor in the far distant trees.

This pix was on the first morning, we got up early and jumped into the day. It's a little after 6 am. The whole area reminds me of photos I've seen of Germany.

Well get out your pencils and dip in with your brushes. Lets paint on!

Natures Composition

7:18 AM

Kathy

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We ( my boys and I ) went to a vacation spot as a child I visited to since 1950's. In Northern Michigan, we went mushroom hunting and fishing. My goodness was it fun. I got to draw and take pictures of stuff we will explore later in this Blog.

So much to tell and do. So in the next few post we will see some Ideas I have been kicking around. My youngest son had to stay home and work but maybe next year we can take him and expand the fun!

Well I got to unpack and and keep your brushes wet and sharpen your pencils.

Weekend Fun

6:16 PM

Kathy

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So in my studio I have to make a few other concessions to art. My friends Web and Karen who live on the lake wanted to have this anchor repainted and their names on it.

I used a pair of quills a #10 and #8 Mack. The anchor is a cut out in pine, three individual pieces. Then with wood screws and glue from the back hook together. I painted the whole thing after I sanded it and filled in any holes or dents in the wood.

I had to wait 24 hours to let every thing cure. Then I did a lay out and Lettered it with One Shot sign painters paint. I this view you can see my buddie Boo Boo in the door way. Plus all my junk in the "Art Room."

So you see as long as you have a room or closet you can paint. It all comes down to desire. If your want to is large enough your how will come true.

Then for today lets dip in and letter and paint with our brushes good and wet!

Anchor It and Boo Boo Too!

7:48 AM

Kathy

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Monet started our as a child doing caricatures. In fact he said at one time had he continued doing them he would have been a millionaire.

As you may or may not remember I also painted this and posted it, only I left the girls out. Monet painted his step daughters in this painting near a home they were renting.

I am always amazed at the quick brush strokes the touch and go of His paintings. Monet not only captured the light but also the atmosphere. Shadows play a large part in his paintings but we are so taken by the light that we dismiss them. Look how it forms the base of this project.

Monet was the master of these impressionist paintings. He never really left the technique although later in his life as he was going blind from the cataracts his paintings became more abstract. After his surgery he still was a little more abstract as in the giant waterlily painting He donated to France and the museum in Paris.

Well kids we should all dip in and keep our brushes wet. And add some shadows!

He did it Better!

2:21 PM

Kathy

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Vincent Van Gogh changed our perception of the heavens. He brought the sky and stars to life. Before this time we had no thought that the sky lights were alive.

People have looked to the sky for thousands of years. Some have wondered if there is life up there. But Van Gogh brought the sky alive.

After this painting was witnessed by the thousands in the 1920's and later people recognized the genius of Van Gogh.

At some point we felt the wind and and the blaze of the moon and stars. He made you look again at the way the heavens were laid out. The ancient Greeks told the story of the warriors, heroes, and the lovers in the sky. But for the first time a painter showed the aurora of the light in the sky.

Songs and other poems were written about this painting. Van Gogh was a person to draw as you can see in the village below. His cypress trees scratch the sky and bring our eyes to the heavens again and then down to the church steeple.

Okay lets look up tonight, and keep our brushes wet for the night sky!

Starry Night - Stars Alive!

7:19 AM

Kathy

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A Few weeks ago I drew a picture of this painting an posted it. It was the view we had at OSU when I was doing my chemo. I thought it was a cool look The buildings on the far side of the street. The concrete post of the parking garage in the air. The cool blue of the sky and the reds of the brick buildings.

I painted this on Masonite board. The slick surface is fun to paint on. I can get a smooth look of concrete and some texture of the brick at the same time.

I also like the stark shapes of the parking garage and the geometric way the building looks. this is a departure for me and I hope you like it.

Anyway got to go stuff is piling up today, keep your brushes wet and paint on!