Cupulas y Sombras (Domes and Shadows) - 24x18

 

Cupulas y Sombras (Domes and Shadows)- 24x18

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in Cuba the mix of modern life, 1940's cars, and centuries old architecture is alluring to me and my paintbrush.

the underlying goal in this one was distinctive color, loosey goosey brushwork and a spark of crazy color (the cab and orange car in the distance). the more I paint the more I realize that brushwork is a way of transmitting a vibe to the viewer of the painting. It can signal repose, calmness, or action and vitality, or something in between.

 

in this painting (when I look at it anyway) I sorta feel the hustle and bustle of Havana, but at the same time, the centuries of its just 'being'.

 

like when you stand at the edge of the ocean. its as if in that one moment of looking at the waves lapping at the shore, that you can feel the eons that it's been happening.

 

my color changes happened a few months ago (and continue to morph). now the brushstrokes are evolving.

 

in painting as in life, the only constant is change. sit back and enjoy the ride!

Excursion en Coche (Joyride)-8x10

 

Excursion en Coche (Joyride)

8x10 oil on panel

 

a cool street scene from the trip

Solo en la Calle (Alone in the Street) -24x30

 

Solo en la Calle (Alone in the Street)- 24x30

headed to Gallery on Greene- Key West

 

my focus on this painting was to play warms against cools colorfully in the shadows. and use the 2/3 shadow against 1/3 light value plan I loved in my sketch.

 

the chrome on the car glinting in the sunlight should draw your eye more than anything in the painting. the very definition on a focal point. the car is the star of the show and the buildings are the supporting actors in this one

Viejo Canon Habana (Old Havana Canyons) -18x24

Viejo Canon Habana (Old Havana Canyons)  18x24

First large one in the series done. doing all the sketching, prelim studies and careful planning made this come together pretty quickly. I'm happy with the cohesiveness of the image even tho' I want the street scene to reflect the somewhat chaotic, disorderly nature of old town Havana. looks like a lot without being a lot. Also playing with cools over warms and warms over cools and loose edges through out.

Adventures in Old Havana

Ok. so I'm back from my painting trip to Cuba. what can I say? It was a blast! sorta like Italy (in the city) but with coconut palms, and sorta like mexico out in the country. My kinda Caribbean place. The music was awesome. to hear what its like go to Pandora and listen to Buena Vista Social Club

 

here's a link to youtube to see me jamming on my ukulele with some Cuban street performers. kinda cool. check it out

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPNo5zTLgaw&sns=em

 

the musicians there were intrigued with the uke and said it was very uncommon to see one there.

 

thanks to Nance at Gallery on Greene for asking me to go and her assistant Karen for getting me there and keeping me under her wing and outta trouble. she was cool under pressure and did a terrific job in unknown territory.The consummate professional. also thanks to Faviola and Giovanni the best tour guides in Cuba. No! the world!

 

I have tons of sketches and photos, as well as a plein air piece or two from the trip. and I'm stoked to start larger paintings, for the gallery, from them.

 

Here's the first one in the pipeline.

 

 

 my reference photo

 

the underpainting showing whats in the light and whats in shadow. underpaintings are fun for me because its pure color and loose as heck!

 

more on the adventure later.

 

also don't forget that I start my four week drawing class at The Studios of Key West in January. I'm also doing private lessons if you come outta snow country for a vacation to Key West. i'm  here at my winter studio the whole winter. just email me to reserve your dates.