Straight thanks to tape...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I've been busy with the straight lines of the bridge structure lately, and thanks to painters tape I appear to have a very steady touch with the brush. If I were to be doing it freehand, I doubt there'd be a straight line to be found.

Because I have so much unfinished, I often sit staring at the painting, trying to decide which element to tackle next. My brain wants to do it all at once, but my hand and brush aren't capable of pulling that off. I doubt there is a painter alive who could.

Maybe, if I started painting with both hands at the same time I'd get more accomplished.

Bri-

On order...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

So, I've ordered up some new canvases, paint, and some screen printing ink. Life still goes on with the bridge as well.

One thing I noticed the other day was how the main reference photo I'm working from, has the bridge in shades of tan and brown, but in the real world, it's steel is green. Now I have to decide wether or not if I want to make it green in my painting.

No matter what I decide, I'll have to continue with the brown tones, so that it's a consistent tone through out, even if I add touches of green. I have to say I like the idea of green.

Bri-

How'd it turn out? Well...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I got asked today how the painting of the bridge turned out and I wish that I could have answered "Great", but it's still in process. I know it will turn out great, just not by tomorrow.

The bridge is coming into view, and the building on the west side of the river are coming along nicely. It's just taking it's sweet time to come together, that and I'm busy making sure I get all the details right.

For such a big canvas, I'm using a pretty small brush right now.

I was hoping too, to get started on a new dog commission, but discovered that I'm out of stock on the canvas size I'm going to paint, so it's going to be more bridge painting for the next week, before anyone sees anything else. Including me.

Bri-

sketches and painting

I did some sketches for a new painting the other day, and of course it will feature a dog. I feel bad that I haven't been posting any dog paintings lately so, here's the sketches.

I've also been very busy working on "PDX Spring Night", and love the way it's turning out. More details are going into the Portland skyline, and I'll be doing more with the bridge supports as well.

Fear not, I have not given up on dogs, soon I will start the canvas for Dixie here to the left.

Bri-

Happy New Year...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Welcome to the New Year blogger readers. Today, I used the horizontal position of my easel in order to splatter the canvas. I think it worked great. It took longer to cover the walls and floor with newspaper than it did to get the paint onto the canvas.

I'm glad I spent the time covering everything even if it cut into my painting time. Sometimes doing things like that take some of my creative energy away, and I have to admit it did a little today, but I worked through it, and I'm happy with the results.

May you all have a 2011 filled with creativity and adventure.

Bri-

Buildings here and there...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

The buildings are starting to appear in the background, and the lines are a great suggestion of form, but no where near accurate.

I think the abstract part of the painting still needs a few more elements before I call it done.

At the moment I'm going over the playlist for tomorrow nights New Years Eve Party at the Eltrym Theater. I can't wait to see "The Cats of Mirikitani" and to hit the dance floor. Hope to see lots of people there.

Bri-

Northern Lights...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I love the addition of the green to the sky, and have started to add elements of the Hawthorne Bridge and PDX skyline now.

It's all going as planned and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Bri-

Water under a bridge...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

It's very exciting to be doing new things with paint, and my paintings. Today, I added elements to the sky and put down the start of the water.

Some of it soaks into the canvas quicker than expected and others stay wet and workable longer. No matter what it's doing right, I love it.

We'll see what X-mas eve brings.

Bri-

The sky grows over the bridge...

"PDX Spring Night"

(in progress)

36"x18" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Today at the gallery, I worked on the sky off and on. Some of the paint I mixed was darker than I expected, but it also turned out better on the canvas than it looked in the mixing cup.

Most of what I did with the silver works for me, but the upper right hand corner. I also think it looks more cloud like than I intended. At this point it doesn't matter too much because it will get obscured as the sky grows.

My friend Katherine calls the layers of paint, "History", and that's what's developing here. It's history in the making.

Bri-