Saturday, December 31, 2011

Salon Showcase 2011-W52

Incredibly, we managed to get our blog posted in all 52 weeks this year.  After some pondering, the blogmaster was inspired to end with a retrospective of works from amongst the year's best efforts.  And thus, proudly presented below are the six Blogmaster's Choices.  Please enjoy re-appreciating these terrific paintings from the 2011 Salon deWinchester.
 

Who wouldn't be charmed by this lovely urban landscape?  Beautifully colored and so inviting...  Eileen's night isn't frightening, but instead offers refuge from the worries of the day.  I want to kick my feet along the cobblestones and investigate what lies beyond the bend.    I have never been to Paris but this picture made me feel as if I could walk down that street and have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee.  I had just lost some weight following (French) Dr. Dukan's diet and was grateful to him — hence the title. ~ Eileen

Merci Docteur Dukan
 

I can't wait to see Marge finish up this fascinating work in progress.  Yet even now, this small excerpt shows how Marge effortlessly projects multiple perspective planes into one harmonious work.  The rest of the Salon members would do well to follow her lead in 2012 and begin to explore artistic expression of a non-representational modality.    The inspiration for this work originated from a venue of conversation, gossip, giddiness, and the sharing of wild humor by artists who were in the room with me.  It is this interplay that I am trying to offer the viewer as I continue expanding this painting. ~ Marge

Detail from a Work in Progress


Julia's dreamy door could not be wetter looking, as though at any moment it might dissolve into a green slick flowing down toward the alley... while on the contrary, the metal lock and hinge appear substantial and time-worn.  Sadly, the photo cannot and does not fully reflect the glowing vibrancy of this work.  I enjoyed watching this lavish object come into being.  "Door in a Dream" attempts to capture fading impressions of an image seen in a dream.  Colors and shapes are still somewhat clear but the details are beginning to fade and lose coherence.  I used Yupo because I feel that it shows vivid color very well and it evokes the fluid sensation one often "remembers" as an image begins to go out of focus. ~ Julia

Door in a Dream


Glen's year was replete with many amusing caricature portraits of fulsome women, as epitomized by this selection — delightfully cheesecakey, and the wry title still makes me chuckle.  Love the details in the chest (of drawers) and the sense of movement rendered in the glamour-puss's hair.    Seeking to draw figures, I was captivated by the image of this girl in a drawer.  I liked the shape of the bureau, and the girl looked like she was ready for fun.  Since the source photo was black-and-white, I tarted her up with some much needed color.  ~ Glen

It's in the Middle Drawer


Steve did a fantastic job interpreting the various and sundry glass elements and their reflections in this intriguing still life.  Serving up just a few rhythmic splashes of jewel-toned color, this work is a tour de force of shape and value in an essentially monochrome painting.    There is no better concoction for unwinding than Yupo and watercolor.  It takes you out of your head for a while, but without the hangover of a martini. ~ Steve

Cheers


Selecting works for this post was difficult, none more so than sophie-choosing from my own efforts.  I finally settled on portrait #9 (of 12) from my Faces of Evil series.  Hopefully it shows some skills I earned by painting the first eight — I feel it captures the smirky and petulant nature of this smug fat bastard.    I wanted to paint a series on people who make the world a worse place, depicting them in ways that would externalize their internal ugliness.  In theory, by not being invested in "good" outcomes, I would be freed up to learn more from the experience.  I regret that several portraits in this series ultimately rendered their subjects more attractively than is the reality.  Better luck next time! ~ David

Faces of Evil:  Erick Erickson

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Salon Showcase 2011-W51

Some lucky Salon members are visiting family in warmer climates, but most are trapped in Chicago and bearing up under whatever the winter winds are blowing thataways.  For them especially, we submit the cheerfully warm scene in this classic vignette painted by Eileen.  We all wish you a very Merry Christmas tomorrow...  tonight, may you sleep in heavenly peace!


View of Jemez Springs NM, 2006

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Salon Showcase 2011-W50

Hello blog followers.  We celebrate a big milestone for the blog, which achieved its 2,000th viewing this week.  Now, we know that number might pale by comparison with other blogs — but it sure does mean the world to us...  thank you for your support!  Since Salon is on hiatus until the new year, please enjoy this classic work by Marge.


Backyard Hawk I, 2009

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Salon Showcase 2011-W49

Welcome to Salon: Christmas Village Edition!  Today we convened at Glen and Eileen's place, and to the right is just a wee sampler of the festive holiday trappings to see throughout their home.  What a wonderful chance to share in their family traditions.  Between the touring, admiring the seasonal decor, and nibbling on seasonal treats, we didn't get the art started until Salon was half over.  But yet we managed to whip up some holiday themed pieces for the blog today.  As it was our final Salon before 2012, the last blogs of 2011 will feature some great classic works... be sure to check back.  In the meantime, good luck with the holiday shopping and preparations.  Here's hoping you find a few moments of peace and many more moments of joy!


by Eileen:


Christmas Ornament in Hand


by Julia:

Silver Bell


by Glen:

Having a Hassle Free Christmas


by David:

O Little Town of Eileenandglen

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Salon Showcase 2011-W48

Our Salon was infused with nascent holiday spirit today, and although both Julia and Marge were absent, we were joined by guest artist Diane Stevens — visiting from Maine.  Avid blog readers may remember Eileen's painting of Diane's chickens from about a year back.  If not, you can check it out by following the Salon Retrospective link in the sidebar.   Next week's blog will post a little tardy because Glen and Eileen are hosting Salon.  We can't wait to check out their medicine cabinet festive decor... and see what paintings it might inspire.

by Diane:

Blue Clouds


by Eileen:

Holding Egg


by Glen:

The Red Coat


by Steve:

Channeling Chuck Close


by David:

Impression of a Holiday Amaryllis