Best of Salon, 2013

In a departure from prior years, for this "Best Of" blog posting each Salon Member-Artist has chosen their own work and provided some commentary about their choice.  Please also check out the Best Of post at the Painterly Thoughts blog.  But first, reappreciate these works here — and Happy New Year!


by Eileen:

It is such a struggle to draw, and I do plan on continuing my quest...  but, I love using color and painting!

Got a Line on You

by Marge:

A few years ago, I photographed this participant at a Native American pow-wow.  In translating the photo into this watercolor, I was interested in the energy, color, music, and beauty of Native American culture.

Pow Wow

by Jacqueline:

During one of those days when I grappled with "what to paint?", Eileen convinced me to tackle this subject because she felt I could do it justice.  The subject matter — food — is near and dear to my heart, and I believe the painting achieved a level of realism that reflects both my love for the subject matter and the joy I felt painting it.
 

Cranberry Custard Pie

Walker

by Molly:

2013 was a big year.  Not only did I get married, but my husband started up his own fly fishing guide business, Big River.  As if all that weren't enough, my best friend had a baby — Walker, my god son and little buddy!  I chose these two paintings because they make me happy and both represent new beginnings!

Big River

by Glen:

I think this looks pretty good, considering I did it by looking in a mirror.  I am regrowing the beard now — so it's deja vu all over again.

Grizzly Gilchrist

by Steve:

I chose this piece because of the color selection and the content.  I enjoy the rich colors I used — which are not typical of my paintings.  The painting serves as a reminder to reach out and not always stay with your familiar routine...  if there is an open door, walk through.  If the door is closed, open it.

Door Ways

by David:

I saw this image as the lead-in to a TV magazine crime story set on a cold wintry New England night; immediately, my mind flashed onto Robert Frost's iconic poem  Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.  After the storm ended and the sky cleared, those woods must have looked just so.  When I look at it, this painting focuses my hopes that I may be blessed with many more miles to go before I sleep.

Lovely, Dark and Deep

Salon Showcase 2013-W50

Despite waking up to a very thick blanket of snow, we had our last Salon of 2013 today and of course with a holiday theme.  In two weeks we'll have a special blog posting for the Best of 2013 and meanwhile please enjoy our works from today.


by Eileen:

Christmas Village

by Jacqueline:

Eileen's Christmas Village

by Glen:

Merry Gilchristmas

by David:

detail from work in progress

Salon Showcase 2013-W49

Perhaps excluding Jacqueline, the rest of us had trouble getting our act together this morning.  No doubt the shockingly frigid temperatures dulled everyone's senses a little.  Despite the late start, we did get a bit done and everyone is definitely looking forward to our themed session next week.  Meanwhile, hope you all are having a good start to your holiday season!


by Eileen:

underdrawing

by Jacqueline:

I'm a Globe!

by David:

color study

Salon Showcase 2013-W45

At Salon, we were like that imaginary book club where one person read the book, one person read half and then skimmed to the end.  And no one else read more than a third.  The boys didn't produce much to speak of.  As usual, it fell to the womenfolk to get things done and we can offer two works for you to enjoy.
(Blogmaster adds: still no idea what I'm gonna put up on Painterly Thoughts, don't check there until after dark.)

Salon'll be off until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so we'll wish you have the best turkey ever to eat as you reflect on all you're thankful for.  Peace!


by Eileen:

quick drawing study

by Jacqueline:

Gingerbread House

Salon Showcase 2013-W45

Hard to believe that in just 3 weeks it will be the day after "Black Friday" and in 7 weeks we'll be trapped in that lost weekend between New Years Day and Christmas.  Tick tick tick... after today there are only 45 shopping days left!

Hundreds of mostly annoying commercials will air during this magical time; we can only wonder which will be the worst and what other(s) might entertain and delight us.  For now, you'll have to be content with these artful delights (and today's new Painterly Thoughts blog posting).  Enjoy!


by Eileen:

Pizza

by Marge:

Angel

by Jacqueline:

Cranberry Custard Pie

by Molly:

Little Red Love Boat, How Are Ya?

by Glen:

Jeff

by David:

sketchbook page

Salon Showcase 2013-W42

Once our blog hit a handful of milestones earlier this year, the blogmaster stopped keeping diligent track of those things...  but however, last week (in honor of our return?) we had first-time visits from three new countries:  Algeria, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan.  Such an odd collection seemed remarkable.  And thus with the remark out of the way, not much to add except (a) Kyrgyzstan seems very interesting, check out the Wikipedia article, and (b) enjoy our works from today!


by Eileen:

Delicious coffee and a work-in-progress, alas no photo.


by Jacqueline:

Haunted by the Halloween Tree

by Molly:

Walker

by Glen:

Bridges over Troubled Waters

by David:

Unfallen

Salon Showcase 2013-W41

Howdy Hi...  long time, no see!  We ourselves got together a few times socially over the summer, but not to make art until today.  Our numbers are slightly reduced...  Steve F. has taken up residence in Mexico for now — we hope from time to time he'll send pix of something he's painted south of the border.

Meanwhile, today marked the 3 year anniversary of our little Salon.  Talk about tempis fugit!  We shook off the cobwebs of our long hiatus and kicked off our "fourth season" with these creations.  Enjoy, and come back next week...  we will!


by Eileen:

Copying Sargent

by Jacqueline:

Welcome Fall

by Molly:

Big River

by Glen:

Poppycock

by David:

The Artist, Pixellated

Salon Showcase 2013-W21

Howdy, here's hoping your Memorial Day weekend is off to a warm, dry, fun start!  Salon got together today for our final regular meeting until autumn, although we discussed the possibility of field trip(s) and a midsummer get-together.  Your blogmaster will advertise any & all summer events as well as Salon's eventual resumption in his Painterly Thoughts blog.  (Why not bookmark it?!)  Meanwhile, we had so much news and events to catch up on that two of us couldn't finish our paintings!  Neverthless, enjoy our works from today — and please barbecue safely!


by Eileen:

excerpt, work in progress

by Jacqueline:

Birthday Card

by Glenn:

Here's to You, Don & Megan

by David:

excerpt, work in progress

Salon Showcase 2013-W18

Our first May Salon found us with lots to catch up on... it seems we all had busy and eventful Aprils.  But eventually we had to stop and catch our breath, which gave us the opportunity to make these works.  Enjoy, be sure to scroll down for a special catchup post, and most important of all:  don't forget Mother's Day is next weekend!


by Eileen:

Santa Monica, The Georgian

by Jacqueline:

Somewhere in Western Sweden

by Glen:

Portrait of the Artist as an Older Man

by Steve:

Man on Beach

by David:

Propuesta 6:  Fantastic Village

Salon Catchup 2013-W15 & W16

Here we share the art created in Salon during the blogmaster's April absence.  Presented without further comment:

by Eileen:

Head Study

Kilshanny, Road to Donnellan Home

by Marge:

Pow Wow

by Jacqueline:

My Favorite Things

Sewing Machine Retrospective

by Glen:

Mad Men Bar

Play it Again, Sweetie

by Steve:

Turkey

Puerta Vallarta