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