I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it. Stephen Wright

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Three Pear Still Life

Three Pear Still Life by Michael Mitchener
Three Pear Still Life, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

I had a few objectives in mind with this month's painting:
  • Paint a still life
  • Use a painting knife - no brushes
  • Use lots of paint
With "still life" on my shopping list, I headed out to Highland Farms one weekend and ended up with three pears. I arranged the pears in a bowl in the front hall and viola... a still life. With a photograph for reference, I returned the pears to the fridge and prepared a Masonite board for painting. After that it was a matter of drawing the image on the board and sitting down one Victoria Day weekend day to paint. The knife approach is trickier than I expected but as always, I learned something that I can hopefully use in future paintings.

By the way, the pears were delicious. See you next month.


Monday, April 11, 2011

Rainy Day People

Rainy Day People by Michael Mitchener
Rainy Day People, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.
With Sunday's rainy forecast, I thought it would be a great day to work on April's painting based on a photograph of mine called, Rainy Day People. The photo was taken on a very wet day through the rain-splattered windshield on my way to work. While it won't be a surprise to some, I like streetcars and I tend to photograph them. Painting streetcars seems like the next logical step in my evolving addiction. Sunday turned out to be a better day than predicted and it didn't rain all that much but I enjoyed staying in and painting away the day all the same. See you in May.

"Rainy Day People"
Oil on Masonite
11" x 14"

SOLD

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Havana Rain

Havana Rain by Michael Mitchener
Havana Rain, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Based on a photograph taken by my talented friend Louise on her recent trip to Havana, Cuba. I normally look to one of my photographs as a source when painting but this month I wasn't feeling particularly inspired by anything on hand. I remembered some amazing images that Louise had captured on her trip to Havana and I particularly loved her photograph of an afternoon rain storm on a street in the city. This image became the basis for my monthly contribution in a year of painting. Thanks Louise. Check out Louise's full Havana collection on flickr, you'll want to book a flight to Cuba soon after. See you in April.

"Havana Rain"
Oil on Masonite
9" x 12"

Sunday, February 13, 2011

OK OK Diner

OK OK Diner by Michael Mitchener
OK OK Diner a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Painted from a photograph I took at a local diner in Leslieville. This is the same location where I took my Brunch Butts shot previously blogged on my website. I love the retro red leather stools, the overall vibe, and the warm sunlight at this place. Oh yeah, the food is pretty good too. It's definitely a great place to start your weekend. Check it out.


"OK OK Diner"
Oil on Masonite
9" x 12"

Saturday, January 1, 2011

East Meets West














 

New Year's Resolution: Paint.

How I spent part of the first day of the new year. After years of procrastination, I thought I'd start the year off with a resolution to paint. I always liked art classes as a kid in school but never seemed to get around to trying my hand at oil painting as a grown-up. It felt good and I think I'll try for one painting a month in 2011 and see how that goes. One down, eleven to go.

"East Meets West" Oil on Masonite 9" x 12"