Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

I came across a slice of summer while spring cleaning this evening. I found this buried in the back of a closet (I'm about to demolish in preparation for the next phase of renovations). This was painted so many years ago, I don't remember when.

Killbear Pastel

Killbear Pastel, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Sketched on the beach at Killbear Provincial Park this past summer.  This is my first attempt using pastels since I was a kid.  It's definitely a lot more portable than oil paints.

Three Pear Still Life

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.

Rainy Day People

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

Havana Rain

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"

OK OK Diner

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"

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"