Faber Birren Color Exhibit 2009

The second accepted submission for this competition is called "Riding With Dad", and is a mixed media collage 24x30", that was done after seeing the film There Will Be Blood. Although I disliked the movie for its violence, there were scenes of the father and son riding in their open Model "T" together in their matching long shami coats that strongly impressed me, so much so, that I borrowed the book from the Library the movie is based on to delve deeper, "Oil" by Upton Sinclair.

The writing was so picturesque, it described the road laying out like a ribbon across the land and the collage also incorporates ribbons symbolizing roads, years that were significant landmarks of the era and a few of the phrases that struck me are included. I'm sorry this jpeg does not show that detail...so come to the exhibit if you are in the Stamford, Connecticut area - google Stamford Art Association for dates and times.

Faber Birren Color Exhibit 2009

Whooo, riding on a high. Two of my collages have been accepted by the juror, an assistant curator from MOMO, Paulina Pobocha, into the Faber Birren Exhibit for 2009. The acceptance letter from the Stamford Art Association said the work was selected from hundreds of slides and CDs.

The First mixed media collage accepted is called "Break of Dawn", 24x24".

Yep, birds are an integral part of dawn in these parts. Their chirping is heard just before light breaks. This piece is highly textured, subtly colored, and has interesting texture, like the bark of a tree.

The letter says the Juror will select awards from the original works!

Maggie

This 6x6" is on a stretched canvas, using a new brand of paint and a very limited pallet, and I'm satisfied that it is successful and the paints are great.

Licopene in a Cup

Licopene is found in tomato and is such a good antioxidant for humanoids (can you tell I just saw Star Trek). Anyhow, I thought these little grape tomatoes looked great with this cup from Pottery Barn. The colors are especially handsome for me. A lot of fun to paint, hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.

Red Grapes

This painting was actually completed before the previous one, Green Grapes. One of the features I love about painting on hardboard is the brush strokes are so visible and energetic. Yippee...maybe I'll get the hang of painting on a solid surface yet. Hope you like this, it was fun for me.

Green Grapes

A stretched canvas has a subtle spring as you lay in your brush strokes and the hardboard of course does not. I'm sticking with it as I want to try plein air painting and boards are way more practical for painting on location. Also, I purchased a lot of the boards on a great sale. Paintings on wood or solid surfaces last longer too and it is nice to offer your clients this assurance.

Friendly Greens

Something new for me is working on gessoboard. It is archival hardboard that comes with gesso on masonite. There is no absorbency as there is with canvas, and it takes a lot longer to dry...and since I scan rather than photo my work takes more time to publish on my blog. Anyway, here is one of my first attempts. Hope you like it.

Teen Beauty

This 6x6" oil on canvas portrait was completed from a quickly taken candid photo shot. Sometimes these make for a good character study.

Gallery Owner II

This is the owner of Building Blocks Art Gallery in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It is an interesting gallery, offering art classes for children and adults right in the gallery. i.e., the background is inspiring and the lighting superb. Of course, the exhibits are of wonderful local artists' work. Building Blocks will be accepting commissions for my small portraits.

FACES OF SPRING 2009

"Blue Boy" below took third place in the Connecticut Society of Portrait Painters FOS2009 competition. I am so honored to have been judged by Robert A. Anderson (who painted President Bush's portrait now in the Smithsonian), and John Howard Sanden (one of our nations leading portrait artists), and found worthy! You may see a moving pan of the entire exhibit at http://www.csopa.org/, click on the link below the daffodils and once there be sure to scroll to the bottom to see the exhibit in its entirety.

A Good Boy

Sometimes when goodness is a major characteristic, it shines through as in this portrait.

Great Red Hair

This 7x5" portrait was worked from a Glamour Shot, but it truly reflected the subject's personality. Her coloration, complexion and hair, was very enjoyable to paint.

Large Plumbs

These big beautiful black plumbs were an interesting study. If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me at mlynch8@optonline.net

Daisy in a Pop Bottle

Another single flower in the antique pop bottle.

Single Gerber

Another flower taken from a mixed bouquet.

Big One

The biggest of a mixed bouquet!

Purple Earrings

A 6x6" oil on gallery wrapped stretched canvas portrait of a lady that clearly demonstrates the attractiveness of age. It was a pure pleasure to paint this person's interesting facial character.

Last Snow

Looks like the laugh is on me...as I upload this post, it began to snow here in the Northeast again! March is coming in like a lion for sure. Well, I love to paint snow scenes and do not paint enough of them. So, the plan is to take a lot of reference photos tomorrow for future works. This 6x6" was done from an old photo taken of a brook in the woods while hiking after a snow fall. The colors that day were very muted and subdued, nearly all greys.

Enjoy this simple little group of flowers, painted on 6x6" stretched canvas in oil.

Antique Bottle with Flowers

This bottle is one of my favorite things to use as a vase and paint. It is an old pop bottle and is made of very thick green glass with lots of little bubbles in the glass. This was painted on a 12x6" stretch canvas in oil. I usually don't paint the whole bottle in my smaller format paintings where you see only the top of it, but wanted to include it all this time. Enjoy!

Spring in a Soda Bottle

This was painted several days ago when we had overcast days here in the Northeast. Since I scan my work (I'm so bad at photography), there is a wait for it to dry before it can be scanned. Today is bright and sunny and feels more appropriate for a painting called "Spring in a Soda Bottle" to be published. The soda bottle is an antique and of very thick green glass. It is a humble little 6x6" still life that I hope you enjoy and can be yours for $100.

The Pink Shirt

This little guy's character is well pronounced at an early age and one can almost tell what he will look like as an adult. Enjoy this 6x6" portrait and if you would like to commission a similar portrait I will create from your favorite photo, please contact me at mlynch8@optonline.net.

The Pink Bow

This little cherub was a pleasure to paint with her cute hair ribbon, but perhaps I should have titled the 6x6" portrait "Blue-Grey Eyes", as her eyes were a startling color. If you would like to commission a similar portrait please send me an email at mlynch8@optonline.net.

DAYDREAMING

This portrait was painted from a photo where the subject caught was daydreaming. It was a challenging expression to capture and not sure it was successful. However, it is successful as a likeness of the young lady. Another 6x6" on black gesso archival stretched canvas.

Big Girl Hat

Another small portrait, 6x6"...completed from a photo.

Blue Boy

Trying something new...small portraits. Commissioned portraits have always been a mainstay. Large and containing a lot of background detail, they are usually less spontaneous. I've only done a couple, but these smaller portraits seem to be looser and freer, which I prefer and strive to achieve currently.

Christmas Past

Some holly berries and leaves that fell off an arrangement during cleanup after Christmas. This is a 6x3" oil on stretched canvas. Contact me at mlynch8@optonline.net if you have any questions or are interested in purchase.

Luna - "Fly me to the Moon"

My friend Kristen was fortunate to have this wonderful dog for 16 years before she passed on. We'll always remember Luna.

Biscotti And...

Biscotti are a treat. In Italy they have them with wine...but Chocolate Chip biscotti are an American twist and have to be eaten with a cup of coffee or even a glass of milk. Enjoy this 5x7" oil on canvas as much as I enjoyed painting it and eating the subject!