Water and Salt

Using watercolor is a lot of practice, some chemisty and a little bit of magic. We strive to maintain a translucent look and utilize the white paper showing through as the lightest value. In this piece I achieved some special effects by sprinkling salt into the wet pigment.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

"At the Dock of the Bay" 8x10 Acrylic POR

....and here's a litle bit of summer ......enjoy the scene with the music of the late great Otis Redding.

Collage Revisited

This is a collage that I did this past week. I was going for a colorful, all-over design. The piece is 11x14” (POR) It’s done in acrylics and the collaged elements are mostly joss paper.

Joss paper is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper, although rice paper is also commonly used. Joss paper burning is usually the last performed act in Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies.

Its been a while since I’ve done much collage work –probably since I started painting every day. I am a Signature Member of the National Collage Society an was a frequest participant in international collage shows.

International Collage Exchange Look for my work in 2000-2004
www.collagemuseum.com/Bakers/bakers2/index.html

The Matador and the Bull

I saw the movie "Modigliani" this weekend and was entranced by the performances and the quality of the film. Andy Garcia gives us a superb performance in the starring role as Modigliani.
(Trailer http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367188/trailers)

The relationship between Amedeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso was steeped in insecurity, jealousy and admiration. As giants of an equal caliber each respected the others talent and both bowed before Renoir.[ My favorite line was when Renoir was asked how much his estate cost…he smiled and said “just two paintings.”]

I think it is impossible to create in a vacuum. The rivalry between these two men sharpened their creative talents and spurred them on to excel. I recommend the film with two thumbs up.

While the paintings in the film were created for the film ( I so wanted them to be real) there is a painting by Modigliani of Picasso.

Amedeo Modigliani. Portrait of Pablo Picasso. 1915. Oil on cardboard. 34.5 x 26.5 cm. Private collection.

July 4th Holiday

What better place to spend the holiday than the beach? Enjoy this collection of some of my favorite seashore ACEOs.

Heather Protz: Peninsula Art Academy Reception: 6-28-08

Heather Protz: Peninsula Art Academy Reception: 6-28-08

Check out the photos on Heather's Blog of the opening at PAA

Monument National Park Utah

Sipapu Bridge

My painting of Sipapu Bridge was done from photo references. While I have not visited the park, I hope to see this in person one day.
Sipapu Bridge is the second largest natural bridge in the world. Its rounded opening and smooth sides are mute evidence of countless floods bearing scouring rocks and sand. I was intrigued by the beautiful colors in the rock, especially the way the warm tones contrast with the blue skies. This painting measures 6x8” and is currently on display at the MD Garage in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
This bridge, whose opening would almost house the dome of the United States Capitol, has taken thousands of years to form but will someday collapse and erode as part of the endless cycles of time and change.Sipapu means "the place of emergence," In Hopi mythology, a “sipapu” is a gateway through which souls may pass to the spirit world.

Take a virtual tour:

http://www.virtualparks.org/scenes/ZJtJIp64FWR7RGjqDebRYDg.html