What is most exciting about the world of nature's pigments is you never know when you are going to discover something new. Veronica Bishop, my tech consultant, recently forwarded an article about such a color heretofore unknown to me. Thanks to her, I now have another pigment for possible inclusion onto my own historical palette, Han … [Read more...] about Han Purple, Another Color from the Past
Midnight in Moscow, Noontime in L. O. Part II
You are reading Part II in the Midnight in Moscow post. Click here to read Part I. Lamentably, after a jam-packed splendid week, our stay in St. Petersburg ended, and the 446-mile journey to Moscow began. A Countryside Like No Other As the frozen highway took us south into the countryside, our guide explained the novel custom of house … [Read more...] about Midnight in Moscow, Noontime in L. O. Part II
Midnight in Moscow, Noontime in L.O. Part 1
Picture this. Empress Catherine’s yellow satin morning dress rustles as she walks across the parquet floor into the sunroom where our brunch is waiting. The servants dash about, placing the food and amaryllis bouquets just so. A butler pulls out a chair as the Tsarina, Empress of Russia, sits gracefully, and she beckons me to be seated … [Read more...] about Midnight in Moscow, Noontime in L.O. Part 1
The Passing of a Portland Gentleman
Earlier this fall, the Portland art scene lost a beloved member of its community. Herschel McGraw, owner of Gallery 903, passed away suddenly. I have known Herschel since the early 2000s when he was affiliated with another Portland gallery that represented my work. He later went on to start Gallery 903, and I was honored to follow along with him in … [Read more...] about The Passing of a Portland Gentleman
Using Violet and Purple Pigments in Oils: Challenges and Solutions
Painting objects using violet and purple shades is always a challenge because it is easy to land on the garish side of this hue. We have all seen a house painted this color and we say "Whoa! That's intense!" Another example is painted flowers and fabrics that make your eyes water. So how to avoid this error in the use of purple/violet … [Read more...] about Using Violet and Purple Pigments in Oils: Challenges and Solutions
Trompe l’oeil Painting and Loma Linda
Photos sent by my daughter from Loma Linda, CA became the subject of the latest 6x8 inch Iso-LACE-tion modello this week. Holly and her husband are there for a couple of months, and they were delighted to find fruit trees in the yard where they are staying. I coaxed her to send pictures. It took several tries to get the composition and lighting … [Read more...] about Trompe l’oeil Painting and Loma Linda