Upper Lucia Falls August 2008

 

“Upper Lucia Falls” was a new experience for me in that I completed this painting in about two hours using color sticks without handles (pastels).  I must admit that I really enjoyed approximating my color choices from what was contained in my pastel box. At times, a limited pallet does wonders for our art. 

Although there is nothing quit like using oils, the expediency of pastels has a lot to say for the medium. This turned into a real enjoyable afternoon of experimentation for me. I will take the box of sticks with me again soon, although I will tweak the list of other accessories I bring with me, in particular - a cushion, as two hours sitting on a rock is not my idea of sitting in a beach chair.

I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I did painting it.

Glen Gesh Pass

Glen Gesh Pass is a rework on an earlier version. Attempting to capture the multitude of greens actually envisioned is an impossible task (for me) although I think there are artists who have the talent to do just that. I think of Richard Schmid, Aspevig and Handell and others. Ireland has an atmosphere and skyline all her own. We retain memories of physically being there but to mix colors in a tube is altogether another matter. Glen Gesh Pass is an attempt but not even close to what the eyes beheld.

SUNBURST

Although I am not a pastel artist as a rule, I do like to try my hand at the sticks occasionally. This picture was derived from a visit to an artist friend of mine in Ridgefield, Washington. When leaving his residence and standing on his front porch, I turned looking west towards the Ridgefield Refuge. I was momentarily taken with the cloud formations with the bright sun streaks playing hide and seek behind them. I immediately ran to my car, got out my trusty Nikon and snapped a reference shot to work from at my studio. Although not a highly detailed or finished pastel, the essence of what had captured me is fairly accurate.

Rooster Rock - Oregon

 

“Rooster Rock” was the second plein air version painted from this location.The enjoyment was in the tranquility of the area. In the two hour period it took to execute this 12” x 16” panel, only two fisherman disturbed the silence as they put their boat into the water at the nearby boat ramp.
As is usually my custom, the highlights in the painting were applied back in the studio when the painting was tacky dry (I am not a plein air purist). All in all, it was a very enjoyable day as the weather and early midday sun cooperated with the effort of the artist.

Way to Ardara - Ireland

“Way to Ardara” is another painting based on my “03” trip to Ireland. It was one of those days where the “greens” were of multiple hues and values, overcast but still bright. I stopped my rental car along the edge of the narrow road and took a number of bracketed reference shots to bring back home with me. The good thing about high resolution digitals over paper photo reference shots is that they look almost as good on the backlit computer screen as in reality, but not quite as exciting. This is a small 8” x 10” painting on canvas board. Giclee prints are still available by going to www.FineArtAmerica.com  or clicking on this link.
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/way-to-ardara-ireland-jim-gola.html

Daily Bread

“Daily Bread” number one of a three part series utilizing basically the same articles in the set-up.

The main objective in this exercise was the challenge of painting the textures and shapes of everyday objects. Scroll down to see the other two versions of “Daily Bread”. Prints are available of all three of these paintings prepared using Giclee archive inks on paper or canvas. Go to my print website, http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jim-gola.html
Scroll to the appropriate thumbnail to enlarge. Matting and framing is also available from Fine Art America. Thanks for looking.

 

Daily Bread Version Two

“Daily Bread” number one of a three part series utilizing basically the same articles in the set-up.

The main objective in this exercise was the challenge of painting the textures and shapes of everyday objects. Scroll down to see the otherversion of “Daily Bread”. Prints are available of all three of these paintings prepared using Giclee archive inks on paper or canvas. Go to my print website, http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jim-gola.html Scroll to the appropriate thumbnail to enlarge. Matting and framing is also available from Fine Art America.
Thanks for looking.

Daily Bread Ver 3

 

“Daily Bread” one of a three part series utilizing basically the same articles in the set-up.

The main objective in this exercise was the challenge of painting the textures and shapes of everyday objects.
Prints are available of all three of these paintings prepared using Giclee archive inks on paper or canvas.
Go to my print website, http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jim-gola.html Scroll to the appropriate thumbnail to enlarge. Matting and framing is also available from Fine Art America.
Thanks for looking.

HILLS OF JACKSON

“Hills of Jackson” was a scene I returned to several times. The starkness of the adjacent hills near the wooded lake area really was a contrast. This day was cloudy and overcast and the light breaking through to the nearby rocky hill captured my interest. Although the lake was teeming with swans and ducks this day, I felt like avoiding any detail that would detract from the light effect of the moment.

FRESH AIR

 

 Fresh Air” is one of a series of still life paintings I have been working on during the last several months along with a few new unposted landscapes.  The old pipe in the painting was given to me by my wife. She saw it in an antique store and thought I could add it to my still props. I actually did hang the pipe over the “Fresh Air” paper you see in the picture. It hung there unnoticed for about two years. One day recently, I spun around in my chair and finally noticing the pipe for the first time as a  piece of art, I was off and running doing some still life painting again. I have painted another four still life paintings since Fresh Air. I will post some of them shortly.

This and other still life paintings can be seen on Fine Art America at: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jim-gola.html?tab=artwork