The Greats

"Iced In" 30x40 by Charles Movalli

I don't have a painting to post tonight but I've been thinking of sharing the work of some of my favorite painters instead. The list is long but I have to start somewhere and today I was browsing the work of Charles Movalli and  marveling at his mastery of his medium-he works in oils and acrylics-and his total understanding of composition and understated, but powerful color harmony. I love the way he includes a fearless foreground in many of his paintings. I mean that the foreground leads the eye into and around the work. It may be just shapes and colors that indicate a dock or harbor but each brushstroke is perfectly placed. There are many links on the web but mostly to Galleries who represent him so I'll include the link to Bayview Gallery in Camden, Maine where you'll also enjoy the roster of other high caliber artists. Enjoy.

Cordage Park in Fall 5x7

Yesterday was another glorious fall day despite the hurricane winds we took over the weekend. The trees are still colorful and not all have turned. It's very late for that phenomenon to be happening in this region. Yesterday, I painted this little study at Gray's Beach in Kingston. Sitting in the car, of course, with my little 6x8 pochade box. When I got home I opened up Emile Gruppe's books to check out his pointers on landscapes. Gruppe , a Cape Ann artist was a student of John Carlson who wrote Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, (arguably) the definitive book on the subject. Both of these guys were masters in their own right. Check them out. I'm after more polish in my paintings, loose control as it were. Doing these little studies is a good way to improve. Not to mention the enjoyment factor.