tryouts

(5x7)

(5x7)
Two quick (about 10-15 minutes each) tries at this month's Virtual Sketch Date image. I used Winsor blue (gs), because it's so cool, but I don't usually have it on my palette; it's very strong and staining too.
I like this subject--the strong shadow, the receding shapes, the reflection in the water. I'll probably do a couple more trying out different blues.



I haven't seen any of the films nominated for Academy Awards this year. Movies I want to see like Doubt, The Reader, Milk and Slumdog Millionaire don't make it down here; we're more likely to get Shrek 8 and Batman 12. So last night when The Visitor, with best actor nominee Richard Jenkins, came on Starz at midnight, I had to stay up to watch it. Jenkins must be one of those working actors who's in everything but who you never notice because he's so good; he was superb in this quiet movie about the expansiveness of the human heart.

an oldie

(22x30)
This is a painting I did in the still life group I belonged to; we broke up two years ago this week when our teacher and mentor, Carolyn Howard, died.
All of the objects pictured here, except the electrical-thingy on the far left, were Carolyn's. I love the fluted vase, second from right, and the curly-topped one.