No. 5: Lightning in the Thunderhead

A few weeks ago I was out traveling in the car one late evening. A thunderstorm was evident in the distance and lightning was erupting in the gathering thunderhead of clouds. What reflections and brilliance and calamity I recall! I did not have my camera to capture the effect and may not have been able to because of the momentary flickers of lightning.

As I was finishing out some daily painting today, thunderheads were again gathering and I recalled the prior moment and remembrance. Here is an attempt to capture my thoughts and feelings of that moment using the remnants of today's last paint mounds on the palette. The smell of rain is approaching.

Original Painting: Lightning in the Thunderhead - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

No. 4: Bittersweet

We have two cats, recently rescued from an elderly assisted living and retirement center during a policy change mandating that no animals may be kept in residence. They are named Buddy and Sissy, and they are both quite vocal. They talk to us and they sit at the window or screen door and chatter at the birds outside.

Daily Painting number four is influenced by a black and white engraving by L.J. Bridgeman from 1898.

Engraving: Merry Christmas Mrs. Pussycat - L.J. Bridgman 1898

I have rendered the above engraved image in oil color on a 6" x 6" prepared board with effort towards a chiaroscuro effect of light-dark. I imposed birds and blooms that are figured for a springtime rather than wintertime season. The clapboard siding is reminiscent of an old New England farmhouse. The coloring of the birds is rendered from a separate 100-year-old lithograph diecut remnant. The bright and cheery colors contrast with the building's drab facade.

Original Painting: Bittersweet - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Why "Bittersweet"? Well, I am the cat. Figuratively trapped inside the New England farmhouse. Would rather be outside chasing the birds and doing what I do best. Currently though, unemployed from my own natural and chosen endeavors. I can see and hear through the screened window. The cacophony of the world of birds is just beyond my reach but well within view. My current environment is more drab and there is a hint of more color and activity in the outside world. That's bitter and sweet for me.

The birds pitter and patter about the bushes and blooms and they squawk at me with great energy with all sorts of taunts and complaints. They are in the wide, open world and seemingly enjoying every moment of my imposed "incarceration" that keeps me from their company. There is something about the birds remaining in close proximity to me, the cat, that is just a hint of their seemingly ignorant dysfunctional behavior. Why don't they just fly away? That's sweet and bitter for them.

And the color of the bittersweet vine is used for the birds....orange and yellow and brown. Against the drab and chiaroscuro background.

I gotta go. One of the cats is calling my name.

No. 3: Angel Aiming on High

Today's daily painting is also inspired by a victorian lithograph which is probably about 100 years old. Artist and/or lithographer unknown. 

Lithograph - James E. Martin 2012

The item has been scanned and photo-shopped to remove major defects such as borders, pitting, discolorations, rips, creases, and smudges. The "Easter Greetings" writing has been removed from the egg. I love the overall image and the color palette.  Perhaps someday I shall be able to originate such grandeur with elegance.

From the source image influencing my approach, I have made some adjustments to fit my drawing onto a 6" x 6" prepared board. I also tried to attain more emphasis for the expressive intent on the angel's face and the angle of the arrow's aim to the upper right corner. I removed the angel's garb and surrounding environment. The right arm of painting is over-emphasized and alludes to the extra effort required.

Original Painting: No. 3 Angel Aiming On High - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

My humble resultant painting does speak to me and of me at this point in time. As a self-taught artist trying to improve my skills, I need the angel's guiding hand and winged assistance to enable me in wielding the paintbrush to attain the visions of grandeur and elegance that originally resides only in my mind's eye and heart. The angel's arrow is poised upward similar to my paintbrush to attain new heights with each effort with intent to hit the targeted bulls-eye. The palette is not as bright as I would like but I was aiming for more chiaroscuro effect. As with many human endeavors, we err and only reach perfection within a radius of probability. We must practice. We each come to the artistic endeavor without external garb, refined robes, or bejeweled accessories. Our eyes are a bit jaded and masked as we don't always see as clearly as we ought. We have only what we know and what we can do today at this moment.

I feel shackled with encumbrances. Mostly about time and availability. But I am moving, and walking, and doing something in a forward direction.

No. 2: Just Fishing

Been quite busy. Not always about doing art necessarily. That's unfortunate. Sneaking lots of peeks at things about art that are inspiring though. In stolen moments. One inspiration is a small victorian lithograph. 100 years old. Just a snippet of a thing.

Lithograph: The Red Boat - James E. Martin 2012

I love the red boat. And the colors overall and the general image. It speaks to me because I am in a smaller boat at this time in my journey. Much of what I am doing has aloneness about it but is not necessarily lonely. I cast and wait. Cast and wait. Watching the view. The water is placid. The scene and pace is generally peaceful. I am thinking Renoir and Monet. But the landscape around me appears more turbulent and chaotic. I am thinking Van Gogh. There is a place for me to land the boat...in time. And a path to take once I get there. But for right now I am enjoying some solitude and avocation. Reflecting. Just Fishing.

Original Painting: No.2 - Just Fishing - Copyright James E. Martin 2012