Tuesday, August 3, 2010

AWOL--let's try again

Another long absence. Life is complicated! But I will try to stay with it this time. If you're interested in my new work, I post it on my Facebook page. But I haven't learned what to do with it after that. I'll see if I can get my grandson to give me a tutorial. In the meantime, I have been painting a lot and will post various things more often than in the recent past. Here goes...


Field of Lupine
Oil on Canvas 16 X 20

This goes back to June when the lupine seems to cover the land here in Maine. Sometimes it comes in multiple colors, but this patch was a rich purple/blue/red. It's not here for long to I had to hustle to get image. Right now, there is no sign that it was ever there, such is the transient nature of life.



Country Churchyard: II
Oil on Canvas 20 X 20

I've done this before from a somewhat different angle. This was in the spring so not all the leaves were out and I could make more of this very dominant tree. I'll bet it (the tree) has been here longer than any grave. I thought the crooked headstones added to some of the irony here. The church is often photographed from the front. These mysteries are hidden except to those who look behind.



Red Maples in Sprague Woods
Oil on Canvas 16 x 20
I've done a number of paintings in the large tract of land which is now a nature preserve owned by the very wealthy Sprague family. It's in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. This is again in the spring before the leaves are completely out so the skeleton on trees is much more visible. I liked the way the sun was shining through the leaves creating a challenging variety of red/browns.

9 comments:

FCP said...

Welcome back! You were certainly missed. I hope the computer induced nerve problems are behind you and you are enjoying painting again. Sometimes breaks are just what we need though, even when we don't realize it. I always think about how necessary pauses are to music and that helps me to put breaks into perspective.
My favorite of the paintings is the fall trees-you certainly captured the intensity of the sunlight streaming through the leaves--it is one of those paintings I wish I could step into.
Faye

Marian Fortunati said...

Well hi Jack!!!
Good to have you back. So you are on Facebook too???

Hope to see what you're up to on a more regular basis. I still remember my favorite painting of yours....The one out the window at night!!

Jack Riddle said...

Both, thanks for visiting after such a long absence. I'll try to keep at it on a regular basis. As to Facebook, I have a site on the Fineartamerica website which is a kind of coop for artists. On that site you can also post the same info on Facebook. I have a Facebook page because someone told me I should. But I'll be honest, I don't know what to do with it!

Barbara Pask said...

So happy to see you back Jack, I keep checking in just in case. Also it's great to see that you have been busy painting. All three of these are wonderful, I especially like the church and cemetery, it's so mysterious.

Jack Riddle said...

Barb--thanks so much. Now that I'm back in circulation, I'll be visiting others' blogs, too. I note your mention of the Cinc. Art Museum which I used to visit regularly a couple of decades ago when I had regular business there. A colleague introduced me to the work of Duvanek (sp?) which I still enjoy. You're in good company!

rob ijbema said...

yes stick with it jack,these are full of hope!

Carol Blackburn said...

Hello Jack, I saw your name on Barbara Pask's blog and thought I'd stop by for a peek. Wonderful painting...........and a Mainer, too. I live in Norway. Nice to make your acquaintance. :)

Jack Riddle said...

Rob--good to hear from you after so long. I love the comment about "hope"--it means a lot

Jack Riddle said...

Thanks for visiting, Carol--good to know another Mainer.