_{June 18, 2011}

Work in Progress (updated)

I leave it to you to decide to whom or what the title points.

In the mean time, here is a sneak peak at a mixed media oil painting, shown in progress.

Lighting phase –  recent in progress scan

oil paint over-drawn with oil pastel, before lighting phase

 
 
“Garden Variety Siamese” is oil and oil pastel on canvas board, weighing in at a smallish 12 × 12 inches. There is more to do: a correction and another very thin shadow layer (or 2).

For this work, the majority of it was painted in oil. It started life as the Siamese against an abstract, and progressed to where the abstract became host to a garden and canopy of trees.

At that point, I found it overdone, but too late. All I could feel was remorse. But then, one midnight, when I was sure the paint was dry enough, I decided to enhance the foliage with oil pastels. Nice! Adding blips of color without having to mix paint and clean brushes?– this was to my immense liking! Once started, the painted cats and vase and lighted path, also got the “benefit” of my over-drawing.

Since then, it’s gotten some corrections and a wash with oil paint. The artwork is currently at the stage of the larger image, shown above, left.

UPDATE – Completed. June 25, 2011.

Garden Variety Siamese
by F.A. Moore

Now to approach another topic: I don’t know why I’m painting cats. No, you haven’t asked me why. But to me it’s the wild animal in the room (no offense to Elephants). So, I’m wondering the same thing.

I don’t have a series in mind or a collection. Heck I’m just reacquainting myself with the brush and slowly becoming comfortable with the fact that a piece will pull me along.

But, like my personal, broad taste in art, there seems to be a wide range in style.

You wouldn’t know that these latest 4 are by the same artist, if you weren’t following my work. (Would you?) Am I too close to see the common thread running through these?

Perhaps it is the enigma of the cat that has me overlooking some potentially obvious connection in style.

I have to add that I appreciate you so much giving me valued feedback and encouraging me (or not) along my painting pursuits. Museums and Fine Art Galleries present an open door to learning, and go far beyond their service goals of presenting fine art for appreciation. So, too, do catalogs and art books teach, as well as entertain the senses. I’ve learned from many of you, through the enjoyment of your work. My firm belief is that in seeing, we learn, in practicing, we make profound strides.

— Frannie
F. A. Moore