Friday, December 29, 2006

Silk Ball

“Silk Ball”
5”x7”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 29, 2006

Have you ever wonder, who was the first person to make a satin ball? I bet it was someone who didn’t have enough money to buy Christmas decorations. Or were they even sold back then? I remember our tree, as children, our mom seemed to make most if not all of the decorations. My favorite was the small yarn red octopus. I am not sure where all those decorations are today, but they sure were special. I also remember my grandmothers tree, it had these about 3” diameter lights, they were glass and covered with tiny chunks of colored glass, each bulb a different color. I think they quit making then because some people couldn’t seem to remember that they get hot and need to be turned off from time to time so that they won’t burn down the entire house. They were wonderful. Childhood Christmas memories: write and share some of yours with me.


Technical notes: The Titanium white was too much for this painting. Flake White Replacement by Gamblin is supposed to be more opalescent. I had a tube. I buy these supplies and then wait for the day that I finally try them. It was superb, very creamy and not pasty. I used it for the ball. I then used the zinc white for the surface. My colors, cobalt blue, Quinacridone Red, Azo Yellow, and Copper with Galkyd Lite for my medium.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Gus #3

“Gus #3”
8”x6”
Collection of Jennifer Stensland
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 28, 2006

Finally, a Gus that sings of his personality. This one I will let out of my possession and now it belongs to Jennifer. Gus #1 stunk, I worked on it and worked on it and then threw it in the fireplace. See December 5th painting. The proportions were all off. Drove me crazy. I decided it was better to just start over. I like this one. I like Gus #2 also, but this one is more like Gus. He’s a standoffish fellow, not very trusting, until he knows you for a long time, and then although he’s in charge, he’ll allow you to be friendly with him.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Sally AKA The Princess

“Sally AKA The Princess”
20” x 15”
Collection of Mary Anderson
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

Meet Sally. This is my little sister’s dog. Sally is a companion extraordinaire. She is always there to please and loves my sister, as my sister loves her, unconditionally. I was painting this for Christmas, but didn’t get it done in time. Sometime I think art is like fine wine, “I will sell no wine before its time.” Anyway, Mary gets this daily email, so I am thinking this is a great way to present the gift. The odd size belongs to a lovely frame that I found in a thrift store. I made a panel to fit it and waited for the perfect subject to fit its narrowed size.

Day 4 - Finished - "Hell Roaring Falls #3"

Day 4 –Finished – “Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

I went back and forth on what to paint today. I wanted to finish my sister’s Christmas present, but also wanted to get this done. The space that I paint in a quite small and cluttered, so moving this painting out became imperative. I started my morning out painting on this painting. By mid afternoon I was signing it and moving it into the kitchen so that I could finish Sally. I am so happy to live so near to this beautiful falls and to think I used to drive into Yellowstone to see something as beautiful as this.