day 5: a day (or more) of rest
The Promenade in My Poetry, by David Akimori 7/31/2009
It was here along the Brooklyn walk. Where love was born. Here were toddlers were guides. Here were sunshine radiated on smiles. Where I was young, Where I was Bold. This promenade I will remember as I grow old. In just so few ways it's beauty unfolds. Within the passion of my life. This place is truly paved of Gold.
Friday, August 30, 2013
The Finished Painting: The Brooklyn Bridge
day 4: the finished painting
Sometimes it's the highlights painted in just the correct places that can make-or-break a painting. I'm so glad that the time of day in the Google Street View photo was such that flecks of light are cast onto the shadows below the suspension bridge. If this painting does indeed "make it", I think it's because of those tiny highlights. (OK, so the real Brooklyn Bridge is of a much more subdued grayish color. I guess this is an example of "artistic license" ;-) )
"The Brooklyn Bridge" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/161182156
Sometimes it's the highlights painted in just the correct places that can make-or-break a painting. I'm so glad that the time of day in the Google Street View photo was such that flecks of light are cast onto the shadows below the suspension bridge. If this painting does indeed "make it", I think it's because of those tiny highlights. (OK, so the real Brooklyn Bridge is of a much more subdued grayish color. I guess this is an example of "artistic license" ;-) )
"The Brooklyn Bridge" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/161182156
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| "The Brooklyn Bridge", 8x10" Original Oil Painting by puci |
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Photoshop Revisions: The Brooklyn Bridge
day 3: Creating the pre-painting composition (using Adobe Photoshop)
So of course the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge needs to be composed in the 10x8" tall, rather than wide. And, since I'm a cream-puff for interesting shadows and angles, this will do just fine... (Speaking of cream-puffs, anybody out there care to comment on their favorite bakery in New York?)
The Brooklyn Bridge is a bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. With a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m), it was the longest suspension bridge in the world from its opening until 1903, and the first steel-wire suspension bridge.
(via wikipedia.org)
xxx
So of course the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge needs to be composed in the 10x8" tall, rather than wide. And, since I'm a cream-puff for interesting shadows and angles, this will do just fine... (Speaking of cream-puffs, anybody out there care to comment on their favorite bakery in New York?)
The Brooklyn Bridge is a bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. With a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m), it was the longest suspension bridge in the world from its opening until 1903, and the first steel-wire suspension bridge.
(via wikipedia.org)
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| Photoshop revision of the Google Street View image of the Brooklyn Bridge |
xxx
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Destination: The Brooklyn Bridge
day 2: Capturing the selected image
OK, so I had to walk all around the bridge, and even hitched a ride across the bridge itself until I found what I consider to be a fairly interesting angle within the confines of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade area. We'll see what happens when I crop it to my usual 8x10" size for the composition and resulting painting.
Thanks for hangin' in there with me :-)
OK, so I had to walk all around the bridge, and even hitched a ride across the bridge itself until I found what I consider to be a fairly interesting angle within the confines of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade area. We'll see what happens when I crop it to my usual 8x10" size for the composition and resulting painting.
Thanks for hangin' in there with me :-)
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| Google Street View image of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York USA |
Monday, August 26, 2013
Google Street Views: The Brooklyn Bridge, New York
day 1: Planning the destination
I love your comments and even ideas for future travel destinations. Recently someone posted, "The Promenade in Brooklyn, NY maybe?"
I've already begun my Google Street View search, and surprisingly a good image for the resulting painting is slim pickin's. Sometimes the GSV images of one area are broken up into different days, months or even years; and most of the current GSV photos of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade were taken on a rather bleak-looking day. (Make sense?) But determined I am, so I've decided to focus on the Brooklyn Bridge where I'm bound to find something good...
I love your comments and even ideas for future travel destinations. Recently someone posted, "The Promenade in Brooklyn, NY maybe?"
I've already begun my Google Street View search, and surprisingly a good image for the resulting painting is slim pickin's. Sometimes the GSV images of one area are broken up into different days, months or even years; and most of the current GSV photos of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade were taken on a rather bleak-looking day. (Make sense?) But determined I am, so I've decided to focus on the Brooklyn Bridge where I'm bound to find something good...
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Resting Up, 14
day 5: a day (or more) of rest
"If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens." ~Grandma Moses
"If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens." ~Grandma Moses
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Finished Painting: Cows Near Swaziland
day 4: the finished painting
Of course life isn't always the idyllic scene we sometimes see and (for various reasons) the thousands of cattle in Swaziland have high mortality rates. But from an artistic point-of-view, I'm really pleased with this painting. I'm glad I managed to capture the lively "swoosh" of the cow's tail too...
"Cows Near Swaziland" is for sale (with lots more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/160471558
Of course life isn't always the idyllic scene we sometimes see and (for various reasons) the thousands of cattle in Swaziland have high mortality rates. But from an artistic point-of-view, I'm really pleased with this painting. I'm glad I managed to capture the lively "swoosh" of the cow's tail too...
"Cows Near Swaziland" is for sale (with lots more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/160471558
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| COWS NEAR SWAZILAND, 8x10" original Oil Painting by puci |
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Photoshop Revisions: Cows Near Swaziland
day 3: creating the pre-painting composition (using Adobe Photoshop)
Really looking forward to painting this, mostly the cow & shadow in the foreground, and the way the dusty earth has swept into the road.
Really looking forward to painting this, mostly the cow & shadow in the foreground, and the way the dusty earth has swept into the road.
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| Photoshop revision of Google Street View image, in preparation for the 8x10" painting |
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Destination: Cows near Swaziland
day 2: capturing the selected image
We are ...somewhere in South Africa. I was cruising all around and, oops, lost track of the specific area of this screen capture. Sorry about that. The little box (bottom right) let's us know that we are somewhere between Swaziland and Johannesburg. Really great scene, though. Excited to paint!
(Currently, the Google Street View options in Africa are limited to South Africa --not that I'm complaining. But maybe one day we may also have the option to travel to places like Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, or even to the Serengeti where over 2 million animals migrate to the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya.)
We are ...somewhere in South Africa. I was cruising all around and, oops, lost track of the specific area of this screen capture. Sorry about that. The little box (bottom right) let's us know that we are somewhere between Swaziland and Johannesburg. Really great scene, though. Excited to paint!
(Currently, the Google Street View options in Africa are limited to South Africa --not that I'm complaining. But maybe one day we may also have the option to travel to places like Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, or even to the Serengeti where over 2 million animals migrate to the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya.)
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| Cows near Swaziland, a screen capture from Goggle Street Views |
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
The Finished Painting: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
day 4: the finished painting
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
8x10" oil on prepared linen pad by puci
"Hawaii Volcanoes National Park" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/160007827
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
8x10" oil on prepared linen pad by puci
"Hawaii Volcanoes National Park" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/160007827
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| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park", 8x10" Original Oil Painting by puci |
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Photoshop Revisions: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
day 3: Creating the pre-painting composition (using Adobe Photoshop)
We love our adventures, don't we? We also love recording these adventures. I wonder what is more real for most people, the experience or the memory of the experience?
A wonderful artist who sometimes records-us-recording is Deladier Almeida:
http://www.deladier.com/tour.html
We love our adventures, don't we? We also love recording these adventures. I wonder what is more real for most people, the experience or the memory of the experience?
A wonderful artist who sometimes records-us-recording is Deladier Almeida:
http://www.deladier.com/tour.html
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| Photoshop revision of Google Street View, to paint... |
Friday, August 16, 2013
Destination: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
day 2: capturing the selected image
One of the more visually promising** National Parks on the list is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, USA.
** The Google Street View photos are oftentimes limited. (But sometimes limited choices make for more experimental results.)
~~~~~~~~~~
news flash 8-15-13:
One of the more visually promising** National Parks on the list is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, USA.
** The Google Street View photos are oftentimes limited. (But sometimes limited choices make for more experimental results.)
~~~~~~~~~~
news flash 8-15-13:
"Man, 73, survives 115-foot fall in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park"
http://blog.sfgate.com/hawaii/2013/08/14/man-73-survives-115-foot-fall-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/ |
| screen capture of the Google Street View image, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Google Street Views: One More National Park
day 1: Planning the destination
Let's wind down our Summertime/National Parks of the U.S. travel by visiting one more. I found a list: http://www.listofusnationalparks.com/national-parks-list/
Let's wind down our Summertime/National Parks of the U.S. travel by visiting one more. I found a list: http://www.listofusnationalparks.com/national-parks-list/
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Resting Up, 12
day 5: a day (or more) of rest
“I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort—and disappointment and perseverance.”
~Vincent Van Gogh
“I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort—and disappointment and perseverance.”
~Vincent Van Gogh
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The Finished Painting: Arches National Park
day 4: the finished painting
There is a certain tube of the color red I call "Red Rum" and it always seems to get me into trouble. It's been banished from my palette for years now. So when some mischief-makin' muse whispered "Red Rum" into the ether, I responded with, "mmmmm...OK.".
The cap on the tube of paint needed pliers to set the color free. (Should've been my first warning, Right?) Once again, "Red Rum" overpowered me, and even smashed to smithereens those huge rock slabs in the foreground I was so fond of. Thank goodness for Cadmium Yellow Deep though, which saved (if saved it is) the painting.
"Arches National Park" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/159588393
There is a certain tube of the color red I call "Red Rum" and it always seems to get me into trouble. It's been banished from my palette for years now. So when some mischief-makin' muse whispered "Red Rum" into the ether, I responded with, "mmmmm...OK.".
The cap on the tube of paint needed pliers to set the color free. (Should've been my first warning, Right?) Once again, "Red Rum" overpowered me, and even smashed to smithereens those huge rock slabs in the foreground I was so fond of. Thank goodness for Cadmium Yellow Deep though, which saved (if saved it is) the painting.
"Arches National Park" is for sale (with more photos too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/159588393
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| "Arches National Park", 8x10" Original Oil Painting by puci |
Monday, August 12, 2013
Photoshop Revisions: Arches National Park
day 3: Creating the pre-painting composition (using Adobe Photoshop)
OK, this is the Google Street View I'm going to paint. (The top right from the 3 choices in previous post/day 2.)
I modified the image somewhat as you can tell. Aren't these huge chunks of rock amazing? The whole geology of this area is fascinating: http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/arch/
OK, this is the Google Street View I'm going to paint. (The top right from the 3 choices in previous post/day 2.)
I modified the image somewhat as you can tell. Aren't these huge chunks of rock amazing? The whole geology of this area is fascinating: http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/arch/
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| Photoshop revision of Google Street View, to paint... |
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Destination: Arches National Park
day 2: Capturing the selected image
OK, as I mentioned, here's 3 of the stunning roads circling around Arches National Park in Utah, USA. These are all from the similar area along Highway 128 as it parallels the Colorado River.
OK, as I mentioned, here's 3 of the stunning roads circling around Arches National Park in Utah, USA. These are all from the similar area along Highway 128 as it parallels the Colorado River.
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| Three Google Street Views along Highway 128 near Arches National Park |
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Google Street Views: Arches National Park
day 1: Planning the destination
No mystery this trip. With my dad still at the wheel and singing his praises for America's National Parks, we're headed to Utah to check out Arches National Park.
Not that it really matters, but we won't actually be able to get into the park to get a load of the amazing rock shapes (because the only available Google Street views are along the periphery of the park, which you can see by the blue area on the attached image.)
But that's OK, because lots of the roads around the park are absolutely stunning too. I'll show you tomorrow.
No mystery this trip. With my dad still at the wheel and singing his praises for America's National Parks, we're headed to Utah to check out Arches National Park.
Not that it really matters, but we won't actually be able to get into the park to get a load of the amazing rock shapes (because the only available Google Street views are along the periphery of the park, which you can see by the blue area on the attached image.)
But that's OK, because lots of the roads around the park are absolutely stunning too. I'll show you tomorrow.
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| Area around Arches National Park where we may travel with Google Street Views |
Friday, August 9, 2013
Resting Up, 11
day 5: a day (or more) of rest
“Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” ~Claude Monet
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Finished Painting: Desert Oasis
day 4: the finished painting
Somehow the extreme heat of Death Valley turned into a cool night scene with this depiction of Scotty's Castle... a true oasis.
"Desert Oasis" is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/159133025
Somehow the extreme heat of Death Valley turned into a cool night scene with this depiction of Scotty's Castle... a true oasis.
"Desert Oasis" is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/159133025
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| "Desert Oasis" 8x10" original Oil Painting on prepared Canvas Pad by puci |
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Photoshop Revisions: A Desert Oasis
day 3: Creating the pre-painting composition (using Adobe Photoshop)
Too bad we can't go inside Scotty's Castle. It's a palatial marvel.
"Some say Death Valley Scotty built the Castle with money from his secret gold mine. (It's a good story.) Others say Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson built it. Regardless of who was responsible, the Castle is a testament to the ingenuity and character of the people involved.
The resulting structure is a beautiful example of Spanish-Mediterranean styling. It is filled with unique hand-wrought iron and tile, custom-made furniture, hand-selected tapestries and European antiques."
source: http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/scottys-bts-pag11.htm
Too bad we can't go inside Scotty's Castle. It's a palatial marvel.
"Some say Death Valley Scotty built the Castle with money from his secret gold mine. (It's a good story.) Others say Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson built it. Regardless of who was responsible, the Castle is a testament to the ingenuity and character of the people involved.
The resulting structure is a beautiful example of Spanish-Mediterranean styling. It is filled with unique hand-wrought iron and tile, custom-made furniture, hand-selected tapestries and European antiques."
source: http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/scottys-bts-pag11.htm
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| This will be the basis for the painting |
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Destination: Death Valley National Park
day 2: Capturing the selected image
I'd love to see Death Valley when the desert transforms into a rare burst of Springtime color; when enough rain calls forth the dormant wildflower seeds into a sea of gold, purple, pink or white.
But I have been to Death Valley. It was in the Summer, and it was H•O•T!!! This particular Summer, when I was still a kid, my dad (and I) drove to Death Valley, destination Scotty's Castle. Sitting in the passenger seat of his Nash Rambler with no AC, I can remember extreme lethargy. Maybe I went into a temporary coma/I don't know/I could barely breathe. But my dad, somehow, drove onward, to our oasis.
So, I'm going to paint Scotty's Castle from the comfort of my art studio. I'll be thinking of my dad too, and thanking him for this --just one of many-- summer road trip adventures.
I'd love to see Death Valley when the desert transforms into a rare burst of Springtime color; when enough rain calls forth the dormant wildflower seeds into a sea of gold, purple, pink or white.
But I have been to Death Valley. It was in the Summer, and it was H•O•T!!! This particular Summer, when I was still a kid, my dad (and I) drove to Death Valley, destination Scotty's Castle. Sitting in the passenger seat of his Nash Rambler with no AC, I can remember extreme lethargy. Maybe I went into a temporary coma/I don't know/I could barely breathe. But my dad, somehow, drove onward, to our oasis.
So, I'm going to paint Scotty's Castle from the comfort of my art studio. I'll be thinking of my dad too, and thanking him for this --just one of many-- summer road trip adventures.
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| Google Maps/Street View image capture of Scotty's Castle in Death Valley Desert |
Monday, August 5, 2013
Google Street Views: National Parks of the USA
day 1: Planning the destination
The USA is beautiful, really beautiful! and what a wonderful culmination of vision came together to set aside some of this unspoiled beauty, now known as the United States National Park System.
Did you know that the idea for the National Parks has been credited to ...an artist?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_National_Park_Service
The USA is beautiful, really beautiful! and what a wonderful culmination of vision came together to set aside some of this unspoiled beauty, now known as the United States National Park System.
Did you know that the idea for the National Parks has been credited to ...an artist?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_National_Park_Service
Saturday, August 3, 2013
The Finished Painting 3: The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 3)
an extra painting from The Grand Canyon series:
Yes, these Grand Canyon paintings are studies in various color tones, but this one seems to have taken on the look of abstract expressionism too.
(The last photo shows all 4 paintings from this Grand Canyon series side-by-side.)
"The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 3) is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/158646543
Yes, these Grand Canyon paintings are studies in various color tones, but this one seems to have taken on the look of abstract expressionism too.
(The last photo shows all 4 paintings from this Grand Canyon series side-by-side.)
"The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 3) is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/158646543
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| The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 3) 8x10" original Oil Painting on Prepared Canvas Pad by puci  |
The Finished Painting 4: The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 4)
an extra painting from The Grand Canyon series:
As I worked on this and the previous painting simultaneously, I got into "the zone" about halfway there. When these color tones presented themselves, I realized that they looked pretty good against each other if I didn't mess with them. So I managed to restrain my "helicopter painter" tendencies and just let the painting be what it seemed to want to be.
(The last photo shows all 4 paintings from this Grand Canyon series side-by-side.)
The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 4) is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/158646809
As I worked on this and the previous painting simultaneously, I got into "the zone" about halfway there. When these color tones presented themselves, I realized that they looked pretty good against each other if I didn't mess with them. So I managed to restrain my "helicopter painter" tendencies and just let the painting be what it seemed to want to be.
(The last photo shows all 4 paintings from this Grand Canyon series side-by-side.)
The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 4) is for sale: https://www.etsy.com/listing/158646809
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| The Grand Canyon (tonal variation 4) 8x10" original Oil Painting on Prepared Canvas Pad by puci  |
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Resting Up, 10
day 5: a day (or more) of rest
~ Rest? I don't think so... two more Grand Canyon (tonal variations) coming within the next 2 days.
~ Then we travel on to...? Any requests? Just post a comment and we're there (if a Google camera person has already been there).
~ Rest? I don't think so... two more Grand Canyon (tonal variations) coming within the next 2 days.
~ Then we travel on to...? Any requests? Just post a comment and we're there (if a Google camera person has already been there).
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