Back on the easel ...

Once in awhile a painting that was deemed finished

will find it's way back to the studio

in need of a little more attention

Such is the case with Binoculars #167

which is all framed up, but back in the studio

and on the easel receiving the attention it needs. 

The lonely horizon called out for something.

Cheerful spinnaker sails

now race and dance

in earnest across it's horizon.

Not only are they racing each other,

but they are racing ahead of the bad weather

that chases at their sterns. 





From the Studio: Photo of the Week and update.

'The Three Easels' - March 16, 2012.

(From Left to Right: Pochade Box, Jullian, and Mabef)

------------------------

This past week

 final touches were placed to Binoculars #167, 

which will be framed this coming week

and delivered to the Cate Charles Gallery

by the weekend. 

Also, this past week

I was inspired by an idea I had while

riding my bike on the back roads

of where I live.

The idea ...

bring my paints with me

and get the best of

both worlds!

The strategising and logistics

of this harebrained idea

are still in the works,

(also, I'm waiting for good weather)

though I hope to get out there

this coming week for

at least a trial run! 

So, stay tuned for what's to come!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Binoculars #167 - Sky and Water. (nearing completion)

Binoculars #167 - View from Eastern Point - Sky and Water.

8" x 60". Oil on mdo board. 2012. Copyright.

---------------------

There are times when the pursuit of

looking for exciting boating activity on the water

for new pieces, can be a fruitless effort. 

Though, instead of giving it up as a total loss,

my attention usually turns

 to Race Rock Lighthouse

(if I'm at Avery or Eastern Point(s)),

a favourite fixture on the water,

then my eyes drift to study   

the Sky and the Water,

which always offer 

good sources of inspiration! 

To the South of Long Island,

 somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean,

was some heavy weather lingering about

causing for a multi-layered cloud effect,

everything from fog to cirrus clouds 

creating a rather dramatic view

from the sun-kissed shores of

Southeastern Connecticut.

The results are found in

Binoculars #167 - View from Eastern Point.

 

Lighthouse and Cloud Detail from Binoculars #167.

..............................

Gallery Location to be Announced.

The Artistic Wisdom of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo Da Vinci. Vitruvian Man. 1487.

Pen and ink with wash over metalpoint on paper. 13 1/2" x 10".

(Image source from Wikipedia)

---------------------------------

One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.

~ Leonardo Da Vinci. (1452-1519)

Learn more on Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man here.

From the Studio: Photo of the Week and some thoughts.

Painter's Jar. - March 10, 2012.

..................................

The production rate in the studio

this past week was rather slow,
much like pouring molasses,

the complete opposite

of what I was hoping for,

especially when the week started out

with stores of vigor and moxie.

Chiefly for two reasons

1. I had to deal with the shipment
of a rather large painting
with a small shipping budget,
that was destined for its new home in
St Croix of the Virgin Islands.

(which was a success thanks to a friend.)

and

2. I know that there are some 

key upcoming opportunities,

in the marine art community
that I simply cannot pass up.

So, I shifted my mind and energies
to the nearing deadlines by  

organising dates on the calendar,

the planning of new paintings,

and to my dismay, a total rewrite of

the Binoculars series statement.

And peppered in between
all of the strategizing,
brush marks found their
way onto pieces that have
been begging to be finished.

So, even though it may have
been slow work at the easel
my mind on the other hand
was quick at work
preparing
for things to come!

Focus and determination
can carry one far.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

  

From the Studio: Photo of the Week., plus update.

 

'On the Easel' - March 4, 2012.

(I'm totally smitten with my beloved easel!)

-----------------------------

As I am finishing up
new works-in-progress and starting new works
with the last remaining panels still kicking around,

this coming week, I will soon be preparing for
a party of panels that will, hopefully, flood the studio,
and keep me entertained for a while.

Already the ideas are queuing up and  
jockeying for first placement on the easel. 

A motley crew of panels in varying sizes,

thicknesses, and ideas is expected.

The overall theme for this party is

Go Larger!

More to come, so please stay tuned!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~



The Artistic Wisdom of Ludwig van Beethoven

Polly Seip. Winter Sunsets - On the way Home #12.

6"x6". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

-------------------------------------

"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine."

~ Ludwig van Beethoven.

---------------------------------

I discovered this beautiful slice of artistic wisdom while listening to this. Enjoy!

From the Studio: Photo of the Week.

'Roughing It'. Feb, 24 2012. - Me plein-air painting.

-----------------

In a previous blog post,

I mentioned I'd been become 

a little rusty at plein-air painting.

For the past few years I'd given myself

a number of reasons and excuses 

to believe in why I couldn't go plein-air painting.

Though in my heart of hearts

I knew none of them to be true.  

None of them held any ground any longer.

For my love for plein-air painting

had never tarnished.

Like a coveted dream it was always there.  

Determined to bring back

the shine I once had,

I've promised myself

to plein-air paint

as much as possible.

I believe in a good balance.

A good balance of

studio and plein-air painting,

working hand in hand,

each brush stroke helping the next

to become more refined and more skilled.

These are the efforts to become

a better painter all around.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Sunlight, Shadows, and Snow. (plein-air)

Sunlight, Shadows, and Snow - plein-air.

8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Oil on Birch. 2012. Copyright.

Please contact me for pricing and shipping options.

----------------------

   This morning's greetings were unlike 

yesterday's gray and cold muckiness,

instead the sky was brilliant blue 

full of fluffy white clouds

being ushered across the sky 

with help of high winds,

creating wonderful blue shadows

on the bright and glowing snow!

Out in the yard,

it was me against the wind.

The wind attempted to knock

the painting off the easel a number of times.

The wind pushed clouds infront of the Sun.

The wind also attempted to push the

brush around as if, it wanted to paint.

Nearing the end of this plein-air session,

my hands and fingers were starting

to lose the battle against the wind,

so, I happily retreated to 

a warm studio to make

a few final touches.

Outside, the wind is still howling.  

And, the painting is safe and sound in the studio.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Woods and Snow. (plein-air)

Woods and Snow. (plein-air).

8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Oil on Birch. 2012. Copyright.

Please contact me for pricing and shipping options.

----------------------

We woke up this morning to a surprise snowfall,

which was rather wet and heavy, and melting away before your eyes.

My immediate thought was to get out there and paint it before it disappears! 

So, in keeping with my attempt to brush off the rust on my plein-air skills

I gathered my gear together and ventured into the yard. 

 Me in action.

And, now it is time to warm up with a nice cup of hot tea!!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

The Artistic Wisdom of Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas. Two Ballet Dancers. Pastel. 1879. Shelburne Museum, VT. 

--------------------------------------------------------

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.

~ Edgar Degas  (1834 – 1917)

At the Cate Charles Gallery ...

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213.

In the window

Winter Sunsets - On the Way Home #12.

6" x 6". oil on mdo. 2011. Copyright.

*Please note: This piece is no longer available.*

Binoculars #139 - View from East Beach, Watch Hill, RI.

8" x 48" Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

(Notice the article)

Binoculars #162 - View from Avery Point (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.

 Winter Sunsets - On the way Home.

6" x 6". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Copyright.

(Top:#6 Middle: #5 Bottom: #4)

Binoculars #145 - View from Avery Point. (Afternoon Cruise)

10" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

Binoculars #141 - View from Avery Point. (A good catch)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

In the window

 Binoculars #163 - View from Avery Point. (USCG - European Voyage)

10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. 2012. Floating frame. Copyright.

In the window

*Please note: This piece is no longer available.*

Binoculars #137 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011-12. Floating frame. Copyright.

----------

If, interested, please contact the Gallery for

availability of pieces, pricing, and shipping options.

Thank you.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

From Studio to Gallery - Binoculars #163.

The latest addition to the Binoculars Series,

Binoculars #163. (USCG Cutter)

is now available at the

Sylvan Gallery

 Binoculars #163. View from Avery Point / USCG Cutter Returns from European Voyage.
10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. 2012. Floating Frame. (wax finish). Copyright.

Binoculars #163 - Detail.

Binoculars #163 - Signature Detail.

If interested, please contact the gallery for pricing and shipping options.

Thank you.

----------------------------------

If, you are curious to know of Binoculars #163's story, you may click here.

Thank you and Cheers, ~ Polly ~

From Studio to Gallery.

Pieces are now available at the

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213.

 Binoculars #137 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2011-12. © Copyright.

Binoculars #141 - View from Avery Point. (A good catch.)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

 Binoculars #150 - View from Eastern Point. (Twilight Cruise) 

8" x 60". oil mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Binoculars #162 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2012. © Copyright.

If interested, please contact the gallery

for pricing and shipping options.

Thank you.

--------------------------------------

Before paintings leave the studio for the gallery

they begin the last process of documenting and presentation.

Paintings are signed, dated, titled, dry, varnished, and

recieve a thorough inspection before they head off to the woodshop

for framing where they'll wait for their custom fit to be made.

Hand selected poplar is milled into a contemporary

floating framestock of my design, in the studio's woodshop.

The frames undergo the same treatment as the paintings.

They are fitted, mitered, joined, glued, sanded, waxed,

and recieve a final seal of approval before paintings are set

into their frames where they will be showcased to the World! 

Each painting is then photographed multiple times
for the closest possible match to the actual piece.

The images are then photoshopped for id-ing and
a little extra fine tuning on the matching if needed.

The last and final step, delivery to the Gallery.

For all the World to see.

The Artistic Wisdom of Paul Cezanne.

Paul Cezanne. Mont Sainte-Victoire. Oil on canvas. 65 x 81 cm. 1904-06. 
(Image source and info: Wikipedia.)

All my life I have worked to be able to earn my living, but I thought that one could do good painting without attracting attention to one's private life. Certainly, an artist wishes to raise himself intellectually as much as possible, but the man must remain obscure. The pleasure must be found in the work.

~ Paul Cezanne.