Cheers to This

What is my relationship to this space and the other people in it? This is a question considered often, consciously or unconsciously. The answer can affect, inform, change the tone of the event; no matter how different it is to each individual.

There’s a certain dreamlike quality to this painting that evokes the same question, asking the viewer to stop, take a moment, and think about how we got here. Notice the familiarity of the lighting and shape of the cabinets, the recognizable drinking glasses and hands. Does this familiarity distract from the lack of defining details and any signs of habitation?

some prep sketches and notes

frames from Upper Canada Stretchers

Starting with an acrylic wash of dioxazine purple, basic shapes and values were placed using a painted sketch as a guide. After establishing a few solid base layers, working wet into wet, it sat and dried for about a week. Going back into it, I no longer incorporated any linseed oil into my paint, focusing instead on thicker applications of paint to further contrast and details. The last step was creating the gingko leaves with my palette knife and rich swaths of yellows and oranges.

progress- working back to front

detail of a corner

progress- solidifying the figures

Materials:

-stretcher bars from Upper Canada Stretcher

-cotton duck canvas

-gesso

-oil paint and brushes

-palette knife

-linseed oil

my palette