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A Two-fer, but not on tuesday

Hello everyone! It’s been awhile (again). I seem to say this every time I send an update. Like I’ve said before, I promised not to SPAM with unnecessary emails, and I’m definitely holding true to my word on that. 😜 At least I don’t have to be concerned with too many people unsubscribing. Well, maybe I do, because some of you are going to receive this and say “who is this guy, I never signed up for this”, because there’s such a huge gap in between emails.

Before I get started I want to clear up some confusion from my last email. I’ve had several people reach out to me thinking that I permanently stopped selling my paintings. I am only pausing indefinitely, i.e. an unspecified/unknown amount of time. I plan on this changing in the near future, but I don’t have an exact date in mind yet. I just need a bit of time to get some footing underneath me. There are several things that factor into this such as exhibitions, promoting my work through other means, and also the time to solidify my pricing. My photographic prints are always available. If you haven’t checked them out yet, they’re available here (Limited Edition) & (Open Edition). As for the paintings, there is only one original, so once I sell it, it’s gone from my possession forever. I don’t make prints of my paintings the way most artists do. There are two reasons for this. One, it’s too difficult to get a good photograph of my paintings that is suitable for printing. The style and texture are unique and light refracts in a million different directions. Second, I want the owner of my paintings to have something all to themselves. There are no copies or prints anywhere else.

Anyway, more of what’s going on. I’ve been painting, painting, and painting some more. I’ve finished a couple of pieces since my last email, so that’s why I’m sending this— to let you know how I’ve been spending my time. I also had to write poems for the two most recent paintings, and sometimes this goes quick, and sometimes I struggle for the words. Like my paintings, I definitely don’t want to throw a mediocre poem out there. It has to be perfect, and match the feeling of the painting.

Let’s talk about the new paintings now. I’ve ranted on long enough. 🥵

What You Are is beautiful

OK, let’s start with What You Are Is Beautiful. I started this painting as a side project while I was working on A Girl Of A Different Kind but to me, it quickly became a very meaningful piece of work.

I’ve always loved Van Gogh’s painting titled Almond Blossom, and wanted to do my own tribute to that. I decided to do a plum blossom and I went extra crazy with the wavy patterns throughout the piece. I’m really happy with the finished product. I especially love the frame. 😊

The blues took a bit of time, but that was nothing compared to the flowers. Painting the petals with a palette knife was self-induced torture. I used a brush for the stamens though (I might be crazy, but not that crazy 😝). I also used a brush to add some shadows throughout the painting.

How about one more?

OK, this rarely happens. Two paintings in one post! The result of dragging my feet in between posting updates.

This painting is titled I Will Be Good To You. I was close to being finished with What You Are Is Beautiful when I started on this one. I’ve been wanting to paint a rose for awhile. At least with oil paint. I’ve done a couple of roses with watercolors. What better type of rose to paint than one on it’s last day. Sort of the way I feel sometimes after 6-7 straight hours of painting. 🫠

This painting was fun to create. Once again, I used more of a solid color on the background, but with some slight shades of darker and softer colors. The only use of a brush in this painting is the shading. I also use a brush to sign my name. What kind of idiot would attempt that with a palette knife? Well, I did try it in the beginning, but it didn’t work out very well, so I guess I should shut up. 🤭

I didn’t have anything in mind when I painted this one. Nothing to pay homage to, other than a dying rose. The petals on this painting were quite the challenge. Especially the shading. The light is coming in from the right, and I applied the paint extra thick so that it had a three dimensional look. Again, I’m happy with how this painting turned out. I guess if I wasn’t happy, then I wouldn’t be posting about it here. It would by laying in the trash can, awaiting the Friday morning pickup. The frame was a custom order— I knew the dark brown, with copper accents was the only way to go.

Wrapping Things Up…

Once more, if you’ve made it this far. THANK YOU! I truly appreciate all of you.

It will be a few months before I’ll be posting the painting I’m currently working on. I don’t know exactly when I’ll get finished, but I do know that it’s not going to be anytime soon. It’s a 30x40— larger than anything I’ve painted yet. I’m maybe 30% of the way there, but it’s coming out better than I imagined. It’s very, very complex, but will be worth it in the end.

That’s all for now. Everyone have a great summer!

Be good or be good at it,
Patrick