Absence makes the heart grow fonder

It had been over two months since I last painted. Although I work out side the home three days a week many summer chores pull me in one direction or another. Not sure if this has been the longest dry spell but good feelings were washing over me as I stepped into the studio. Some cleaning and organizing always sets the mood; a clean slate as they say. Couple months ago I printed off some landscapes taken in black and white and one in particular caught my eye. It had a sense of simplicity with a nice composition of elements. I wanted to keep this painting simple but interesting. I decided to limit my pallet as well and selected four of my favorites. Two from the iron oxide group, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber. For my cool side I used French Ultramarine and of course a generous portion of white. Going directly into the 48 inch x 24 inch hard board panel with a 3 inch brush I roughed out the main elements with pure Burnt Sienna. Using a 1.5 inch flat I went directly into the drawing with 

ultramarine to establish a sense of water. A mixture of Burnt Umber, Ultramarine and a small amount of white were used to establish the closest upright elements. A lot of white was introduced into the sky mass and highlights with mixtures of all of the above. This painting happened so fast it seamed to paint itself. Perhaps it is true; absence does make the heart grow fonder. Anyway I was pleased with this one.

 

48 x 24 inches oil on panel unframed $500.00

Prints available at www.sodenkampart.com then link to Fine Art America.

   

Change is good

The studio has been quite for a wile.

The warm weather draws inspiration into the garden. Not unlike the canvas the soil also calls for attention. The silent beauty of life coming forth from a tiny seed. A profound lesson for the involved viewer and caretaker. Painstakingly the medium is prepared to receive a tiny container of atoms looking nothing like what it will become. Then once committed, the act of love and care must exist when the gift's emerge. Like first strokes of green they come into existence. A reshuffling off atoms has taken place. Now life has arrived from what seams like nothing into something. Tending this new life must become the artist's obligation in order to produce a masterful outcome. As the days pass into weeks and then months a profound connection between the artist and his work becomes apparent. The work grows strong and beautiful then one day it is barring fruit. The connection becomes more pronounce as the gift of life sets upon the table. Not unlike any life there is the appearance of a beginning and an ending to it. However as the fruit is prepared the artist recognizes that container of atoms and knows it did not die it just changed into something else. It will live again in another place and time. Every moment that passes change was taking place. Nothing stays the same, Every-Thing is in a constant state of change and movement. The universe contains all of existence. Nothing happens outside of it. Everything comes from it and is influenced by it. Nothing dies; it changes. Change is good.

Acrylic on 48 inch round panel called (change)

 

www.sodenkampart.com