So part of my prize in my third place finish in the Savvy Painter Podcast Competition, was a gift certificate from Trekel Art Supplies, a company new to me. I found that they are located just north of my hometown, Fontana CA, in Hesperia. I ordered some of their watercolor paper mounted on Gatorboard. The paper was a standard Arches cold press but the idea of a stable mounting onto something sturdy appealed to me. If a painting was successful, I could varnish it and frame without a mat or glass.
Now I`ve bought Arches blocks for decades but never found it as responsive as it is on these boards. With an abstraction especially, I really work the surface hard. The board did warp some but I think a frame will straighten it. The color was the big surprise. Luminous, almost like Yupo. Those rich colors are so satisfying to me.
This was my last completed landscape.
As usual, late autumn is full of color and structure in the wilder areas. Yesterday I walked in Bryant Woods as it drizzled and it was a sodden, glorious feast for the senses;
If you haven`t seen it yet, this is the newly attributed da Vinci masterpiece that just sold for a record breaking $450,000,000. The authenticity was questioned for years and I`m not sure how the experts became certain. But if you look closely at the enigmatic expression with its otherworldly gaze, it seems to me, no one else could have done it. It is about the most arresting portrait I`ve ever seen. Its seductive power is utterly unique.
My pal, Don Gray, posted an interview with our National Treasure, the painter Tom Uttech on Facebook. It is well worth a look. This man paints visceral, haunting images of the upper Great Lakes region. In my humble opinion, painting doesn`t get much better.
Speaking of Don Gray, he and Ruth Armitage will join me in a show entitled 'Nature Perceived' at the Grant`s Pass Art Museum beginning in late February. The museum suggested a show for me a couple of years ago just as I was preparing an exhibit for the Coos Art Museum. Not wanting to tie up a whole lot of work again, I asked if my buddies could join me. It will be an interesting show. Ruth is doing some dynamic abstractions based on aerial views of her family`s farm, while Don sways between representation and expressionist abstraction. Nature will be interpreted with inventive loving attention.
Finally, I`ve decided to take a break from writing this blog. Regular visitors will have noticed the long gaps between posts. For the first time in nine years I feel like I don`t have much to say. Rather than post half hearted stuff, I`m just going to leave for awhile. As I`ve mentioned, it is not only a promotional tool but has become somewhat of a journal too. This aspect is important to me. The best part is the friends it`s given me, both locally and beyond. I never expected that or that anyone would actually read it. I thought people would just look at the pictures like John does. Yet I`ve heard the kindest commentary on my writing. Thank you.
I will still post new work here;
Randall David Tipton Facebook Studio Page
Instagram @ randalldavidt
Pinterest 'My Own Work'
and on my new blog for sales
Work for Sale in my Studio
I`ll be back sooner than later!
Let`s be like this monkey, gentle!
