Back to daily painting

Just so I don't lose my momentum, here's a little still life.

6" x 6" 

oil on canvas

It's all finished!!

I really fell off with my blogging. It was a very wonderful project but very demanding because Wilshire and Western is so busy. Hundreds of people, many who stopped to talk and comment and the buses....... I was so tired at the end of the day. I think the noise took a toll. The box was finished on time and graffiti coated without incident and the everyone ws very happy and complimentary. there are plans for more but I hope it's a week or so off before I hve tothink about going out on the street again.

I wanted to express my appreciation for the great security staff who not only made sure I was safe but answered many questions from passers-by.

Thanks Officers Rudy and Freddy!

Here are the finished murals.

omg a whole week went by....but this is the entry for Sunday

today things started to come into focus

I spent the week end priming and sanding the utility box in between classes. It is really physical work and as I was cleaning the box people glanced me as if I was just crazy.

But today things started to come into focus. With a clean smooth surface, I got to work. 

I'm working for the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District. They are really committed to having public art in the neighborhood and once again I am touched and moved with how much people want to have art in their environment. There was a constant stream of supportive complimentary and encouraging people from every walk of life. I have amazing security support. Officer Rudy was sort of miffed that I didn't call him when a schizophrenic homeless person got a little close and another homeless man intervened and then they got in a shouting match. The wild guy started shouting and carrying on and went away and then ran back to me and threw a dollar in my supply case then ran away again and shouted that the dollar was for me and not for the guy who was helping me out. I'll save the dollar.

Priming today

I got it relatively smooth and put on a coat of primer. Tomorrow an underpainting!

stripping paint and sanding....

I took time between classes to run out to the street to prep the utility box. It had many coats of gray paint that would interfere with my paintings.  So I stripped and sanded until it was smooth. 

I know that this is a stretch for daily painting but I'm getting ready to start on the Wilshire Western utility box. I went to Home Depot and did some damage then cleaned out Nova Color. Trying to be there very early to get started before figure class. Will take lots of photos. The box is right at the Metro station and people and traffic will be an issue. 

I got the 4th side finished today and am waiting to hear that it's a go. The box is sort of beat up and in a very busy location where the subway lets out and people get on buses. This will be a real adventure!

Tuesday - the third side is just about done

The palms in this neighborhood are wonderful. They line all the streets so here's a version that is at the corner of Wilshire and Manhattan Place.

Starting on the final right now, maybe I'll post it later tomight, Want to have it all ready tomorrow.

this what I got in today. 2 more sides in the works for tomorrow 

catching up but still daily painting

On Wednesday afternoon my iPhone ( aka my brain) went missing..... while it was a strange rest to not have any calls or things I had to respond to, it did put me out of touch with my blog. So here is the catch up.  I was working on this when I realized pandora had stopped playing, I went to the computer and the cable was there but my phone which had been acting as the airport was gone.......

That's as far as I got.

Thursday morning is my day to drive to Murrieta to teach and I have been painting along with the class. They like it and it keeps me on track. Here's a link to the blog I keep for them.

plateau plein air painters

Then Friday I got to get this one in.....

and next day work in this

and today I finished the above, but the photo was full of glare- will include tomorrow and started on the final version of the Wiltern,

I haven't said too much because I'm so happy and nervous about this project. The box at Wilshire and Western! I have two strong possibilities and an idea for a third. Needs to be in by Wednesday. Stay tuned. 

my iphone went missing

I have two paintings to post from wednesday and thursday but sometime wednesay evening when I was working in the studio on a study for the new utility box, my phone disappeared. Getting it replaced today!

more thoughts on the wiltern

Closing in on a scene but will tighten this one up just a bit so that the Wiltern doesn't look like it's on fire. I got some great sunset photos along Wilshire last night, that might be good for the next side. Will also go up to the Los Altos Apartments for ideas.

Starting on ideas for the box at WIlshire and Western

I have to go to the art store to get the right format of canvas.Today I just had to get started so I painted over an old painting. WIll do more tomorrow!