Painting "Walk On"

Here's the next one up. I love to name paintings after songs, so this one is dedicated to John Hiatt! This initial sketch is done with brush, turp, ultramarine blue and transparent red oxide.

I always try to start with "transparent" colors worked thin (I use only turp,no mediums) Bringing in heavy opaques too early muddies the color.

Here, I've given her a face right off...maybe the facelessness experience with "...Balance" still haunts me. :-)

What I love about this particular bear was her structure. When you watch a bear, even ambling, you cannot help but appreciate their extraordinary strength.

In case there was any doubt that I paint with passion and energy: The brush on the bottom is new, the brush on the top was new two days ago.

So, why doesn't she have a background? Originally I'd planned a sort of abstract background for this bear...but she is "asking" for something different and we haven't come to an agreement, yet.

The "journey" of a painting, for me, sometimes means letting go of my goals and letting the piece take you where it wants to go. So negotiations regarding background continue...

She won...the "new" background is from this bear's stomping grounds along Mary Bay.

The colors of the reddish and green vegetation and the yellowish sulfur pool balance against her. The mass of trees behind her and the steam make good abstract elements.

In the original drawing the space above/behind her was almost balanced with the space below/in front. I am using the environmental elements to break that space up, yet still keep a sort of yin/yang effect.

After letting this one "breathe" for a while, I am back at it. This piece breaks some "rules"...the viewer isn't "held within" the painting. I want the viewer to feel the bear is passing through.

"Walk On"
Available through Visions West Gallery.

And...
there she is...