Heisler Park

"Heisler Park --Laguna Beach, CA"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

One last painting of moving water.  I really wanted to try to get the idea of waves coming in and cresting.  This has been a good semester on studying water.  It will probably take a lifetime to get it completely right, but I feel like I can at least tackle the subject with some hope of people recognizing what it is.  I really love the ocean and how it changes constantly.  This will not be the last "water" painting. 

Rack 'Em Up

"Rack 'Em Up"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

This was our final assignment this semester:  "Pretend you've been commissioned to do a painting about a sport for an office or a publication."  Hmmm....what sport to pick?  I know! Let me pick something that has tons of angles, straight lines, and round edges to paint -- all of which are a pain to do.  Billiards!!  Perfect.  Anyway, it seemed like a good idea when I first thought of it.  I had some fun putting it in a grid pattern.  A very different kind of assignment, especially for a landscape class.  But it's all good.  I learned things with this painting, and that's the whole point, after all.

With A Little Help From My Friends

"With A Little Help From My Friends"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2010

Don't these guys just make you smile!  This was the other painting left for display last year (see explanation under "Koi").  I got to thinking.  If you're a bird, you really need to have friends because there are always going to be things that you just can't do on your own.  Not a bad lesson for the rest of us--bird or otherwise.

Koi

"Koi"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2010

Wow -- I'd forgotten what this one looked like it was painted so long ago.   Last December, when class ended, a group of us left behind paintings of birds and fish for a gallery display that was going to happen in January 2011 in the art building.  Then the paintings took a little trip to another location for a showing, and I just got mine back.  This is part of the "paint a fish" assignment last year.  As you can see, it also received an incredibly clever title.  Oh, well.  The funny little "sparkle" effects (whatever you want to call them) in the water are from adding salt to the paint while it's wet.  It's a cool technique and you never really know exactly what's going to happen.  So that's exciting! 

Autumn River

"Autumn River" (Watercolor)  ©  C. Eastwood, 2011

When my teacher saw what I was attempting to paint, she was actually quite polite about the way she questioned my sanity.  I believe it was something like, "Oh my.  Really?"  The subtext being -- "Are you nuts?"  But I have to say I learned quite a lot during this exercise.  I wanted to learn about painting moving water -- never dreaming that long before I got to the painting of it, I would be running the top half of my work under a faucet and scrubbing it with a sponge to lighten things up and start over.  So I guess you could say it's a moving water exercise in every sense of the word!

Tackling Another Winslow Homer

Based on the Work of Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer was a genius, period.  No amount of practicing will ever make my work look exactly like his.  (Of course, I'd already established the fact that my next career was not going to be as an art forger.)  So this exercise became about painting moving water and, in this instance, spray.  This is somewhat different than the original, but I'm happy with it.  And I'm grateful to Mr. Homer for painting such a beautiful piece to begin with.  You might want to check it out -- his original is called "Incoming Tide."

The Elusive Exercise #2

Exercise Based on the Work of Ray Campbell Smith

It's the missing exercise #2!  This had several challenges in addition to the "still water" aspect -- namely those rather pesky building reflections that merged into the hill reflection.  But all-in-all, this has been a terrific set of exercises that have provided a lot of new skills.  So that's a good thing!

Practicing Winslow Homer

Exercise Based on the Work of Winslow Homer

When most people think of Winslow Homer, they think of his amazing oil paintings.  But he was also the master of watercolor.  This is the last in a series of exercises on "still water" and it was time to try another technique.  This is Winslow Homer's "Fishing Boats, Key West" -- or rather it's an attempt to copy it and his style.  His original painting was actually watercolor and graphite on a woven linen.  I attempted to get some of the same speckled look by dry-brushing.

Calla Lily Crazy

"Calla Lily Crazy"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

More calla lily paintings!  They don't just come in white!

Calla Lily Trio

"Calla Lily Trio"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Having some fun with the calla lilies.  Just did two of them -- this one and "Calla Lily Crazy."

Practicing Simplicity Continues

Exercised Based on the Work of Ray Campbell Smith

This simplicity stuff actually takes some practice!!  This is my third painting in this series of exercises in learning to paint with less detail.  (Painting #2 hasn't been posted yet because...well, because I'm an artist and I'm not constrained by the necessity of posting things in order.  So there!)  The "still water" thing is pretty much under control.  This one was selected specifically because there was a "sky" to paint.  I had some fun with that.  Mine is actually a bit more menacing-looking insofar as coming rain.  Stay tuned.  I might just actually post #2...who knows!

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

Painting Exercise Based on the Work of Ray Campbell Smith

Today's mission impossible:  Get Christine to simplify her paintings.  I tend to put a lot of detail in my work, which is not the generally accepted practice in watercolor where they truly live by the mantra that less is more.  So when we went to class, we were given the assignment of copying a painting that is more in keeping with this style.  While the instructor does not particularly like to use this method of teaching, apparently she was desperate enough to try it because some of us (that would be me) weren't getting it.  This was fun!  And I actually did the entire thing in one class period.  Phew!!  I'm going to try a few more to cement this process in my brain, and then I have a painting date with a beautiful photo we took in Florence, Italy along the Arno River.

Tea Time

"Tea Time"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Okay -- first painting upon returning to class this semester.  We were supposed to find "stuff" around the house that would provide a glimpse into something we like or that was important to us.  Mostly, I like tea.  But there are some times when the caffeine dependency moves this from the "like" category into "important."

Wes

"Wes"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Several of us in class are doing portraits of one of our own who is unable to join us this semester due to illness.  We were inspired by a terrific gallery display at SAC featuring portraits of one person by a number of different artists.  Since Wes is so involved with the SAC gallery, we thought it would be fun to give him the same treatment and make him the subject for our paintings and drawings.  Hey, Wes -- you're missed!

Painting Water -- Maldives Sunset

"Maldives Sunset" (Watercolor)  C.Eastwood, ©2011

Back to class and it's time to learn to paint water -- how appropriate in a watercolor class, no?  We're starting with "still" water and will work up to "ripples."  The big finish will be "running water."  As I write this, it sounds a bit pathetic, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Calla Lily

"Calla Lily"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

I find myself fascinated by white flowers.  They're so very striking!

Assignment -- Copy a Master

"Bordighera" by Claude Monet  (25 1/2" x 32") On display at the Chicago Art Institute

Assignment -- Copy a Master  (Acrylic, 24" x 30")

Nostalgia time:   If you're going to do something crazy, at least make it worth your while.  This was the first painting class after a 38-year hiatus, and the final assignment was to copy a master.  Of course I picked Monet.  It was an interesting undertaking to say the least.  I lost track of how many trips across the studio I made in an attempt to get far enough away to see if it was working.  I think Monet's reputation is safe.  And I'm also reasonably certain that my next career will NOT be as an art forger.  But it was fun.

Still Life In Blue

"Still Life In Blue"  (Acrylic)  © C. Eastwood, 2009

This was actually one of my first paintings when I made the decision to try my hand once again.  I stuck it away at the time and just rediscovered it.  I can remember sweating bullets over the thought of painting a checked towel that reflected in the pitcher.  That's another good thing about taking a class...the instructor makes you paint things you wouldn't necessarily try on your own.

Haleakala Afternoon

"Haleakala Afternoon"  (Acrylic)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Another painting of Haleakala -- this time in acrylics.  And if you think the colors are crazy, then you haven't seen the crater in the late afternoon sun.

Sunny-Side Up

"Sunny-Side Up"  (Watercolor) © C. Eastwood, 2011

These are the most amazing poppies.  They're about 5 inches across with bright yellow centers and ruffly white petals.  Their common name is a "fried egg" plant -- hence the name of the painting. 

Transitions

"Transitions"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

This was also part of the Student Art Show in 2010. 

Home Gym

"Home Gym"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

I'm going back and adding in some of my older work.  This one was actually a winner at the Student Art Show in 2010.  I just got it back last week -- it's been on loan all this time.  Don't you think it should be hanging in a gym somewhere near where they talk to prospective members!

Bradley the Wonder Dog

"Bradley the Wonder Dog"  (Acrylic)  © CEastwood, 2010

This was my first attempt at a "doggie" portrait -- although it would hardly be fair to classify Bradley as a "dog."  He belonged to dear friends, and when he passed on to doggie-heaven (and surely there must be one), he left a pretty big hole in all our hearts.  He was one-of-a-kind and, with his antics, he earned his title.

Tiny Dancer

"Tiny Dancer"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2011

"Tiny Dancer" is the first in the "Tiny Dancer Series."

Pas de Deux

"Pas de Deux"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2011

The second in the "Tiny Dancer Series."

Summer Fruit -- Triptych (SOLD)

"Grapes"  (Acrylic) © CEastwood, 2011

"Strawberries"  (Acrylic)  © CEastwood, 2011

"Kiwi"  (Acrylic)  © CEastwood, 2011

These three small paintings (5" x 5") were done on gallery canvases and meant to be hung as a triptych entitled "Summer Fruit."  The paintings were done for a charity auction benefiting the Daisy Miracle Brennan Endowed Fund in support of the Infant Special Care Center (ISCC) at the University of California, San Diego.  Daisy Miracle was an angel on loan for a very short period of time, but she continues to touch others and help them through this fund.

Goldfish

"Goldfish"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

This was another one of those class projects.  "Paint a fish."  It was interesting to try and make the tail appear transparent.  It probably deserves a better title.  Oh, well.

Toucan

"Toucan"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

There's something about being in a class.  The teacher says, "Paint a bird."  A bird?  Really?  Okay.  But you know what?  This guy was actually lots of fun to do. 

Haleakala -- Abstract (SOLD)

"Haleakala"  (Watercolor)  © C.Eastwood, 2010

This is an abstract of the crater at Haleakala on Maui.  What an incredible sight.  If you've never had the opportunity to see it and it comes along -- don't miss it.  We saw it in late afternoon and it was breath-taking.

Highlife

"Highlife"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

Got some new watercolor brushes and this was the first painting I tried with them.  Wow -- sable really makes a difference! 

Market Day I

"Market Day I"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

The first of the "Market Day Series" I have planned.

Market Day II -- Anticipation

"Market Day II -- Anticipation"  (Watercolor)  © CEastwood, 2010

The second in the "Market Day Series" I have planned.

Blue Angels

"Blue Angels"  (16" x 20" Acrylic)  © CEastwood, 2011

This is one of those special moments, captured for all time.  The photographer was watching her husband walk out to his jet accompanied by their two daughters and she snapped the shot.  It just had to be turned into a painting.

Dude

"Dude"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

The name for this painting is a bit tongue-in-cheek.  A few years ago there was a certain highly successful animated movie that featured sea turtles from Australia who were prone to commenting, "Dude!" about everything.  Somehow, the name stuck and, thereafter, any sea turtles that were sighted were promptly named Dude.  So why would the painting be any different!