We wanted to get away and get some art done. We considered a workshop in Cornwall and house rentals in Ireland beckoned. But, for reasons, we determined that a staycation would be the best solution at this time.

Home, a fine place for a vacation. (Note doors from a 150-year-old Minnesota barn, mentioned later.)

Staycation, that’s where you spend your vacation at home. To make it as real as possible, we moved into the guest room, took our meals on the balcony, and looked for other diversions, like a picnic in a park we’d not before known. We even found a new treasure for the house (a unique lamp), something we often do commemorating our travels.

Anne, at her press, and wonderful mess, on her side of the studio. (Click for larger view.)

And we spent time in the studio, particularly Anne, who stayed at it eight to ten hours a day. I was there much of the time. The togetherness, in the same room with the same pursuit, but separately, is part of the beauty. And beauty is our pursuit, both in art and life.

Symbolic Sanctuary, 10×20, monotype print with gold ink. (Click for larger view.)

With quiet diligence and working on a number of pieces at the same time, Anne’s often not sure if a piece is “finished.” This print, as with all Anne’s work, is the result of repeated layering of color and texture, often incorporating linocuts she has previously made. This work, I’d say, is fit for the garment of a queen. Absolutely regal.

Gracious Garden, 13×25.5 (Click to enlarge.)

She brought to completion some 20 pieces during the roughly 10 days in the studio. Most were already started, just waiting for additional layers–of ink, of thought.

Veiled Vestige, 10×10. (Click to enlarge.)

Here’s a square one. The size of her pieces is determined by the size of her press.  She has two, the smaller of which we take on travels, and those pieces are often the ones she is trying to finish. Click on New Work on her website for many others.

Painting in oils, on “unstretched” canvas.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the studio, the mad painter endeavored to bring his own order out of chaos. That’s “mad” as in highly energetic and inordinately focused, but emotionally at complete peace.

A few of the quick acrylics done in Tucson, framed up as gifts. (Click photo.)

Do you remember this? It’s a sample of the 180 quick paintings I made over a long weekend in Tucson last month. (See last e-gallery.) It was painting all those that inspired me to make larger and more finished works of these beautiful faces.

Blue Earring, oil on canvas, 20×26. (Click to enlarge.)

I’ve long collected images of this sort. There’s no reason to be painting these subjects except that they’re just such beautiful faces, beautiful people. It’s like I’m driven to do it. (Maybe I am mad.) For the recent output, see the pieces marked “New” on the Faces and Figures page of my website.

Serenity, oil on canvas, 20×26, framed in black walnut, from a Tennessee barn.

Bringing the series of paintings to completion, I began thinking about framing. Necessity being always invention’s mother, I remembered my access to reclaimed wood through local friends who scour the country for old barns. It’s what I made our new garage doors with in the photo at the top. (Click photo.)

Our dining room, where we did not dine during our staycation.

Here’s how they look en situ. Granted, our house already has a lot of wood. But I’m thinking this soft, wabi-sabi, naturally distressed look would fit in a lot of places. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Rice Fields Smile, oil on canvas, 20×20.

This is hand work all the way. First the painting, then the frames. One done in the studio, the other in the shop. Each a labor of love.

Messy Hair in Frame, oil on canvas and wood, 22.5×27. (Click to enlarge.)

One more. This is another crazy experiment by the mad painter. In this case I framed a blank canvas and painted outside the lines. Messy hair, messy paint; somehow it fits. All this and much more will be on display at our studio show this weekend. It’s all better “in person,” so come if you can. Details below.

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Current and Upcoming Events

 

SUMMER STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

Some say the entire house is already a work of art.
On these occasions it all becomes a gallery, with art hanging on every available wall, and overflowing into the garage.
Art of every size and a wide variety of subject matter is available.
Some is brand new, and some has been waiting for just the right appreciator.
For the occasion, special prices are marked on many pieces.
Where: 33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California
When: May 31 and June 1, 2014
Saturday, 3:00-9:00
Sunday, 1:00-6:00
See Full Invitation Here

Blank Slate, “Vernon’s Story”

For those of you who know, or have heard of our son-in-law and his motor-scooter encounter with a pick-up truck, it’s been featured in the last two issues of Blank Slate. That’s a separate list. You can see recent posts on this website (above). To subscribe, click here.

Semi-Private Coaching for Painters

For more information, click here.

Printmaking Classes

in Anne Moore studio Call for info, 949-240-4642