SWAMP...backstroke.

IF's word is "SWAMP."

This creature does a lazy backstroke.

FIGURE PAINTING

My study in oil; 16 x 20.

This was done over a couple of nights.

I punctured my tube

of cad.' red light and

finished the last night with

the following quick painting.

Same pose in an imaginary setting.

Same size, too.

Figure painting with Leonid Gervits

From the catalog of TSKW:


"Figurative painting is alive and thriving. An artist’s skilled hand and sensitive soul can add to the excitement of a realist painting. Gervits is a world acclaimed painter, honed by deep-rooted European traditions, and known for his mastery of figurative art. Trained at the National Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia, he has shared his classic language of visual expression, providing the highest level of instruction at the Art Students League of New York, since his arrival in the US in 1991. We are honored to have an instructor of this caliber presenting this workshop."

This is my study from the class.

Oil on canvas paper; 8 x 5.5 inches.

I got a kick out of Leonid's appraisals

and critique as he circulated around the ten of us during

the 2.5 hours. He is helpful and nicely blunt.

Model scheduling/snafu but

resident artist cheerfully and professionally

stepped up for the long session.

Finally a decent set up, too, with

model in front of drapery and properly lit.

Looking forward to the next two nights.

The garden today

Strolling around today; these are the old boys on the water.

Bill's attached orchids to the palms.

Other gentlemen attached iguana guards below them.

One of two deer guarding the walk.

More-coddled orchids sheltered by the front door.

The desert roses have really gone to town.

We patrol for caterpillars daily.

These shapes made me fetch my camera.

Color overhead in the palms.

IF: "SHADES"

WHY

are expensive sunglasses held

together by cheap-o

screws

?

Painter.

RED AND SILVER

NICE

things

have been happening.

Here are 23 more from Maggie's garden.

Thank you!

"LIGHT RAIN"

This simple abstract landscape doesn't need anything added.

Acrylic on rag paper.

ROOSTER will not yield...

ROOSTERS

are like mocking birds: singing/crowing

to hold their territories.

This behavior does not adhere

to a solar timetable. In Key West they

hold forth day and night

from sidewalks or roosts.

You might loose sleep

and

remember to put the top up on the convertible.

Here's a play with the color for

Illustration Friday's "YIELD.":

Wind and rain

It had been muggy; we felt something was coming.

Here's the grey wall of wind and rain

coming our way on Sunday.

AUCTION for AIDS HELP in KEY WEST

This little bird has every INTENTION to eat every berry on the branch.

And "intention" is word-o'-the-week on IF's site.

This is a painting I did for the upcoming

22nd Annual AIDS HELP ART AUCTION

SUNDAY, MARCH 18- 2012

at the

CASA MARINA GRAND BALLROOM

1500 Reynolds Street in Key West.

Champagne Preview begins at 4:30 PM

Bidding commences at 6PM.

The painting is titled "THE BEST."

These best-berries are 23 carat gold.

Our auction inspiration this year is seeds or pods and

a celebration theme:

"LIFE BEGINS."

The square panel is rough brushed with

sand in acrylic, with more acrylic on top.

Here's a close up of some of the pattern work.

This annual event is a good way to meet local artists

and sample the visual and tactile talents that make our island community unique.

A big 'thank you' to all the volunteers who put it together!