Watching The Boats Sail By

I guess I'm going to call this one finished for now. Still on the easel in case I change my mind. Going to take a painting break for a spell. Just sick of it for now. Have plenty of other things to catch up on.

16x20 acrylics on board. Bigger image on my web.

Nearly Done

Just about finished with my latest painting. This one has been a real pain to get finished. Trying to get the right compliment of sky and water to the pelican which is the main subject. I am either over working it or trying too hard to get the right feeling in the painting. Too much work for too little reward. Oh well, life goes on.

Prison of Our Love

This is a pencil drawing (above) I did many years ago when there was a serious problem with starvation in Africa - drought, tribal wars, stupidity, etc. I have never shown it before, except to friends. I believe similar problems are again (or still) happening there.

The title "The Prison Of Our Love" has the four bars which represent the ungodly amount of money that is wasted by governments and religions for unnecessary stupid things. Paying to not grow food, government waste, building fancy churches, useless benevolences, etc. each bar ends with " Yet People Starve". Sell the Churches - sell the Parks - stop government waste - a million things could be done but NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO STARVE.

Painting feathers

Working on a painting with the main subject a pelican. A water scene for background with a couple of sailboats. The tediousness of painting feathers on a bird is incredible. The trick is to first get the form of the bird, which is most important, and then detail the feathers without losing the form. I am using an early sunset background with splashes of color and light which further adds to the tediousness of this painting. I WILL FINISH IT. I f I don't die first.

Great Web Site

Just discovered a GREAT web site for artists. It is called Wet Canvas and is full of blogs and post of all kinds. You can publish your paintings and get comments and critiques from all level of artists. From the very best to beginners. There is also a complete gamut of educational and instructional blogs. If you get "stuck" in the middle of a painting, just start a thread and you will get all kinds of advice - all good. I suggest all you artist visit this site and you will benefit from it.

Painting water

Doing another painting with water and sky. Trying to master the reflective qualities of the water from a multi colored sky can be a real problem (PIA). I know the water is supposed to be a shade or so darker than the sky, but that does not always hold true. the complication arises because a single small wave or ripple will reflect light and color that is both on and off the canvass. This is also complicated by the color of the water (I know water is clear but algae, mud, runoff particles, etc can also influence reflection) that further complicates the situation. Sometimes I wonder why I ever do water scenes. I guess because I like to paint waterfowl - and guess what - they hang out around water;-) Don't forget to visit my web page.

Caylee

Many folks are very upset over the jury's decision on Caylee Anthony. This has nothing to do with art but if you go to Facebook's event "Porch lights on for Caylee Marie Anthony" you will find a bazillion pictures that have been posted. Some could strike emotional reactions and are very artistic. It is probably worth your time to check it out if you have interest in this sort of thing. https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237189926299700

Published

Finally got my latest painting published on my web page - be sure to visit it at  http://jimziemerart.com.
The ship is entering the south fork of the Savannah River in Ga. on a calm, foggy morning. Two of the crew are watching for hazards at the front.

Finished

Finally calling "Tall Ship" painting done. Just have to coat it, post it to web (http://jimziemerart.com), frame it and hang it. I can think about next painting. I think it will be another boat or ship or something.