tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85199738395217160372024-02-19T15:00:08.715-08:00ARTiculations by C.S. PoppengaArt studio works in-progress, art processes, art thoughts. Also some photos of local area and community events of interest.C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-85261438552304832392019-12-26T23:50:00.000-08:002019-12-26T23:50:02.626-08:00Getting the studio back into shapeIt's been four years since I was active in my studio. A lot of different things happened in that interim -- some things difficult to deal with but all was survived (or at least muddled through). The Dec. 17 and 27, 2019 blog posts here show what I've done in the past couple weeks in paper mache while also cleaning/organizing the studio to make suitable space in which to once more create paintings. The paper mache process tends to be somewhat "auto pilot" and that suits my frame of mind at the moment. It allows me to think while my hands are busy. It also means frequent breaks to spend organizing the studio. There's still a lot to do but it's progressing. C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-40299656650251283592019-12-26T23:36:00.000-08:002019-12-26T23:36:04.626-08:00A side project in paper mache - Cat! Of the vessels (or vases, if one wants to use that term instead), which I started making and posted images here on December 17, there are now nine total. Six have nine coats of paper mache applied and three have four coats of paper mache. Layering on all those similar objects was a bit tedious so Christmas day was a nice break away.<br />
Today back to the studio and I decided to work on a funky paper mache cat that I had done as a demo for an art class in Heart Butte. Here it is at the stage it is now in. The photos seem to show it in a different hue tone but that was just how the lighting was striking the surface relative to where I stood with the camera. I like the warmer hue (sort of a yellowy or old newspaper hue.)<br />
I might just finish the mottled application of newsprint paper mache on the few remaining areas that need it and call it done as I rather like how it's looking. I think I'll title it "Daily Mews."<br />
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<br />C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-81312964344618610932019-12-17T00:11:00.000-08:002019-12-17T00:11:40.444-08:00Well, it's about time! (or Long time no post!) So, long time no post! I spent the last four years teaching art full-time at Heart Butte School, which is in the small community of Heart Butte on the Blackfeet Nation Reservation in Montana. I'll do some "catch-up" posts about that experience later but right now I want to post some photos of my current project in the studio. I should be specific by stating "current <i>art</i> project" as there is also the "project" of cleaning and organizing the studio after such an extended hiatus.<br />
I started with clearing out all the things that had accumulated in my studio but had nothing to do with my studio work. Things like all the stuff that didn't sell in my Mom's garage sale when she moved out of her house. Then there was all the stuff that got deposited in my space because someone thought I might/could use it. Newspapers and cardboard were the biggies; I stashed all that in the back room until I would have a chance to make a trip to the local recycle business.<br />
All the sorting, giving away, tossing got pretty monotonous after weeks of it. I came across a paper scrap across which, years ago, I had scribbled the following quote: "Accept the place and time that you're found in and begin where you are." A little light bulb came on. I decided to take a break from the sorting, cleaning, etc. and start making some art even if there was "standing room only" in the studio at the moment. Looking around the crowded space, I decided to get two birds with one stone. I added a caveat to the art making: I would have to use materials already on-hand until said materials were used up.<br />
So I started with tempera paint and paper. I made oodles of monoprints and transfer prints. Then it struck me that the tempera paint wasn't really taking up much space so when it might be all gone, I wasn't going to gain very much square footage back. That in mind, I consolidated all the water-based wall paints I had left over from mural jobs. Thirty-two one-gallon cans were replaced by two five-gallon buckets that stacked. Lots of floor space gained!<br />
Next I eyed the newspaper mountain and stacks of cardboard and cardboard boxes. And that led to the art project I am currently working on. Vessels. Paper Mache vessels. Here are photos showing the in-progress stages so far. There will be four sets of three vessels each (total of 12 vessels.)<br />
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This first photo shows the start of a vessel. I determine what I want the completed vessel/vase profile to look like (factoring in the cylinder -- in this case I'm using empty cardboard oatmeal canisters.) I made this particular profile two inches taller than the cardboard canister by cutting two inches from another canister and attaching it to another canister. That gave me my middle-size vessel.<br />
The canister I took the cut-off from was then attached to another canister for the large-size vessel. For the small vessel I simply used an unmodified canister. Using a template I made, I cut cardboard ribs (30 total for each vase) and hot glued them in place around the canister. <br />
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The second photo (below) shows one of the large vases with all the ribs in place and ready for covering with masking tape. I was tempted to leave one of the vases at this stage, as I find it a beautiful form to look at and enjoy how light plays across it. </div>
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In this next photo I have placed all three vase sizes together. The small vase is to the left of the large one (center) and already has several layers of paper mache on it. </div>
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Here is a photo (below) of one of the large vases with the masking tape, ready to put the first layer of paper mache on it. </div>
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Photo (below) shows the small vase with just a couple layers of paper mache on it. The cardboard ribs are still visible through the paper mache. It's a nice effect that will not disappear until I apply the final layer of paper mache. </div>
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<br />C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-57457839688911861902013-02-03T01:43:00.000-08:002013-02-03T01:43:17.570-08:00"Wilson's Bed of Roses" - a painting in-progress<span style="font-size: large;">Again, it<span style="font-size: large;"> has been a while since I last posted <span style="font-size: large;">here. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been posting more on my <span style="font-size: large;">Facebook business page<span style="font-size: large;"> but I've wondered if I should be posting parallel entries here.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I also have a regular website that I'm updating, and <span style="font-size: large;">I'm going <span style="font-size: large;">into my third year with a shop on Etsy</span></span>.<span style="font-size: large;"> For now, anyone wan<span style="font-size: large;">ting to see my <span style="font-size: large;">most r<span style="font-size: large;">ecent<span style="font-size: large;"> painting activit<span style="font-size: large;">y might want to check out my Facebook business pag<span style="font-size: large;">e at</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://facebook.com/PoppengaArtStudio">facebook.com/PoppengaArtStudio</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Things have been super busy in the s<span style="font-size: large;">tudio with <span style="font-size: large;">several oil paintings approaching finish. And when I'm not in the studio or researching/writing <span style="font-size: large;">prop<span style="font-size: large;">osals for pu<span style="font-size: large;">blic art projects</span></span></span>, I'm teaching art once a month at each of several rural schools here in <span style="font-size: large;">ce<span style="font-size: large;">ntral Monta<span style="font-size: large;">na</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the<span style="font-size: large;"> la<span style="font-size: large;">test work in-progress<span style="font-size: large;"> (<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday evening<span style="font-size: large;">'s studio <span style="font-size: large;">session<span style="font-size: large;">.<span style="font-size: large;">) I've titled it "Wilson's Rose Bed<span style="font-size: large;">" for the cat who<span style="font-size: large;"> inspired this. Wilson is an older cat <span style="font-size: large;">who is missing his left fr<span style="font-size: large;">ont<span style="font-size: large;"> leg --<span style="font-size: large;"> making him a special needs feline when it comes to adoption.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The painting is not yet finished (no whiskers and a few other details yet to come) but is at a stage that I'd like to share<span style="font-size: large;">. First photo <span style="font-size: large;">is the entire work thus far (it is oil on stretched canvas, 16 x 18 <span style="font-size: large;">inches.) The four photos after <span style="font-size: large;">are details<span style="font-size: large;">. Click on <span style="font-size: large;">photos to see larger v<span style="font-size: large;">ersion. Enjoy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Above) The fabric Wilson is sitting on <span style="font-size: large;">(and the rose he "h<span style="font-size: large;">olds") is invented at the easel. I feel like this <span style="font-size: large;">could be a bed with the blanke<span style="font-size: large;">ts turned down and this is a flower print sheet<span style="font-size: large;"> - his "<span style="font-size: large;">rose be<span style="font-size: large;">d<span style="font-size: large;">."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">(A<span style="font-size: large;">bove & Below) </span>I b<span style="font-size: large;">uilt up multiple layer</span></span>s of paint <span style="font-size: large;">over several weeks<span style="font-size: large;"> (</span>months</span>, really, since I usually have several wo<span style="font-size: large;">rks in-progre<span style="font-size: large;">ss at any given time, so the rotation through<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">can take weeks) The effect <span style="font-size: large;">approaches capturing <span style="font-size: large;">atmosphere/light and is<span style="font-size: large;"> especially evident <span style="font-size: large;">aroun<span style="font-size: large;">d Wilson's <span style="font-size: large;">ears.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Below) I enjoy making details in a work by<span style="font-size: large;"> pulling on my memory of various objects, in this case a simple single rose.</span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eyes are my favorite part of any<span style="font-size: large;"> portrait (<span style="font-size: large;">animals and people too) and <span style="font-size: large;">Wilson's eyes are compelling enough<span style="font-size: large;"> to make you almost not notice that I've yet to ad<span style="font-size: large;">d <span style="font-size: large;">his whiskers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My last post, immediately prior to thi<span style="font-size: large;">s one, was in Januar<span style="font-size: large;">y. To <span style="font-size: large;">access it, </span></span>click 2013/January in the Blog Archive in the <span style="font-size: large;">right column on t<span style="font-size: large;">his page to view Clark Kent Super Kitty or click this word: <a href="http://poppenga.blogspot.com/2013/01/clark-kent-super-kitty.html">C<span style="font-size: large;">lark</span></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-61599014109902778132013-01-10T04:13:00.001-08:002013-01-10T04:13:37.919-08:00Clark Kent - Super KittyIt's been a while since my last post here -- which means I've been busy in the studio. One of my special projects is the subject of this post: A handsome orange tabby named Clark Kent. He is a rescued cat from the streets of Philadelphia, where he'd been tossed and left to die in a miserable and painful state. Nursed back to as good a health as possible, he now lives in a loving home where he'll be well cared for by his human "mom." I read about him on Modern Cat Magazine's online Cover Cat Contest (and have been voting for him as much as possible.) From the information/comments on Modern Cat, I read the articles about his rescue and then also discovered he has a Facebook page too! I'll put links at the end of this post for those who want to know more about Clark Kent (nicknamed Clark.)<br />
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Clark's story reminded me of an incident I experienced as a small child, visiting Philadelphia with my parents. Sitting in the car, waiting for my parents to return and watching the pouring rain. I spotted a very wet and distressed orange tabby near the curb. It was all balled up on itself, the way cats do when they are trying very hard to not get wet and have no shelter to go to. As I watched, a youth and two adults passed by and the youth kicked the cat. The adults were either oblivious or didn't care, and the three continued on until they were out of sight. For days I found myself thinking about that orange cat and how I would have let it snuggle on my warm bed and each time my eyes welled up with tears but I couldn't tell my parents why--or maybe they simply didn't understand. Well, that was a long time ago, but it seemed not so distant when I looked at the photos of Clark and read his story, another orange tabby in Philadelphia.<br />
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I decided to paint a portrait of Clark. It's oil on birch panel, 19 1/2 inches high by 21 1/2 inches wide. I haven't titled it yet, though I rather like something along the lines of "Urban Cat and Mouse." I worked towards achieving a "folk art" feel about it because it seems to connect better to the childhood incident I mentioned in the previous paragraph; something not so polished but more sincere and true to the basic feelings involved.<br />
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As soon as this painting is dry enough to ship safely, it will find it's home with Clark. I hope Clark approves.<br />
Click on the photos below to see a larger version of each. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCtOqL3vj5qYdnujrmhtQXJjGZtFZ-FXMrkEtj0XX_hyphenhyphen64BJjUZZkqX-AkA3rsYAhBM3mTOLaN-rj7vosCa1LZFgVpTk-OxN-PlVY6W4wMHAEyF5zDB2tgQfNnDOEimnAqRplXxlnlBQ/s1600/Clark+Kent+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCtOqL3vj5qYdnujrmhtQXJjGZtFZ-FXMrkEtj0XX_hyphenhyphen64BJjUZZkqX-AkA3rsYAhBM3mTOLaN-rj7vosCa1LZFgVpTk-OxN-PlVY6W4wMHAEyF5zDB2tgQfNnDOEimnAqRplXxlnlBQ/s400/Clark+Kent+Finish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Below: Close-up -- I enjoy painting eyes and especially cat eyes. In this close-up you can see the sketchy quality of line I used to define the darker reddish tones in the fur.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuhXYau93HAr6wQ_GoWYWh1dCcxeaJSGtva0SS6sUmaZu7TKhTgNYCE2vIkurDrV2Se1VXOpNLmtv0kGoxAoLVHRtiRPS_7iLQEopIHEWxQr2c2zIcly474J-m2az6NFOjWO3fg1aELI/s1600/Clark+Kent+Finish+DETAIL+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuhXYau93HAr6wQ_GoWYWh1dCcxeaJSGtva0SS6sUmaZu7TKhTgNYCE2vIkurDrV2Se1VXOpNLmtv0kGoxAoLVHRtiRPS_7iLQEopIHEWxQr2c2zIcly474J-m2az6NFOjWO3fg1aELI/s400/Clark+Kent+Finish+DETAIL+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Below: The mouse. One of the photos of Clark on his Facebook page shows him playing with a toy mouse (or at least that's what it looks like -- sometimes it's hard to tell what some cat toys are "suppose" to be.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFpTlGs2AFkHh4BoMm9Ip3DAIXB_g9kjmMK2Z5TYzje7_q2Gp7lsPNETDY0jwksThJd7Vkt1_KyySUbHTljjR0Pd7IkWp53FBeVjxVBhCocSUYL3cUeDI8yPhyvrS9mlzSAM9tLf_Xak/s1600/Clark+Kent+Finish+DETAIL+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFpTlGs2AFkHh4BoMm9Ip3DAIXB_g9kjmMK2Z5TYzje7_q2Gp7lsPNETDY0jwksThJd7Vkt1_KyySUbHTljjR0Pd7IkWp53FBeVjxVBhCocSUYL3cUeDI8yPhyvrS9mlzSAM9tLf_Xak/s400/Clark+Kent+Finish+DETAIL+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Below: Another detail section showing the sketchy quality of brush strokes in a linear way to suggest the type of fur Clark has.<br />
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Here are the links to Clark's information at <a href="http://www.moderncat.com/cover-contest-entry/clark-kent">Modern Cat cover cat contest</a> and the article about his <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/Clark-Kent-needs-superkitty-strength-to-survive-ordeal.html">Rescue</a> and his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clark-Kent-Superkitty/267961259976892">Facebook page</a>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-15809701569778849142012-12-14T19:31:00.000-08:002012-12-15T21:51:04.005-08:00Bike Racks, Bench for Lewiston, IdahoWell, it has been way too long between posts here on the blog! I've been trying to establish a business presence on Etsy and also on Facebook. Visitor numbers and sales will tell if all the time and effort has been worth it or not, but it's still too soon to say.<br />
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Meanwhile, I've been busy with several other studio projects, including a bicycle racks and bench project for the City of Lewiston, Idaho. Below are photos of the two finished bicycle racks. It was nice to have a client who was willing to have the racks coated in colors other than black.<br />
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While the design concepts are mine, fabrication was accomplished by Warden Bourne of Lewistown, MT (EastMont Productions). Besides being a fine welder, Warden also provides input and modifications to the designs during the fabrication process, improving on the functionality of the final product. The finish coating on the "Huge&Kisses" rack and the bench (shown here before receiving its finish coat) is by Shane Ruckman (of Lewistown.) The powder-coat finish on the "Waving Wheat" rack is by HCR Inc. (also of Lewistown.)<br />
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This cherry red bike rack is titled "Hugs & Kisses" and offers several configurations for bicycles to be locked securely while providing support for the frame of the bicycle. Fabricated in half-inch steel, it's finished with a tough industrial polyurethane coating that's lightly textured, feels good to the touch and will not mar the surfaces of parked bicycles. It parks two to four bikes.<br />
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This "Waving Wheat" bicycle rack is designed to park two bikes, but bikes can be paired two to a side, for a total of four. Like the "Hugs&Kisses" rack, it provides several configurations for securing parked bicycles. Fabricated of steel and powder-coated in a golden yellow hue.<br />
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The bench is shown here prior to receiving its finish coating of industrial polyurethane. The utility lids will be masked off during the finish coating application. Utility lids are often quite beautiful in their design and the unique patina they develop over time from weather and vehicles driving over them daily. These lids are from the City of Lewistown, Idaho and are now permanently part of this bench. I should note that prior to this bench, I had no idea how heavy utility lids are. With the slab of this bench being half-inch steel and the insets of cast iron lids that weigh up to three times the weight of the circle of steel that was cut out to accommodate the lids, it's safe to say that this bench won't be blown away or be carried off.<br />
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Here's another view that, in the low early evening light of the fabrication shop. I really like the way the wavy edge catches the light and casts a gently rolling shadow beneath.<br />
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<br />C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-25952508045129458662012-03-04T23:44:00.000-08:002012-03-04T23:52:53.114-08:00The Owl & The PussycatHard to believe that it has been over a month since I last posted an entry here. I've been way too busy with the work I do as a visiting artist in the rural schools here in central Montana. I also had several things to do at the studio, including trying to re-create some work that was damaged beyond repair by the studio cat. I resisted "damaging" the cat and tossing her outside. What she did and the resulting mess is best described as the "cat attack" and any further explanation is another post, which will have to wait until sometime after I'm through being angry over it. <br />
But on a happier note, the cat-created mess led me to rearrange, reorganize my studio space and that has proved to be a good thing. To keep this post on the upbeat, I'm including an oil sketch for a painting that will take form sometime after I recreate the ones destroyed by the cat attack. This is a fun take on the Edward Lear poem "The Owl and The Pussycat" blended with Grant Wood's famous painting "American Gothic." I'd title my work "The Own and The Pussycat at Home on the Farm" or something to that effect. This oil sketch is about 8 x 11 inches<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtQjpRcf4hXerUaLDFDh67f2zwhboxghTKP55J6SsscZUKAM5eud3mPfWtYkG9i3ikTvpKOxr_dBjmL8fKgb9id8lrYja0nX3SvtUF6ILuSBjsGGVz8NtkADwILI_DiL6GYox1UP0N00/s1600/Owl+&+Pussycat+oil+sketch1+DETAIL+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtQjpRcf4hXerUaLDFDh67f2zwhboxghTKP55J6SsscZUKAM5eud3mPfWtYkG9i3ikTvpKOxr_dBjmL8fKgb9id8lrYja0nX3SvtUF6ILuSBjsGGVz8NtkADwILI_DiL6GYox1UP0N00/s320/Owl+&+Pussycat+oil+sketch1+DETAIL+2.jpg" uda="true" width="208" /></a></div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-41453209106447062652012-01-28T00:18:00.000-08:002012-01-28T00:26:07.338-08:00So, how much snow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVip34DHCJZ8IFD3qxrOS50O8E7-344Fkd07O1hQBPHzqj_namg_TYsqDAylD7amP9nnLjIO7sN74iQqau_eXna2HzsZO5htgZ_J8mqdm38ZS5xjLwYquSCAMSsFlzkoL9DTBT3EaQVE/s1600/0-JawbonelocomotivesstuckincutJud_McNulty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVip34DHCJZ8IFD3qxrOS50O8E7-344Fkd07O1hQBPHzqj_namg_TYsqDAylD7amP9nnLjIO7sN74iQqau_eXna2HzsZO5htgZ_J8mqdm38ZS5xjLwYquSCAMSsFlzkoL9DTBT3EaQVE/s400/0-JawbonelocomotivesstuckincutJud_McNulty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some years are big on snow. Some are not. And 1909 was pretty big. Here's an interesting photo I came across that shows a steam locomotive "stuck real good" in the winter of 1909. It is located somewhere along the run between Lewistown and Buffalo-Judith Gap area (immediately west of Lewistown.) In 1994, when I was the Home & Family Editor of the Lewistown News Argus, I interviewed Red Hanley. Red had worked as an engineer and he told me an interesting story about how he got a steam locomotive stuck in snow along the same run as in the photo. But, unlike this train, Red's was pushing a weighted boxcar with a plow in front instead of just a plow. As I recall, he told me he'd been advised to "give it as much speed as possible" --- he did and the train went pow! right into the snow drift---in, in, in, in, ...in...........in.............in............in.......and then it stopped. It was buried at least as deep as the one in this photo, or maybe more.</div>
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</div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-27933559756528956412012-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:002012-01-23T21:32:00.898-08:00Aaaah! The drive home after a day's work. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw0ULF7FfEijxZ0xuBBTrd3BQSJmRqLYLvulEuI-1XvJj503YY4dN2dnMK1rh7SPDCyAqMPxrZ56Rf7vqYGz1iccYh9di6j4Cnp4HxOeUCY4LFCgP4LTfXFJumGqJdKQG9QRoUH4EtnA/s1600/23Jan2012+Road+Home+to+Big+Snowies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw0ULF7FfEijxZ0xuBBTrd3BQSJmRqLYLvulEuI-1XvJj503YY4dN2dnMK1rh7SPDCyAqMPxrZ56Rf7vqYGz1iccYh9di6j4Cnp4HxOeUCY4LFCgP4LTfXFJumGqJdKQG9QRoUH4EtnA/s400/23Jan2012+Road+Home+to+Big+Snowies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the last ten miles before Lewistown (photo above.) Actually, less than ten at this point. It is one of my favorite "road views" The Big Snowies are on the horizon, the road is bare and dry. The usual amount of "quitin' time" traffic and a freshly brewed (in the car) cup of ginger/lemon tea on the console.<br />
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Another photo (below) of today's drive home, taken just at the top of the Arrow Creek Canyon (with, at that point, more than half the drive remaining.) I almost always stop at this field entrance to take photos of the Highwood Mountains and Square Butte, but today I turned the camera to the southwest and captured the late afternoon winter sun and the Big Belt Mountains on the horizon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnB3_wziqovb3vOmvfiJV4jwvsx9gnuCaMAWuGuyKrBjIjQVCcavCYzQsUkxb9U8xGSxryMzc65b4Ni7X-WRBNXTueZIAIMEShXq8GF-U6FiOYtAjf6juXMxIu0F4IiYNMP3Ikt-RsY/s1600/23JAN2012+View+to+Big+Belts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnB3_wziqovb3vOmvfiJV4jwvsx9gnuCaMAWuGuyKrBjIjQVCcavCYzQsUkxb9U8xGSxryMzc65b4Ni7X-WRBNXTueZIAIMEShXq8GF-U6FiOYtAjf6juXMxIu0F4IiYNMP3Ikt-RsY/s400/23JAN2012+View+to+Big+Belts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over most of the climb up Arrow Creek Canyon, I got to share the road with some big boys coming down (photo below.) Perhaps a half dozen of these rigs and their multiple advance and rear guard vehicles passed me. I didn't get a very good look at what they were hauling except that all carried an identical load. Perhaps it is something headed for the Canada oil fields. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyv7i-zKoplfLS3UbgEPe0gKhFts8pjuPfBlecdETrdlmzBzQXrnZ-bm9k1c1g90L5Fsp22af7PYvyupfzBh8bNWaRqDWlZqnRuN2_KW14RXtk1b7KGpJokAEQUqCc3r8ZJzd5zgrlHg/s1600/23JAN2012+SharingRoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyv7i-zKoplfLS3UbgEPe0gKhFts8pjuPfBlecdETrdlmzBzQXrnZ-bm9k1c1g90L5Fsp22af7PYvyupfzBh8bNWaRqDWlZqnRuN2_KW14RXtk1b7KGpJokAEQUqCc3r8ZJzd5zgrlHg/s400/23JAN2012+SharingRoad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY5HHxDmJ7P1Q2gjmFrI5KH_gfgtA5kijwQsNdVt4Ccqg56fn7BMtro-5Kv2Q3lG0oMMMiEMSwDvDsT2QgvdsOur9Ff5jyel_qZeUycRye712gnrMHP-i-MBIF0Uai19zxe40Mc_hK4U/s1600/23JAN2012+Pheasant+Attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY5HHxDmJ7P1Q2gjmFrI5KH_gfgtA5kijwQsNdVt4Ccqg56fn7BMtro-5Kv2Q3lG0oMMMiEMSwDvDsT2QgvdsOur9Ff5jyel_qZeUycRye712gnrMHP-i-MBIF0Uai19zxe40Mc_hK4U/s320/23JAN2012+Pheasant+Attack.jpg" width="225" /></a>And today's drive was not entirely all peaceful and idylic. On the morning leg, a large cock ringneck pheasant made a bad decision and the jeep's passenger side mirror caught the bird. It sounded like something far larger than the bird hit. Had I not seen the pheasant, I would have thought a deer had run into the side of the vehicle. What a loud bang! I was doing 65 mpg. The mirror is designed to "give" and that's exactly what it did (which is cool for this is a 1996 jeep.) The mirror and its housing and manual cable controls were undamaged. Only one little piece on the part mounted to the door actually broke. With that and some assembly, it will be as good as "new" (which is to say, as new as a nearly 20 year old vehicle can be.) </div>
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<br />C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-82868605744401923232012-01-12T19:06:00.000-08:002012-01-12T19:06:27.790-08:00Long Thin Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkPNBzyfpZjyBBtDEJg1r9nLQD4-5AG6oNhd4bOSnP1wc9hJiaoCmugzObpr-Z71R0rYevJ0hJ-WypfvzvDwfopslR81J5yuWvQum9Dsyl7icHJpMrD6Xn8RbE7hqHPOTHdzPQKbkgsw/s1600/Eastward+from+Stanford+Jan2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkPNBzyfpZjyBBtDEJg1r9nLQD4-5AG6oNhd4bOSnP1wc9hJiaoCmugzObpr-Z71R0rYevJ0hJ-WypfvzvDwfopslR81J5yuWvQum9Dsyl7icHJpMrD6Xn8RbE7hqHPOTHdzPQKbkgsw/s400/Eastward+from+Stanford+Jan2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr. Lightfoot (Gordon ta dem dat know's 'im) may sing about the "Long Thin Dawn" but here's one for a long thin <em>road</em>. This windshield view is heading east to Lewistown. I'd spent the day, first at Surprise Creek Hutterite Colony and then at Geyser School, teaching art. This photo (above) was taken on the fly somewhere just east of Stanford (No, I don't know what mile marker it was---gotta keep my eye on the road, ya know!) I've long liked this stretch of blacktop. It's one of the few places to have two lanes in the uphill (west-bound) lane. See all the traffic? And it's rush hour too!<br />
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This next photo was taken just a little bit farther down the road but before Moccasin. I had to stop and get out for this one. (click on any of the photos for a larger view.) I like the way sunset turns snow to pink on the east horzon. The mountains in this photo are the Big Snowies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ3LcW22aMB8KEXcKVdrRKCCZ-yn0nsSsovqW7uOTPOZACKaWp5GCJ2il940UOaA5WroqS12GS1qeBEwKaWycBgNR5-D2NwMXbs3iUqAjsT38XVcmPG7JlM5BJmhTdxeY6RbiLFls0os/s1600/January+2012+sunset+pink+on+Snowies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ3LcW22aMB8KEXcKVdrRKCCZ-yn0nsSsovqW7uOTPOZACKaWp5GCJ2il940UOaA5WroqS12GS1qeBEwKaWycBgNR5-D2NwMXbs3iUqAjsT38XVcmPG7JlM5BJmhTdxeY6RbiLFls0os/s400/January+2012+sunset+pink+on+Snowies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And for the grand finale, one last view of the setting sun. I'm not skilled at sideview mirror photography, so this was a stop too.) This is looking west, as the sun sets behind the Belt Mountains.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClH9tfUpmy83z-aOA-08NEDN4Uf_BF21hMx8LZUD6aLKhCvNRdvHmwEMO15IHYohnU18mrwFyojk8isPphfRGPMSL1oSnzV-OAogrTei9chR77Z-ehc_aIZkKz2EEHWILmAuNPdGdIs/s1600/January+2012+sunset+over+the+Belts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClH9tfUpmy83z-aOA-08NEDN4Uf_BF21hMx8LZUD6aLKhCvNRdvHmwEMO15IHYohnU18mrwFyojk8isPphfRGPMSL1oSnzV-OAogrTei9chR77Z-ehc_aIZkKz2EEHWILmAuNPdGdIs/s400/January+2012+sunset+over+the+Belts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope you enjoy the views! The land and skyscapes are what keep the drive fresh every time, no matter how many times I've traveled the route before---it is always "new again."</div>
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</div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-86881608269442024832012-01-06T00:37:00.000-08:002012-01-06T08:51:19.662-08:00War Horse ReservoirIt has been so warm the past several days (60 degrees F yesterday) that a drive was in order today. Bright blue skies and warm sunshine in January -- how could it be any better?<br />
The end destination for the drive was a reservoir named War Horse northeast of the town of Grass Range. Grass Range is 30 miles east of Lewistown, so War Horse Reservoir is about 45 to 50 miles from where I live. Once you leave the black top just east of Grass Range a very good gravel road takes you north as it arcs slowly back to the west while also heading north. A rougher (but very passable) two-track road takes off into the wind beaten ponderosa pines and eventually leads to the south shore of the reservoir. The clusters of pines are a shale forest and in places on the forest floor a fine shale "soil" is visible. It is an area of critical environmental concern by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) because of the unique plant community.<br />
The photo below is taken from the road on the south shore looking west. The edge of the reservoir is visible to the far right. The Judith Mountains, with Black Butte on the far right of the string are on the horizon.<br />
(click photos to view larger)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMNzPXMLYq6EcFjwkL2Lu4xW4mY7yJRUZjyxFY-0IQ1R9jklePrR8cTvgLDwt-h-Y-QoutJ8dSWDuOJcRI3ksvCqsrvIx9aP337VOrhNeJV4wo7itMt7LeYapC5RgpuxyavVbxl_N-es/s1600/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir+retrace+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMNzPXMLYq6EcFjwkL2Lu4xW4mY7yJRUZjyxFY-0IQ1R9jklePrR8cTvgLDwt-h-Y-QoutJ8dSWDuOJcRI3ksvCqsrvIx9aP337VOrhNeJV4wo7itMt7LeYapC5RgpuxyavVbxl_N-es/s400/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir+retrace+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This next photo shows the good gravel road at the point where the two-track takes off (that would be to the right of where I stood to shoot this photo.) I love how roads can seem to have no end in the vastness of the central Montana prairie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsRKApuup9ZwEBRVlFDIcgs5JMAy0yJCTPVLSdpsM6wAelibllwN45siksp1zdmMEWNv60cnv1S3w68op75-IRuBLafEKjDrYiY6CMNvvqruOmvDqVIYwfIY5-YtGbpHKem87603gVY/s1600/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsRKApuup9ZwEBRVlFDIcgs5JMAy0yJCTPVLSdpsM6wAelibllwN45siksp1zdmMEWNv60cnv1S3w68op75-IRuBLafEKjDrYiY6CMNvvqruOmvDqVIYwfIY5-YtGbpHKem87603gVY/s400/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Driving down the road shown in the previous photo, the creek that feeds the reservoir crosses. I was surprised at its size for this time of year, but considering how large War Horse Reservoir is, this creek must carry a lot of water year round.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-Crws1jnNtx6cKLzk3oDn06oOjIah80VwVyJaGH88gKa98UUI87clTUsHubh7V4_QugcvrmgEWbWhNAvyr1hBgg6rs7Kh5bbEnqEupJ4N-zL53bbkNPDOiEqJ4iHZH4UXMpcHoWrwLY/s1600/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir+income+creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-Crws1jnNtx6cKLzk3oDn06oOjIah80VwVyJaGH88gKa98UUI87clTUsHubh7V4_QugcvrmgEWbWhNAvyr1hBgg6rs7Kh5bbEnqEupJ4N-zL53bbkNPDOiEqJ4iHZH4UXMpcHoWrwLY/s400/5JAN2012+near+War+Horse+Reservoir+income+creek.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The following photo is prairie, prairie, prairie -- with the Judith Mountains in the distance to the west.<br />
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The next photo is a view farther down the road from the previous photo but looking south. In the distance are the Big Snowy Mountains (also referred to locally as the Big Snowies or, simply, the Snowies) The dished in middle of the Snowies' skyline is Half Moon Canyon.<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the photos! Your questions or comments are welcome and I will try to respond to questions within a day or two.<br />
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<br />C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-57480172213583309472011-12-31T17:31:00.000-08:002011-12-31T17:48:52.199-08:00100th item listed in Etsy Shop, 100th Blog post entry!Hooray! I am closing the year 2011 with 100 works of art for sale at my Etsy Shop! I just posted item number 100 a few minutes ago. And, if that isn't cool enough on its own, <em>this</em> right here is my 95th Blog Post Entry! <br />
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Below is a sampling of some of the works at my Etsy Shop. Click on individual images to go directly to those specific listings or click the link directly below the block of images to go the home page of my Etsy Shop. Please visit and "walk around" my Etsy Shop to see the variety of art I've listed. <br />
Who knows? Maybe <em>you</em> will find and purchase the first work of art in the new year!<br />
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<script src="http://www.etsy.com/assets/js/etsy_mini_shop.js" type="text/javascript">
</script><script type="text/javascript">
new Etsy.Mini(6119407,'thumbnail',5,5,0,'http://www.etsy.com');
</script>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-83689082113392296052011-12-22T19:00:00.001-08:002011-12-24T02:01:30.021-08:00Kitchen Lithography once againWow! It's been over a month since I first posted my results from a try at "kitchen lithography" (November 17th blog post, if you want to review it.) I've been busy with monotype printing -- teaching it at all the rural schools and Hutterite Colonies that I work with as a visiting artist once a month. The students had a good time with the monotype process, but I still have hopes of presenting a kitchen lithography session. So today I revisited kitchen lithography.<br />
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The first litho did not turn out as it should have but I think I may be onto something that I noticed during the pouring of the soda over the plate. I talk a bit about it in the first video (posted below.) For anyone who does not have speakers on their computer (like I don't), basically I'm pointing out in the video a pattern that matched the pattern of flow the soda took on the initial pouring over the plate. The effect seems to be that the soda "over etched" and also may be eating out under the litho pencil marks. The pattern was in exactly the pattern the soda took on the initial flow over the plate. Hmmm.<br />
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NOTE: I had to post both videos onto facebook because they wouldn't load onto this blog host. Hope that doesn't create any problems for viewers.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150483491744349#!/video/video.php?v=10150483523749349">https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150483491744349#!/video/video.php?v=10150483523749349</a></div>
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In the second video, you see the plate being inked for my fifth print pull. I clean the plate between prints, using a little bit of vegetible oil and a soft cloth. I don't know if that's really necessary, but it does help me see the "print" areas (what the ink will be sticking to) on the plate. I like being able to see the quality of the lines and what marks are where. For example, there was a stray mark in the cat's right eye and during the first "roll up" with ink, I pushed the ink around that spot quite a bit with the sponge before I realized it was in fact a part of my original litho pencil drawing on the aluminum. Successive roll-ups reveal more and more of the actual drawing and I get a better feel for when the ink coverag is complete. </div>
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This second video is a bit longer. I haven't been able to get my video editing software to function quite right (yet.) In the beginning of the video you'll see that the image appears when I start the inking and then I essentially wipe it off. Well, actually I don't wipe it off; It only appears that way in the video. What I did was to wipe enough off so that I can see the "drawing" and how it is taking the ink. I've found that it helps me spot potential problem areas where I might need to not wipe so much or maybe need to deposit more or less ink with the brayer/roller.</div>
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And here (next link below) is the last part of the preceding video. In this one I run the etched/inked aluminum plate through the etching press. I had the camera mounted on a tripod that in turn sat on the end of the tables that hold the press and provide the space to ink the plate (previous video.) Maybe I can get someone to operate the camera next time and so get a better view of the whole process.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=598509348&ref=tn_tnmn#!/video/video.php?v=10150484090474349&notif_t=video_processed">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=598509348&ref=tn_tnmn#!/video/video.php?v=10150484090474349&notif_t=video_processed</a>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-85114089069006469662011-12-22T01:33:00.000-08:002011-12-22T01:33:47.388-08:00All That JazzReorganizing the studio is a good time to say good-bye to "old friends" -- paintings that date back a ways and for various reasons remained in the studio, through several re-locations and several years. "All That Jazz" is one of those works. Time for it to find a new home where it can be displayed rather than tucked away in my studio storage. <br />
"All That Jazz" was painted in 1988. I was studying anatomy at the (then) Alberta College Of Art (in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.) I supplemented my in-class live model sessions with visits to Calgary's various live theaters to sketch/draw during performance rehearsals. "All That Jazz" captures one of those performances where singer and musician seem to intertwine and boundaries between them (and the audience) become fluid until everything is in the moment.<br />
The painting was done on stretched canvas. To protect the work from damage, I unstretched it and kept it in a flat file for a number of years. Recently I decided to mat it flat rather than restretch it. It is currently listed for sale at my etsy store at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89090029/blues-jazz-singer-saxaphone-is-subject">http://www.etsy.com/listing/89090029/blues-jazz-singer-saxaphone-is-subject</a><br />
Here is "All That Jazz" and some close-up detail photos (click photos for larger images):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonOmR7O5Ti2okVkznOG7cwm__V5fl2YipTuV_0zq28pIwF2FJFMrdg71ee-tZ3z7ohU0da_ExWMWpt41ASQD6DqNVMDGVbYvzscdL9EVpiF_L2Se_r8HY12sGXpF25c9Olh6sHMcEVqM/s1600/All+That+Jazz+DETAIL+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonOmR7O5Ti2okVkznOG7cwm__V5fl2YipTuV_0zq28pIwF2FJFMrdg71ee-tZ3z7ohU0da_ExWMWpt41ASQD6DqNVMDGVbYvzscdL9EVpiF_L2Se_r8HY12sGXpF25c9Olh6sHMcEVqM/s320/All+That+Jazz+DETAIL+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even after the interim of 23 years, I still find this to be a good work. (Wow! almost a quarter century! Does that make this a vintage work?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should note here also that this painting served me as a reference for a portion of a mural commissioned by Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. You can see that mural at my web site at: <a href="http://www.poppenga.com/ReidCampusCenterMural.html">http://www.poppenga.com/ReidCampusCenterMural.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-77900790127290153722011-12-19T23:29:00.000-08:002011-12-19T23:35:52.317-08:00War HorseWish this stage production would come to a theater close enough to be able to go see it. There's a movie version set to be released around Christmas, but somehow film just never quite compares to live theater. The horse costumes are fantastic and are both spell-binding and uncanny. A great stage performance causes the audience to suspend reality and within a few short minutes, the horse costumes become living breathing beings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlCmQ8n7jP5UWBwJ0fGd7U9vvX9awoHCWCeFKSP80CyKXetCyReQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" oda="true" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlCmQ8n7jP5UWBwJ0fGd7U9vvX9awoHCWCeFKSP80CyKXetCyReQ" width="400" /></a></div>Watch a video of segments of the theater performance at this link:<br />
<a href="http://www.lct.org/mediaPlayer.htm?id=59">http://www.lct.org/mediaPlayer.htm?id=59</a>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-32484654688565621572011-12-17T09:59:00.000-08:002011-12-17T09:59:09.800-08:00BLUE PENGUINS IN SWEATERSWhile at the studio last evening, I listened to an interesting radio discussion about the origins of some of the icons of the Christmas holiday season. It was a compelling enough program that I decided to stay to hear it all (I don't have a functioning radio in my vehicle, so I'd have missed a bunch of the program while driving home.) <br />
The topic set off a bunch of images in my brain and at some point the little Blue Penguins (also called Fairy Penguins) of New Zealand came to mind. The penguins have been in the news lately because of a tanker spill that threatens their immediate survival. There's been a world-wide call for volunteers to knit or crochet sleeve-less "sweaters" for the rescued penguins. The sweaters cover the penquins body from neck to feet. They look pretty cute waddling around in their recovery cages after they've been all cleaned up as best as possible. The sweaters prevent the birds from preening and ingesting any left over oils, but also keep them warm until the full insulating quality of their feathers is restored.<br />
I still had some paints out from my previous monotype session and decided to make a few whimsical penguin prints. Here is one from the session plus a couple detail close-ups (click the images to see larger):<br />
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And here is a link to a video of the penguins being being cleaned and then shows some pics of them in their sweaters. The video also shows some other kinds of penguins which are very large compared to the Blue Penguin. Notice the size of the sweaters when a woman in the video is holding one; and the tiny sweater covers the whole body of the bird.<br />
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The penguins don't look very blue in the video because they have so much oil staining. Here's a video of what their plummage normally looks like:<br />
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</div>As for my penguin monotypes, I had fun and am thinking maybe I should pursue this a bit more. Maybe polish the image a bit, try some different poses and see if I should push it to something more realistic or stay with a bit of whimsy.C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-84234161552368024332011-12-09T18:42:00.000-08:002013-01-13T14:01:56.084-08:00YEE HA! Pronghorns at a run!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was clear sky, gusty wind and sunny, though not much above freezing (high for the day was 36 degrees Fahrenheit.) Perfect for a drive over some local gravel roads, as the surface is frozen. </div>
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Just northeast of town About 35 miles northeast of town (less by air) was a large herd of Pronghorn Antelope. Filming from the vehicle, I "captured" about half the herd on video. They were really flying! The truck was moving at about 40 mph. The second video below is of the group that split to the right at the end of the first video. Estimate there were at least 200 antelope in this herd.</div>
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Typical of camera work, objects (in this case the antelope) always look farther away than they actually were. Still, the video is a nice treasure to remember the day.</div>
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Give the video sufficient time to load. Enjoy! (P.S.--lick on the start arrow at the bottom of each video. If the video blocks below are black, refresh the page from your tool bar (refresh is the little circle arrow at the right of the address line at the top of your window/screen.)</div>
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C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-48345444994469045472011-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:002014-03-13T18:41:20.046-07:00Cats Again! This time with monotype processIt's been a couple weeks at least since my last post. Using as much of my time as possible in the studio, I decided to make some monotypes. It was a good diversion from the aluminum foil etching process I'd been experimenting with (see my November 17th post.) The end result was a lot of small monotypes, all similar in subject (cat), but all different in various ways.<br />
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I started by painting a simple, stereotypical sitting cat image on a piece of plexiglass. I used a type of tempra paint that is non-toxic and under the brush it has the feel of fingerpaint -- sort of "slippery" even on paper, let alone a plexiglass surface. All of the monotypes in this series were executed with a sable brush. The paints are water-base so they dry fast. That meant decisive, quick work on my part. But I enjoy working that way so this was actually a very relaxing process and the immediate results captured my interest and enthusiasm. The session only ended when I had to hunt the studio for more paper to use!<br />
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Once I had my painted image, I placed the paper on top of it and hand-rubbed with a baren to pull the print. I tried different kinds of paper and also experimented with pulling prints <i>from</i> prints that had larger amounts of paint on them. Some of those prints are among my favorites. I also pulled some second prints from the plate image if there seemed to be sufficient paint remaining. <br />
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I did not remove the paint from the plexiglass between prints. Instead, I allowed it to build up and found that it provided a better "tooth" for subsequent layers of paint. Also, I did not enslave myself to the exact contour of the image from one print to the next. At some point it occurred to me to put more control on the direction and pressure of the baren and in that way I could indirectly manipulate the way some of the paint contacted the paper.<br />
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Here are the top 25 monotypes -- the ones I decided to mat and offer in my art shop at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoppengaArtStudio">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoppengaArtStudio</a>. Not all of these are currently listed at the etsy shop but eventually will be. All of these are for sale, so if you see one here that you'd like to purchase but that is not yet listed at my etsy shop let me know. I've put numbers next to each print shown below; use the number to refer to the print when you contact me. Each print is matted as shown. Some are printed on a kind of Japanese Rice Paper, and so in those particular ones you can see some "waving" that gives a textile feel to the print.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAMWV3TEVNcYExEQIFVnU7gmo9VABB0ANP5yd3DO1kHyCCLxzHooxEXDS2GA-0PynMcq4zy1qQQTlcVuto3gJ5muiZGxSjfNmdfSNdSRcWS72jq8E90fxfNDwXILPSgtlzo8bqch-aKc/s400/Cat+Form+-+Calico+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="273" />1.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImHZbD_4VMgD5JLSUyUeoAlF0x5hKryk9qNMlvlYuArx6isWcv9CA4tz0RhfnhK1CeMf4FAfZmDZPO8WSo28HJR9_9_lg3AlpUlrWoVS6UvvYazVCg7ansi505ETq06qheYmAALpe2wA/s400/Cat+Form+-++Maine+Coon+Pastel+Pink+Blue+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="280" />2. SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM5WkKcKdDWn4InUKokeGx_q698OeJqRppIqNBTMwIssjXsgAZ5gEd-eZjcXdvIDZ4dqv6uFAiU45V-WlThKeplhmU8wvZs0JOqpXdVHzD92ftarAZlw6cEjEZiq0bifecpCBWadjea4/s400/Cat+Form+-+Green+Stripe+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="272" />7. SOLD<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJPyj2QRyrrSDOyss57KF0JjAxRZl_Vizi7afpqLUlk0wwYZroo4_OCyvJifUap4nHhB6F9juggzGonaJhArIPGmkG0FHB3DZkdTPCDrgU0_swCppywub4bfNYKhl8D1kwX4PqQOW1fo/s400/Cat+Form+-+Indigo+Tabby+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />8.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYuExprpfw1fji9t20xtnI4qrBsU7IckOySeCNjIZIPKfj2WZ4-UL1gpZi1IGNwj2wr5k7GPQTHR66jcq5i7183_2zMWmctvLTutN5-eywEPYxeQ35dj0fOpeBXiRHBTZnFQdO6PeuWc/s400/Cat+Form+-+Maine+Coon+Multi+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />10. SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7X61kvpPaTeV-0YN6v35AyuJ5BFL_NbpZ1e4dd2mIgpYo4ShSEQdu_xCPBORr7May1o17alBxZvxbwCvz9MgWnID-D0LDvLMcYofCY1f8-_kI-YlE9h5pFsSpYf-xhCQOO0h4LXHDUrg/s400/Cat+Form+-+Maine+Coon+pink+blueETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="276" />11.SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigX_Qof6ylkQcj5gJOtFBxNhmRGgmfghGfXM0GzFDhuYdcwHA7Unradc4dsq_n6BqNvUcZkIYmb5y0k2gK_Gyt-9qSEslMZ_FU2Ma7saXMVYLu5zWUlcD02v8kajKTClzYdSffUIhHu0/s400/Cat+Form+-+Multi+22+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="271" />13. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94X2njDBkBQF8LvuJULi1Azj1HCtiFwFXmJ-KvEVWeib4zZBIXQCstTgaanVnLH7N4zMtdmKpamDBGXM4JMjSQiCiDv5h3xdtik3LgdY5JsU4v1ocRz6m8aupyKCTzS1gswzQ-X3hgwQ/s400/Cat+Form+-+Multi+Stripe+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />14.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvwmsekdWuhnsBQSBTu-JsGYJlpvB9e8Re4fLWF9s3K7jsDfyqeiZZ1TKi1doTcInriMUDrx81BVNhyphenhyphenY8Bv0ZqbxCNcf9P8W2UW2MKNQN1Voh33OkUKuM1kBBRWXOVSYVSxuCuurxhAc/s400/Cat+Form+-+Orange+Flame+Calico+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />15.SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQgIibXO8oh0fEP_a_fV1SyvXRgb20SGJmZr1CbcNf4Us27i5T0MtVRrJbuKHwgZq_xpJzdtTTMl6MPMzdTZe6QpkyVDatZOjGxGg8iwqBVDhxvNdEhiPldU84pGMCTV964T7nkLe0cc/s400/Cat+Form+-+Orange+Flame+Tabby+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />16.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Ulfn45VwxoiRov5aSwRYdH-NHFAOcNnWb8MX-SXlWVIMe0AOnz-ecgOkNWjsUSLSNFjUMs6rx_St5Rdw-u0ROD1zQg5aeyAEM9xowedWL8KTCoucDn5J9pJgoYJqEeCY0YTXt-FY34/s1600/Cat+Form+-+Orange+Tabby+ETSY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_Ulfn45VwxoiRov5aSwRYdH-NHFAOcNnWb8MX-SXlWVIMe0AOnz-ecgOkNWjsUSLSNFjUMs6rx_St5Rdw-u0ROD1zQg5aeyAEM9xowedWL8KTCoucDn5J9pJgoYJqEeCY0YTXt-FY34/s400/Cat+Form+-+Orange+Tabby+ETSY.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a> 17.SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dmVkLHv9oHrlO1SVnJJFzGpY0NR1U-qvbBSwL4OrNg5Pqtr0kyQA-Zp6x2JBTIrT9ueNwTB1pyNwtHruz5N14byCRoy2PryvqbAmM7zjbQNdIWx1gBhPkQDedJmmlsOy6_UUcAn7XEg/s400/Cat+Form+-+Pastel+Calico+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />18. SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0drKeEEBf7EVrMTvH88EdKkTe3xnO1HMHbcS7JxccjoGjog2W65mHC0KZ3qYrHtZ5qi_wo8CtAkT8ljUYs9fuAjtBTEkwT5jFBzxaHUSA-dTD-oeBlKzedu_cjJXVIDVrnHgZlpjhBU/s400/Cat+Form+-+Pastel+Spot+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="272" />19.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMsMUQg_Yh4ZTy5XdvN37mCZ7_gUA1PWvTaTJL1VXsg45oVYzr8U0NzdAENVffx18FBCn2agk0iGDkcLkKUrUMcoEnVdiv8EPep-1pvSATRkJzqe58JwAwBW5U2k1e6buA8UopdD9I4Q/s400/Cat+Form+-+Persian+Blue+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="275" />20.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsFR-qYw48A3DxHttM1-DYFtRc4xC74yXxyjw_fVcf5KFv8LcqiTnh1DRk0F0Whuw95Y4vVLlLT6a0brtoqZRjSiLFqiaUVAVzqiNXHEyI0R2uZPFhi-U0NvfkgejSFthjURVadwJckM/s400/Cat+Form+-+Silver+Spot+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="270" />21.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp_uXpBSK4DrmOWKaO5eNwWgOQh-n2e_LKuU8dvZseC7bep-VkndX9JEKX24HHCqE_dyBEGhcINFezoTZHa6EI9k4ndUrD9sG2Lqg4g_xOf35l7FcZHR7b5ZqKz87FAbawyTQUW7DAI8/s400/Cat+Form+-+Silver+Tabby+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="271" />22.SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8THCJ-sec1RsQoinrj6Gp1UkzpMBtuWQ0YVag5bOH5wIHUMYAY-REjBwRvAoGrliQkuZdss0hAZSgZXkPsWi6-SoPrQr-gpHUxx1YjPxYe6KjgZQk6eSXNJ5m_h5r-VsP0xujXXWL0aQ/s400/Cat+Form+-+Simple+Brown+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="273" />23. SOLD</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7qx7vB4jea_mnvOWmrZpFmRRUHBAfbvsCUhgHob-mDibQzzewLRrOeAk3ZHuY71xIVZozFUtko8CxTOAEUqMTEz725LzQ0IAmLBtSGDDBzey3y12xg5UIXP5T2IhzfGjwImdDhUlAvk/s400/Cat+Form+-+Tabby+Stripe+ETSY.jpg" dda="true" height="400" width="274" />24.SOLD</div>
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Number 1 has an oriental feel, I think. Number 25 was among the first ones printed. See if you can pick out the ones in this group that are "second pulls" or "mirror pulls." Most of the prints are sort of generic cats of the kind commonly referred to as domestic short-hair, which is what my cat is. However, there are a few that resemble the Maine Coon breed. My mother has a Maine Coon and so I suspect that's how that interpretation got from my visual memory to the paint to the paper. One does, after all, paint what one is familiar with. </div>
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C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-41668099344539525662011-11-20T23:52:00.000-08:002011-11-20T23:52:59.632-08:00Two more cat paintings - Siamese pleaseIt's been a productive week at the studio. Besides experimenting with the kitchen lithography process (see my November 17th post), I've also finished two small paintings of Siamese cats, titled "Siamese - AUM 1" and Siamese AUM 2." These paintings were not intended to be a "pair" but that is what they ended up being. <br />
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Both are very simple and in that simplicity they are also elegant. The canvas paper, on which the works are painted, has a linen-like texture that I like. So I applied the oil paint in thin layers, allowing not only the paper texture to show but also my initial brushstrokes and color layers.<br />
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These paintings are the first that I've ever applied goldleaf to. I've been wanting to incorporate goldleaf ever since I first saw Gustaf Klimt's gold-embellishmented paintings. In my Siamese cat paintings I added a Sanskrit word (it is pronounced A + U + M) in goldleaf. I've never used goldleaf for anything before, so it was quite an experience (don't breath in its direction or POOF! it drifts away like air!) The ornate frames, like the goldleaf, contrast with the simplicity of the paintings.<br />
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As for the word AUM. there are a hundred or more meanings to AUM, but I was especially drawn to the explanation that "the word AUM itself is total divinity manifested." Ah, I thought. And is that not a cat? Especially a Siamese cat?<br />
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Here are the two paintings (shown with frames.) The first painting shown is based on an adult cat named Louie who is waiting to be adopted at the Pet Paws See no-kill shelter. Both of these paintings are listed in my on-line Etsy Shop at: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/PoppengaArtStudio">http://www.etsy.com/people/PoppengaArtStudio</a> As with most of the cat paintings I'm creating, a portion of the sales from these two works will be donated to the shelter:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo93OjFvKfrhDYvRhM5H0MJ4hh9ya_uK4QU7bD3SrVPb3fXYcq-D8MMMhIGsAAJIqfLMzzqjWgrbb-vmmPyTkKGOnHs6uWFMIJWKaciRgxg3Oo0tNxZ2PszOCevDmT1_Z7txOpfQo5r4w/s1600/Untitled-3+frame1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo93OjFvKfrhDYvRhM5H0MJ4hh9ya_uK4QU7bD3SrVPb3fXYcq-D8MMMhIGsAAJIqfLMzzqjWgrbb-vmmPyTkKGOnHs6uWFMIJWKaciRgxg3Oo0tNxZ2PszOCevDmT1_Z7txOpfQo5r4w/s400/Untitled-3+frame1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fnb0whpVp0hSNKoreX5xK3AYwsm5TmYd4lkkYrN1TB_NS21EnmsbLpOw6PbFchA7NGbtAOLVNkh4NH6vLfKfClxX8mBnRionrejELXJ7oIvLDW2bNlzJMQSjFJdccZhyphenhyphenYbKbNZ1g_Mw/s1600/Untitled-2+frame+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fnb0whpVp0hSNKoreX5xK3AYwsm5TmYd4lkkYrN1TB_NS21EnmsbLpOw6PbFchA7NGbtAOLVNkh4NH6vLfKfClxX8mBnRionrejELXJ7oIvLDW2bNlzJMQSjFJdccZhyphenhyphenYbKbNZ1g_Mw/s400/Untitled-2+frame+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Below are a couple details from the Siamese cat paintings. Eyes are a specialty I take a certain satisfaction in accomplishing. Whiskers scraffitied (scratched) into the soft oil paint before it dries--which means being very certain and decisive about where to place each mark, because once it's scratched in it's there to stay.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJbCjItX3OzKMGmpecEo6KHZyQWCaT1h_-_j0gmh63YCtIOQomUrURD386KUB5V7I0a5JsTk8W2VmMV4YKsqrX-tYsXOMv_9VtlhdOAV8jbK6kaQS2ALgxS88CdKeHsjWXB36KQc9pb0/s1600/Untitled-1abEYES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJbCjItX3OzKMGmpecEo6KHZyQWCaT1h_-_j0gmh63YCtIOQomUrURD386KUB5V7I0a5JsTk8W2VmMV4YKsqrX-tYsXOMv_9VtlhdOAV8jbK6kaQS2ALgxS88CdKeHsjWXB36KQc9pb0/s400/Untitled-1abEYES.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwMYYUpdGrlLhXmuRfL39MrFX7Wq95Iu5nGm2ftU57T8ZA-rKW1-NPSG2KVTWdGnKBPiniT1Zkcvrr77xpz7VnRF2IRG8oXJk9rnVXEkDF_E94vltNDEDqoMRKrtjCGBudMy5csVJIBw/s1600/Untitled-2abDETAIL4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwMYYUpdGrlLhXmuRfL39MrFX7Wq95Iu5nGm2ftU57T8ZA-rKW1-NPSG2KVTWdGnKBPiniT1Zkcvrr77xpz7VnRF2IRG8oXJk9rnVXEkDF_E94vltNDEDqoMRKrtjCGBudMy5csVJIBw/s400/Untitled-2abDETAIL4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-7154170094315460582011-11-17T16:50:00.000-08:002011-11-17T16:53:04.243-08:00Aluminum Foil EtchingI haven't posted in quite a while but have been busy in the studio -- and also making the monthly rounds as Artist-In-Residence teaching artist at several central Montana rural schools. The AIR job only takes me out of town on six days each month plus five days that involve just an hour or so of teaching teaching time just a few blocks from where I live in town. What it all boils down to is that, unlike last school year, I'm getting a fair amount of studio time.<br />
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So, what is happening at the studio? Lots! Besides painting more cat portraits and some landscape/skyscapes, I've been having a great time experimenting with a process generally refered to as "kitchen lithography." <br />
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Hmm, lithography you say. Expensive, you say. <br />
But no! This "litho" process uses aluminum foil in place of the expensive limestone and soda pop instead of acid for the etching part of the process. The only other "tools" needed are some rags, a couple sponges and a baren or spoon. (Note: The baren or spoon sustitute for an etching press. I have a press so everything I'll post regarding "Kitchen Lithography" will use the press unless I state otherwise.) Other supplies include soap, soft brush, litho crayons or pencils, ordinary cooking oil, etching ink and suitable paper.<br />
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Years ago, I took a half year of lithography class at the (then) Alberta College of Art in Calgary, Alberta. Rummaging around in some storage boxes in the studio, I found my stash of remaining litho crayons (sticks, pencils and disks) plus my Tamarind Lithography textbook (great reference source!) I also have a supply of etching paper -- plus a big assortment of other kinds of papers. Two plexiglass plates (one to roll-up ink and one to hold the aluminum foil) and I was ready to give Kitchen Litho a try. Which I did. Over and over again.<br />
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Here are a few of my print experiment results:<br />
This first one was drawn on the foil with soap and brush. Just simple quickly done cat lying down printed on yellowish domestic etching paper. The three images are the result of three progressive print pulls without re-inking between so the print is progressively lighter in value (I did, however, re-sponge the plate to push around the remaining ink.) (click for larger view)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7vspmxbT2dkkOlKSta7qAzESA9KOz5kujk9eZmLnZ1sdaoGwjqTfd9UDmparKtHWkr0Eo9V87KjSDt2rXo7xR7iLLGifRgldm1UQfE04qC4kqoj9PKwzN8_RNaGfNRi6yfo1-DgcNIo/s1600/Soap+Printings123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7vspmxbT2dkkOlKSta7qAzESA9KOz5kujk9eZmLnZ1sdaoGwjqTfd9UDmparKtHWkr0Eo9V87KjSDt2rXo7xR7iLLGifRgldm1UQfE04qC4kqoj9PKwzN8_RNaGfNRi6yfo1-DgcNIo/s200/Soap+Printings123.jpg" width="70" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jRiwjQYTq08ZfIypyTWvymYx4snGm9M5qh2Bszj7or7Vu0x1Li5osqSKQnjjWIBpXc43xG11FpL5h_xmVAJN3FyiFs7a2D1ZAaHURLjCwPd4A3e3gsehICmKDNf_ywjHl_wc7BKo5Xc/s1600/Litho+Crayon+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jRiwjQYTq08ZfIypyTWvymYx4snGm9M5qh2Bszj7or7Vu0x1Li5osqSKQnjjWIBpXc43xG11FpL5h_xmVAJN3FyiFs7a2D1ZAaHURLjCwPd4A3e3gsehICmKDNf_ywjHl_wc7BKo5Xc/s200/Litho+Crayon+8.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>The next print (at right) was pulled from an aluminum foil plate drawn on with a #1 litho crayon (I have #1, #3 and #5 crayons.) <br />
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As with all of my kitchen lithography experiments, I kept the drawing simple and worked very rapidly, not worrying about how the drawing looked as far as accuracy or proportion, etc.<br />
This one was pulled on a snowy white card stock (which is why the edges of it do not show up on the blog/computer screen.)<br />
(click for larger view)<br />
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The next print shown below was pulled from an aluminum foil plate drawn on with a #1 litho pencil (I have #1, #3 and #5 sticks which are thin like pencil lead and go into a special holder---sort of like a mechanical pencil.) I like this image. I based the drawing on one of my existing oil painting sketches. It is pulled on a white card stock just like the print shown immediately above. I feel like this print starts to approach some of the qualities I'm searching for. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jv_4hc3q9FrEu_Q8nATVVV9i7ikYi45vXmcRlq_eer4QiRWynQQiRoCHPP71W3nOOFFhTxPd2Rz1My0h1qnBVXQeeHqLWZyAHWx1p0Ceck4Mbg3xzJBa4SWXzO3g6V_hgOQrriTAnsw/s1600/Litho+Crayon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jv_4hc3q9FrEu_Q8nATVVV9i7ikYi45vXmcRlq_eer4QiRWynQQiRoCHPP71W3nOOFFhTxPd2Rz1My0h1qnBVXQeeHqLWZyAHWx1p0Ceck4Mbg3xzJBa4SWXzO3g6V_hgOQrriTAnsw/s320/Litho+Crayon+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The next print experiment used the same plate with still intact soap drawing of the cat reclining as shown in the first print above. For this print, however, I laid a cloth mesh over the image area and then ran it through the press (first image.) Then I removed the cloth mesh and printed again (without re-inking or responging) for the second image shown below. The results on the second print are of interest to me as I seek ways to make this process unique with my work. Both are printed on yellowish domestic etching paper. (click for larger view.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLji0NKV2XjmTSdERYN2NVI0qk55qyqPgot5PY-iq-Z-ewBCgWvq94wIpuoifE-cD8qrAyNXwQPltviTH2Ea30-iaRFJKSKbtKAW5jgg8mjmQkkJHcHbK3INKylQeTyxEF3Ym7GJ0jscs/s1600/Mesh+test+1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLji0NKV2XjmTSdERYN2NVI0qk55qyqPgot5PY-iq-Z-ewBCgWvq94wIpuoifE-cD8qrAyNXwQPltviTH2Ea30-iaRFJKSKbtKAW5jgg8mjmQkkJHcHbK3INKylQeTyxEF3Ym7GJ0jscs/s200/Mesh+test+1A.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi1yDZ3jBPm6y1PFJIgiSa6nayLM-NuvYasXV-O20nB6iFwqjv4lOc4skKzMKKaGsT1jvdLgHJn8NGppISFf5v2HqH00sdHxxVz7X-DTcC6Ouev5E0CXQPETxhyX_83i75K6uWXH0Py0/s1600/Mesh+test+1B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi1yDZ3jBPm6y1PFJIgiSa6nayLM-NuvYasXV-O20nB6iFwqjv4lOc4skKzMKKaGsT1jvdLgHJn8NGppISFf5v2HqH00sdHxxVz7X-DTcC6Ouev5E0CXQPETxhyX_83i75K6uWXH0Py0/s200/Mesh+test+1B.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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The last print posted below was done with the #5 litho lead in holder. Because it's the hardest litho grade of what I have, it made finer lines and I was able to layer lines without "clogging" them. It's a freely drawn shell form. The lower half of the foil accidently lifted from the plexiglass when I was removing the litho crayon in the last step before inking. It got pretty wrinkled and I had to re-flatten it out carefully -- but even at that, I lost some of the lower left of the original litho drawing of the shell. Left of the shell print below is the foil plate used to make the print (click on image for larger view.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv7nu1CJX8raOdOpBPnEpx7aRfP8fYiL-AluLtcRZZJU4MXPCRaWOf8p73t4BbT5bZGNHrSwSuNkNMkFaidzovtwfXslQ_rhBq8DoB5olFJvNe5KyXiqT1a8ELZ3kHMjHh8fYfHliprI/s1600/Shell+Print+%2526+Foil+Plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv7nu1CJX8raOdOpBPnEpx7aRfP8fYiL-AluLtcRZZJU4MXPCRaWOf8p73t4BbT5bZGNHrSwSuNkNMkFaidzovtwfXslQ_rhBq8DoB5olFJvNe5KyXiqT1a8ELZ3kHMjHh8fYfHliprI/s400/Shell+Print+%2526+Foil+Plate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-72543308893934137032011-08-28T10:00:00.000-07:002011-08-28T10:01:28.275-07:00Kitten Trio - Suki, Kato, and JettaI'm cutting back just a bit on my hours in the studio as I am getting ready for another year of teaching art in several schools within about a 100-mile radius of my home town. Once that schedule starts in earnest, there will be less evening hours for the studio too because I need to be alert and driving miles to schools first thing in the mornings.<br />
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However, a couple days ago I did get another oil painting off to a start. The kittens featured in this work are Suki (white) and Kato and Jetta. All three are with the no-kill shelter PetPawSee in Great Falls, Montana (as are most of the other cats/kittens I've been painting and posting here.<br />
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This painting is on stretched canvas and measures 18 inches by 24 inches. What I'm thinking about for "background" is to portray a blanket or quilt design. But for now, I've blocked in the negative space with a lavender hue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-OyFLO4pqdX-Mf15YCJWLkir55NKuTN_HjeOUyH0J0n4P3S_u1ex3T5NBjBH-6BBABsvW5cx6qMtD9-MKHxJPm8j6rdMV1vyLexRTYAhF0778u46gA_T_-uyHvL09CQA5jSyyrY1TKw/s1600/Suki+Kato+Jetta+FOR+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-OyFLO4pqdX-Mf15YCJWLkir55NKuTN_HjeOUyH0J0n4P3S_u1ex3T5NBjBH-6BBABsvW5cx6qMtD9-MKHxJPm8j6rdMV1vyLexRTYAhF0778u46gA_T_-uyHvL09CQA5jSyyrY1TKw/s320/Suki+Kato+Jetta+FOR+BLOG.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br />
As with all my work, this is free-hand with brush and paint. Also, in this work two different references were used although the viewpoint was essentially the same. At this stage, this work is very simple. I'll post it again as it evolves. C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-58668646862890047112011-08-24T00:11:00.000-07:002011-08-24T00:13:21.308-07:00Cats: Barn Kittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This work is in-progress, so it was photographed under just the light used for painting. I find it interesting how the digital camera sees some colors precisely and yet not record others. This painting is one of those that was hard to photo and get an accurate color read. The "barn kittens" are based on two kittens - Bolt and Helen - who are with foster homes via a local animal no-kill shelter and are looking for permanent homes. The tractor seat shown behind the kittens is one of a various few I have as props in the studio. This painting is oil on canvas and measures 24 x 24 inches (60.96 x 60.96 cm.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UrGPV_tlj2LASuqNwYR8GwrwBoCeDKMHl27jWDduUn3ZIxrCROp59RYasCqSOQZxyGPAqIDU7rezjjw61TpCxNc98__2m8sdKecQWK1akffx0PhN2XavgO-x4rOlc8xaX-tXnrq3y3k/s1600/Barn+Kittens+in-progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UrGPV_tlj2LASuqNwYR8GwrwBoCeDKMHl27jWDduUn3ZIxrCROp59RYasCqSOQZxyGPAqIDU7rezjjw61TpCxNc98__2m8sdKecQWK1akffx0PhN2XavgO-x4rOlc8xaX-tXnrq3y3k/s320/Barn+Kittens+in-progress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-45334096594480113462011-08-24T00:02:00.000-07:002011-08-24T00:02:50.270-07:00Cat Portrait of Mae Ling completedI completed Mae Ling's portrait a couple days ago and cut a double mat for it. Now it's ready for a frame. At this point I have close to 20 cat portraits on canvas and in various stages of completion. That's about the right amount to be working simultaneously in a revolving manner. I start each session in the studio by starting a fresh painting as a way of "warming up" and then I pick one of the in-progress paintings to work on and may or may not bring it to completion but bring it closer to that stage. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-bFKXtPSTvKE8MIGuKtf0XeEzE1XqH7RiJfRSVSgIME6BeC03PKGSNKKpMQGSa0_eOA2Yq3Cq1GeU8t8KdMbA7FbM5b9ElHZYImaFb8rSyD_Zbynp2sQ6cxXMjAsmOGqrqiX8l494Mo/s1600/Mae+Ling+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-bFKXtPSTvKE8MIGuKtf0XeEzE1XqH7RiJfRSVSgIME6BeC03PKGSNKKpMQGSa0_eOA2Yq3Cq1GeU8t8KdMbA7FbM5b9ElHZYImaFb8rSyD_Zbynp2sQ6cxXMjAsmOGqrqiX8l494Mo/s400/Mae+Ling+for+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-23387122739401564152011-08-19T19:34:00.000-07:002011-08-19T19:34:57.187-07:00Cats: Portrait of Whiskers completedYesterday I posted that the portraits of Whiskers and of Mae Ling were completed. So today, I went into the studio and set each painting on the easel. And decided that I needed to adjust the painting of Whiskers. Specifically, I decided that it needed to show more of his left front leg behind the tulips. I also did some adjustments to his eyes to more closely approximate the bi-color mottle typically seen in older cats. I'll check with Whiskers' "Mom" to see if I've accurately portrayed the eye color or if they need to be more/less green.<br />
Click on the images below to see larger views.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelCq9kRbsSx0c72HttjPFWXMpHaXafYQ8OaLZrCBDQ4M71JIne8686ArW_fZ_FeHeU8IkYlaKSzW6jWmwnOnNtdaxW76dHmOadE_YpC8ZxzL1gLvRD-D3vBi-Kg_HHOdwx8bjCSK8wNA/s1600/Whiskers+finish+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelCq9kRbsSx0c72HttjPFWXMpHaXafYQ8OaLZrCBDQ4M71JIne8686ArW_fZ_FeHeU8IkYlaKSzW6jWmwnOnNtdaxW76dHmOadE_YpC8ZxzL1gLvRD-D3vBi-Kg_HHOdwx8bjCSK8wNA/s400/Whiskers+finish+for+blog.jpg" width="315" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This painting had a layer of beeswax over which a mixture of colors were applied and formed an interesting base of interesting colors and textures for the eventual painting of Whiskers. I like the way this process worked out and it can be seen in the following detail photos of the painting:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUra6yfEEJ7lr86o497zfEwAJn6pzT4aTZxzHG_C1Y7eEzkwtYe9kxCpuPK1HHKUrz_qx7oBs5_GBUXQbcY7FNlsFc4eenl5Tz5K_S-kVvzX2iHQgpOIBE12xDP6CILYs1ghUEkSqA9BA/s1600/Whiskers+finish+DETAIL+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUra6yfEEJ7lr86o497zfEwAJn6pzT4aTZxzHG_C1Y7eEzkwtYe9kxCpuPK1HHKUrz_qx7oBs5_GBUXQbcY7FNlsFc4eenl5Tz5K_S-kVvzX2iHQgpOIBE12xDP6CILYs1ghUEkSqA9BA/s320/Whiskers+finish+DETAIL+head.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Such a handsome cat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6wuNGowglMB2gKug4Jzqp_rB6A7ASzVVcamqG7C-VDcbZK7DY9PhJRx01Q6OQpdPT9uTnLAZSEXKzQQwJy2zckYM2JnTjdKU8Bi0NqiJcwZeOoTbBHANE-MFZQBrgEcqaJ5cfWoIndI/s1600/Whiskers+finish+DETAIL+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6wuNGowglMB2gKug4Jzqp_rB6A7ASzVVcamqG7C-VDcbZK7DY9PhJRx01Q6OQpdPT9uTnLAZSEXKzQQwJy2zckYM2JnTjdKU8Bi0NqiJcwZeOoTbBHANE-MFZQBrgEcqaJ5cfWoIndI/s320/Whiskers+finish+DETAIL+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519973839521716037.post-86915465015956459572011-08-19T00:11:00.000-07:002011-08-19T00:11:23.644-07:00Orange Cat, LinusWell this was another good day in the studio. I finished Mae Ling's portrait and the painting of Whiskers, who was one of the first ones begun. I'll post both completed works sometime over the next day or two.<br />
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Also today, another cat painting was begun. This one is of Linus, a large orange tabby. His name suggested he might be King of the Back Yard and so I included in the background some clematis flowers and a small lion-head fountain. I'm contemplating place a small bird (maybe a wren) perched on the basin part of the fountain. So far, I like the complementary red/green and orange/blue arrangement and can envision this with the colors stepped up in brightness as the painting progresses. Plenty of adjustments yet to be made in this work. Like the painting of the cat named Miss Smith, this one has a naivete (stylistically speaking) that gives it a Colonial era.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1p4mjDrKTE58Vp9WDIHNxmFaj-BsVEAcX6rEXpEQwfthMH0PE-x_9wW5wUHGijsViNs7JkVa01_rUtn7IyxIbRemD4iY84oUFTSTqhhx_tX5m94PIsaqE8maKhHrBBEx0x77wI0_kVE/s1600/Linus+King+of+the+Garden+in-progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1p4mjDrKTE58Vp9WDIHNxmFaj-BsVEAcX6rEXpEQwfthMH0PE-x_9wW5wUHGijsViNs7JkVa01_rUtn7IyxIbRemD4iY84oUFTSTqhhx_tX5m94PIsaqE8maKhHrBBEx0x77wI0_kVE/s400/Linus+King+of+the+Garden+in-progress.jpg" width="267" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After I photographed this work I hung it on the studio wall while I completed the Mae Ling and Whiskers paintings. Then I took some time to simply sit and look at this painting. The result was to make a small change: cross the cat's right leg/paw over the extended left leg. I didn't photograph again after making that change, but it was a good move that improved the attitude/posture of the cat. It will show up the next time I photo the progress of this painting.</div>C S Poppengahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388885581932402412noreply@blogger.com0