Joe "The Artist" Hagarty

I'm moving - See you there

2009-03-27T20:18:00.000-04:00

Moved to My Sketchbooks - effective 3/27/2009 -

I'm reducing the number of blogs in order to better serve you.

Words of Wisdom

2009-02-03T23:07:00.009-05:00

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy
out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another
person must work for without receiving.
The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to
work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when
the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because
somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend,
is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by
dividing it." ---- The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 - 2005

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who
are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Thomas Jefferson

Sketches

2009-01-28T18:00:00.008-05:00

Once in a while - a little humor.

What is an Artist?

2009-01-18T16:02:00.003-05:00

An artist is 3 things: a collector of shapes and symbols, an illusionist, and an entertainer.

It is impossible for an artist to paint a living tree (or a dead one); he can only represent the tree in a realistic or symbolic manner. He does this with shapes or symbols that say to the viewer: "it's a tree." If the viewer agrees, then the artist has carried his message. The artist goes and collects these symbols and places them into pleasing arrangements and with pleasing colors. It is possible for the artist to do this in the positive or the negative, e.g., instead of painting the tree, he paints everything that is around the tree, and the tree shows, because the negative shapes share the same edge as the positive shapes (the tree.)

The artist is an illusionist, because he creates the illusions of atmospheric depth through the use of muted colors in the furthest parts of his painting, and through the use of brighter and warmer colors for the parts of the painting up close. In addition, he uses the techniques of linear perspective, overlapping shapes, and smaller shapes in the distance to produce the illusion of distance.

The artist is an entertainer. By directing your eye to an area, through good composition and leading shapes, it is his responsibility to entertain you in that area. This is especially true for the landscape painter, who once having you look at his focal area must now keep you there by providing entertaining shapes, details, calligraphy, or contrasting changes in color.

Below is a painting in which you can see some of these principles applied.

Finished portrait

2008-12-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

I had been working on this for some time and have now finished it. It will be for sale on my commercial site. In keeping with my agreement with her parents, I can only publish the painting and no information about this lovely young lass. I also did one of her brother which will be posted soon.

A Different Christmas Poem

2008-12-11T20:29:00.002-05:00

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

"A Different Christmas Poem"

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,
'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'

' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'

FRED D. SELF, MSgt, USAF
First Sergeant
332 EAMXS/Weasels and 64 EHMU/CSAR
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
Work: 94-318-443-7977
Home: 94-318-443-8816 POD: F-50
Pager: 94-318-443-9001 x225

Latest work

2008-12-05T00:21:00.001-05:00

This is from a background of texture onto which I laid in abstract shapes and came up with the forest-like abstract. I then painted in the negative shapes which created the positive shapes (the background color stands out - negative shapes are often the darks in a painting. It's water media (combination of watercolor and acrylics.)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

2008-11-23T16:54:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THA T NEED FIXINGBECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ...

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE A LARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT. I JUST DID.

Live well, Laugh often, and Love with all of your heart!

Red Riding Girl.

2008-11-21T19:52:00.001-05:00

This is one of my 5"x7" paintings (8"x10") matted for sale on my site. This work is watercolor, but on a plastic paper; it is then sprayed with clear plastic. It is currently displayed for sale in my sales studio. Click on the text.

Using New Acrylics

2008-10-23T18:58:00.000-04:00

This picture used acrylics paint which are similar to both watercolor and oil paints. They are creamy and will remain wet for at least two days. This feature allowed me to use some of my watercolor techniques that produce the great clouds. So I will be using these (only 4 colors - blue, yellow, red, and white.)

I can use these on ordinary canvas, paper, hardboard, or other surfaces. It helps for the surface to be non absorbent. Hence of absorbent surfaces, I will use some liquid that will prevent the acrylics from soaking thru the material.

Bavarian Landscape - four feet by eight feet

2008-10-20T19:44:00.001-04:00

This painting was done for an October Fest Party at our clubhouse in Connestee Falls. The party was great and we were treated to several classical songs on the "Alpin Horn" by a member of the Greenville (SC) Symphony Orchestre (who plays the French Horn.)

The painting is now displayed in our clubhouse.

Old House

2008-09-18T17:46:00.000-04:00

My Front Porch

2008-08-15T21:19:00.000-04:00

Month of Military Child

2008-04-25T16:13:00.003-04:00

This is my son and grandson - currently in S. Korea and soon to be in Tuscon, AZ. Notice that all the children are dressed in the uniforms of their parents.

Sketchbook

2008-04-07T21:43:00.003-04:00

Today, being Monday, the Connestee Art League met for creativity, coffee, and conversation.
This is the 2nd one of this topic that I've done. The sketch was freehand using only the watercolors and paint brush.

Elephant paints self-portrait

2008-04-07T14:01:00.001-04:00

Author unknown

2008-04-06T11:01:00.001-04:00

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.

One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,

Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,

Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,

Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,

And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,

Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,

Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,

And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.

We speak of a brother and also of brethren,

But though we say mother, we never say methren.

Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,

But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is neither egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writer's write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham.

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship. We have noses that run and feet that smell.

And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

So if Father is Pop, how come Mother isn't Mop?

And that is just the beginning--even though this is the end.

Today's Sketch book

2008-03-31T21:20:00.004-04:00

One has to have a sketchbook -it's the artist's practice sheets. Just as a writer has a journal, or other notebook, this is where you put down your ideas, explore things about which you are reading or remember, or even fantasize. Below are three such examples.

Little Girl Growing Up

2008-03-28T17:17:00.002-04:00

This is a great photo from which I did this sketch. It's done with watercolor pencils. - Sometimes, "Less is More."

From My Sketchbook

2008-03-17T22:10:00.005-04:00

My Sketchbook is now being used as a planning device for my future work. In this book, I put down my thoughts, much in the same way that an author works with an outline.
In any endeavor, we must plan, compose, design with colors, with darks and lights, cool and warm. It matters not what our product is - a song, sonnet, saga, salacious soothing submersion, seacape or silence - we all follow this path towards our creations.

My Wild Irish Rose

2008-03-14T15:17:00.004-04:00

I did this from an old background that I had in my "to be looked at before painting" pile. So the background was there - I just added the rose - in honor of St. Patrick's day, the rose is Pthalogreen (mostly a blue-green.)

My Latest Work

2008-02-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

This work is on sale at my commercial site. This was from a picture I took while in DuPont State Forest, Little River, North Carolina. Just to the right of the covered bridge is the beginning of "High Falls" one of the largest drops of any falls in the U.S.

Some sketches

2007-11-24T22:13:00.000-05:00

These sketches will have to hold you all till my wife and I return from Hawaii - We leave Thursday Nov 29th and will return December 16th - stopping in LA for a visit with friends. Looking forward to seeing our grandson, David. In previous posts you will see paintings of our grandsons, David and George. Happy Holidays to all.

Grandson, George and his dog Harley - Watercolors

2007-11-23T22:06:00.001-05:00

Grandson David - Finished Portrait

2007-11-20T13:54:00.001-05:00

Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

Brother and Sister

2007-10-28T19:21:00.001-04:00

These two portraits are in progress - you can see that there are a number of watercolor "washes" in varying intensities to get the darks and lights and to maintain unity in color.

I'll post the finished product in a couple of weeks.

Children - our only hope

2007-10-27T23:38:00.002-04:00

These two lovely children live in Austin Texas. My son Karl dated their mother while in high school. However, Karl, Dean, Karl's wife Danielle, and Lynn & I remain good friends with the grandmother of these two.

Laurie and Friend Don

2007-09-26T23:23:00.002-04:00

It's a quicky sketch - but it's pretty close. Hope you enjoy it Kinnigurl (Laurie.)

Portrait Class

2007-09-11T22:01:00.002-04:00

This is one of my portrait (water color - very unforgiving) class assignments. I have 2 more classes and then will turn my attention to landscapes.

Back to sketching

2007-08-02T20:59:00.001-04:00

Sometimes "less is more" and this sketch demonstrates this adage. Notice how little is shown of the coffee mug - yet your brain "fills in" the missing pieces. Also note the lack of a complete hand. There is just enough to show the cup being supported and not floating in air.

Some more fun - Dancer

2007-07-10T23:17:00.000-04:00

A Little Fun - did this in about 20 minutes.

2007-07-10T22:26:00.000-04:00

Casualties of War

2007-07-08T20:45:00.000-04:00

From a photo - re-arranged the composition for a more dramatic effect.

Classwork

2007-07-07T23:08:00.000-04:00

Composition exercise - done in 10 minutes using water-immiscible oil paints on gesso painted watercolor paper.

Soaring Bird - finished

2007-06-15T17:03:00.000-04:00

This is the completed Soaring Bird - it's water color and water color pencils. It's available for sale on my commercial site.

Special feature

2007-05-18T01:59:00.001-04:00

This is available for sale

Vacation

2007-05-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

Will be back with more in about two weeks - travelling to Kentucky and other locations. Will post more soon.

Today's Painting

2007-04-30T22:02:00.000-04:00

Last year, I had done a similar painting and placed it on "Boundless Gallery." Today, most people prefer not to have frames.
A new canvas that is stapled on the back, rather than on the sides is used. The artist must paint the sides.

I gave this one to my youngest sister, Judy, in Columbus, OH.

On Location Painting

2007-04-29T17:04:00.000-04:00

This is not finished, but I will continue on it tomorrow at our Connestee Art Painting Day.

Joe The Artist on Location

2007-04-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

This was my 2nd annual trek to the Johnson Farm for their fund raiser. They invite artists and crafters to entertain their paying guests. They feed us and let us keep any sales we make. It's a great time to do painting on location.

The next posts will show you some results.

Another work in progress

2007-04-25T15:52:00.000-04:00

This is the value study being done with acrylics - This phase will be done sometime this week, and I will start on the oils. The oils go over the acrylics. There is still finishing touches and moving some of the highlights to the proper spot (Mikes head, and Amanda's dress and hair.) Mike Racanelli is a former Olympic gymnist who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He is my youngest sister's youngest son.

Work in progress

2007-04-22T22:37:00.000-04:00

This gem will be on my original sketches when it is completed...

A little pastel (chalk)

2007-04-21T19:11:00.000-04:00

One of the more difficult tasks is that of drawing or painting draperies. Hence, this exercise in monocolor pastels.
The white thing to the right is a fairly white hat: it was not the center of attention.

Oil Portrait

2007-04-19T22:10:00.000-04:00

From time-to-time copying another artist's work helps you learn some valuable lessons. Here is one such case. I first did a "value study" - varying degrees of white to black. This helps when you apply the color. This B&W underpainting is done in acrylics, and then the oil paint is applied over that. This method works - however, you cannot successfully put on oil and then acrylic over oils.

Guest COMMENTARY

2007-04-19T13:51:00.000-04:00

By JASON WHITLOCK
Columnist

Imus isn’t the real bad guy...
Instead of wasting time on irrelevant shock jock, black leaders need to be fighting a growing gangster culture.

Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem. read the rest of the story here..

The Drug Culture

2007-04-16T22:46:00.001-04:00

MOTHERS WHO DRUGGED US!!!

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a
Methamphetamine
lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he
asked
me a rhetorical question.

Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for
weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the
weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a
lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect,
spoke ill
of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best
effort in
everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap
if
I uttered a profanity

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and
cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out
some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the
clothesline, or
chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a
single
dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the
woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in
everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine,
crack, or
heroin;
and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would
be a
better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us up.

Watercolor Version

2007-04-15T17:17:00.000-04:00

Here's the watercolor version of my last sketch.

You can purchase it here

Sketches for Watercolors

2007-04-14T23:36:00.000-04:00

From time-to-time I sketch pictures for future watercolors. There are usually people and are about 11"x14" matted. (I prefer larger paper for landscapes.)

This next series will be such sketches. As I finish the paintings, I'll post them as well. You can purchase my affordable sketches on Original Artwork - Joe The Artist

Happy Easter All - Here's a sketch for you.

2007-04-06T16:52:00.000-04:00

Because it was too cold to walk, I went down to the lake to sketch this afternoon. Happy Easter. May the druids and witches hold you in high regard.

New site

2007-04-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

Hi all - I now have a site for you to pick up my sketches at $30-USD including shipping and handling, on my "Original Art - Small Sketches." While there are only portraits right now, future offerings will include landscapes, still-life and other sketches.

Click here.

A link also appears on the sidebar.

Another Painting Leaves the Roost.

2007-03-30T21:07:00.000-04:00

This one is off to an orthpedist in the midwestern USA.

A little water color

2007-03-24T23:02:00.000-04:00

Every so often, I look through my "starts" (things I started with a background idea - but never finished) and then select one for an idea of photo that I came across. - So here's the result.

Ah Chelsea - C'est fini!!!

2007-03-23T23:05:00.000-04:00

Ah - Youth

2007-03-21T22:42:00.000-04:00

This I promised for the lad's birthday. It's only the sketch - I may have something more exotic in mind for later. Happy Birthday - chocolate cake eater.

APlethora of Sketches

2007-03-16T18:06:00.000-04:00

Finished Colored Pencil Sketch

2007-03-13T20:15:00.000-04:00

Only the Mother knows this daughter.

Final Sketch

2007-03-13T19:58:00.000-04:00

I call it sketch because I did not do a complete drawing - omitting the details of the hand - which I did on the previous sketch. How many got it correct?

A new approach to painting

2007-03-12T19:52:00.000-04:00

Here's another part of the painting - what is it and where is it going?

A new approach to sketching -

2007-03-10T20:02:00.000-05:00

A Psalm Of Life

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem....

Now you say to yourself, "SELF: has 'Joe The Artist' lost it???"

Going back to 2001 when I went back to school to restudy drawing, one of our projects was to take a full-sized object, draw it, and then "explode a particular area of the object" to see what we could see - either in reality or in abstract. We did this in six steps.

This sketch below is "step 3" for me. Now - What do you see??? - Please leave your guesses on the "Surfers' Comments." I shall reveal all on the next sketch.

Colored-Pencil Sketch

2007-03-08T01:35:00.000-05:00

Another sketch with a difference - not quite finished - but who is she?

Artist Blogger Friend

2007-03-07T20:44:00.000-05:00

My selection for the day is Jonbeile of "scribbler" fame (see previous posts.)

Chelsea

2007-03-03T18:22:00.000-05:00

Chelsea has been waiting a long time to see this.

Portrait Class Member's work

2007-03-02T16:49:00.000-05:00

This was done by one of the students in my class. The person gave me permission to display it on my site, but requested not to be named - he is a well-known oil painter in my area (which covers 400 sq. miles.)

Joe's Sketch book - landscape

2007-03-01T21:19:00.000-05:00

This is from a photo in "The Hendersonville Times News." Etowah is currently undergoing significant growth. Some of it by some very shifty less than nifty developers. As you know developers go from one town to the other, bankrupting the companies in order to avoid the lawsuits that inevitably follow these shifty characters, and then opening up again. This is one of those developers. - Watch out Etowah!!! (P.S. I have well documented the case against this one developer.)

Starting Watercolors again

2007-02-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

This is the end of portrait class and the beginning of watercolor class. I have always admired Kathy Gagnon's works at our art exhibitions, and hence, signed up for a 6-week course with her as instructor...

Today we did an underpainting whose only purpose was to create a delicate background.

Transparent, non-staining colors are the order of the day: cobalt blue, aureolin yellow, and rose madder (red.) This first part is wet-on-wet - thoroughly wet both sides of paper, then use yellow and swish-splash your way to red madder and then cobalt blue. - The tip the paper; hit it with a spray of water -anything at all - but no brushes Now the hair dryer - and we are ready for the next step. DRAW THE STILL LIFE - AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE - THEN START PAINTING. THIS IS THE UNFINISHED WORK.

Joe's Sketch Book

2007-02-18T19:28:00.000-05:00

This is from a picture I took of one of the good students in our class. Enjoy.

Tuesday School Work - Portrait in oils

2007-02-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

This (right) is last week's work using monocolor pastel chalk.

Today we did the portrait in oils. Until I get permission from the artists, I cannot show you their work - which is far better than mine - a novice at this media (for portraits - I do landscapes and still life in oils.)However, in 2-1/2 hours here is my unfinished work. The model was not smiling. It is the same model as in my last post.

Joe's Sketchbook

2007-02-11T02:21:00.000-05:00

This is the grandaughter of dear friend of mine from Austin TX. We lived near each other in NJ before I moved to NC and she moved to TX.

Joe's Sketchbook

2007-02-09T22:50:00.001-05:00

One of the more expressive blogs - grimfairy.efx2.com - in the sketch "grimm" is deliberately spelled with 2 m's.

Sketchbook

2007-02-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

This is another photo taken from the blogs and then revised in my sketchbook to capture the essence of what I saw.

Shades of Red - beginning sketch

2007-02-05T13:44:00.001-05:00

This sketch was drawn on watercolor paper. Hence, no shading - just lines - shading comes with the watercolor. I intend to do this in "shades of red plus one other color." In this type of color design, one does not MIX the colors in the palette only on the paper.

The continuation of art instruction and stick figures

2007-01-30T14:10:00.000-05:00

Below you can see how the stick figures helped in getting the composition and the relative placements of the figures.

Stick Figures

2007-01-22T22:29:00.000-05:00

When one looks at a photo, it's inspirational or it's not. In preparing to do a painting or sketch, one looks for a pattern of motion. The sketch should show that motion and rythym. Motion of figures can be shown with stick figures, and most texts encourage the use of these in preparation to the actual painting.

You see the motion in the below - figures in a race. In a couple of days I'll post the preliminary results (2 of the 3 figures.)

Barely Sketches

2007-01-16T22:21:00.000-05:00

This is the beginning of a sketch - What attracted my attention were the shapes and lines that I saw. There was rythym to the picture. I expressed that in the beginning sketch. There is an inverted "C" and a cruciform (cross or "T") unified in the composition.

This is the next phase -

This is the finished product - a barely sketch.

Barely sketches

2007-01-13T00:45:00.000-05:00

My son, Karl and his lovely wife - they live in South Korea, near Seoul. They just had a boy, David Joseph, in August. We get to see him over the internet compliments of Skype.

Barely sketches

2007-01-09T16:11:00.000-05:00

Today's portrait class with a live model.

From Warm-ups to finished sketch

2007-01-06T00:13:00.000-05:00

Below you will find the work for the last 2 hours. - Note in the first warm-up, I put the exploded engineering view of the construction of a box. From there, we look at perspective. Everything is done by eye and freehand - no straight edges. Enjoy.

Another sketch for y'all.

2007-01-03T23:32:00.001-05:00

2007 Barely Sketches

2007-01-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

A new year and more paintings and sketches for you to enjoy.

Barely Sketches

2006-12-27T00:02:00.001-05:00

This is the first of The New Year's "Barely Sketches." This will eventually become a painting for a close friend. The person being painted is her granddaughter.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2006-12-20T17:32:00.000-05:00

For the politically correct "Happy HARMONIKA" THAT ACRONYM COVERS THE WHOLE WORLD.
During these holidays that occur around the world, no matter what your ethnic or religious affiliation, there should be only one message and goal:

"Peace on earth, good will towards all persons."

It does not matter what words you use, peace should be the goal.

Although, throughout the history of this planet, peace has been an abberation and not the norm, we should all try. It's like the lottery: if you don't play you can't win.

Only in a Dictatorship

2006-12-16T13:29:00.001-05:00

"It has come to our attention that invalid clicks and/or impressions
have been generated on the Google ads on your site(s). We have
therefore disabled your Google AdSense account. Please understand that
this was a necessary step to protect the interest of the AdWords
advertisers.

A publisher's site may not have invalid clicks or impressions on any
ad(s), including but not limited to clicks and/or impressions generated
by:

- a publisher on his own web pages
- a publisher encouraging others to click on his ads
- automated clicking programs or any other deceptive software
- a publisher altering any portion of the ad code or changing the
layout, behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads for any reason

These or any other such activities that violate Google AdSense Terms
and Conditions and program polices may have led us to disable your
account. The Terms and Conditions and program polices can be viewed at:(THEIR SITE)

Publishers disabled for invalid click activity are not allowed further
participation in AdSense and do not receive any further payment. The
earnings on your account will be properly returned to the affected
advertisers.

If you feel that this decision was made in error, and can maintain in
good faith that the invalid activity was not due to the actions or
negligence of you or those you are responsible for, such as employees
and family members, you may appeal the closing of your account. To do
so, please contact us only through this form:(THEIR LINK)

If Google decides to evaluate your appeal, we will do our best to
inform you quickly and will proceed with appropriate action as
necessary. If we have reached a decision on your appeal, subsequent or
duplicate appeals may not be considered.

Sincerely,

The Google AdSense Team"

I requested that google tell me which site generated these invalid clicks and how they determined that these clicks were invalid. More importantly, I've had the account for over a year and it generated a grand total of $15+ or roughly $1.25/month - Can you believe this company whose stock is valued at over $500 per share? And is the same company which agreed to censor what the Chinese could view over the internet (at the behest of the Chinese Govt.)

Warmups

2006-12-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

This is a warm up for the real thing. I did not have a pencil close at hand, but the picture just hit me as being spontaneous and so I'm doing this with everything else including a two-day trip with my wife for her birthday (Dec 6th.)

Latest sketch

2006-11-29T00:24:00.000-05:00

This is for a patient young lady from the blogsphere. This sketch took about 20 minutes.

Mike and Amanda

2006-11-25T02:00:00.000-05:00

My Niece and nephew - I promised them an oil painting as a wedding gift. This is the first sketch - Later I will do a larger sketch and then an acrylic underpainting, and finally the oil.

Soaring Bird

2006-11-13T21:40:00.000-05:00

This watercolor pencil sketch was done at our regular "Monday Morning paint together" in our Connestee Falls Club House. It's the first of several that I will do on this subject.

Enjoy.

Promises Kept - Red Dirt Girl

2006-11-04T21:58:00.000-05:00

A 250-room Mansion

2006-11-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

My wife and I often go to this Biltmore Estate, from which comes fine wines and great food. This particular visit, I finally was directed to the spot where I could get "the million dollar picture" of the main house.

This house was started in 1889 and completed in 1895, and at the time had the latest technological advances such as electricity, indoor plumbing, elevators and many other amenities of the day. All of the craftsman and materials came from overseas. I'll post other pictures as I set them up.

Happy Halloween

2006-10-29T17:39:00.000-05:00

In travelling to downtown Brevard, NC, this greets you going and coming. It's put up every year by Jean Judge, Realty Office. They usually have a Christmas Scene as well, which I will photo and post here. Enjoy la dia de muerte.

pensive

2006-10-15T20:42:00.000-04:00

pensive
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

This is from a comment on this site - I removed the rings from the nose and lips

Evolution of a painting.

2006-10-15T09:44:00.000-04:00

kchild
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

After sketching this on canvas, I started with the darks (this is an oil painting) I added the reds of the skin and the shadows. This process took about 3 hours. Getting the proportions is always the difficult part, as well as the shapes. I'm always looking at shapes - not noses, not eyes but shapes of darks and lights.

Later, I will get the orange parts of the face, and then the shadows (blues and greens) that give the face depth.

The Happy Couple

2006-10-08T00:20:00.000-04:00

TheHappyCouple
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

Happily, I came upon this pic and decided this was the time to do it. The sketch was done directly on the watercolor paper (140 lb. cold press) and then I used paints left in the palette. I get the proportions the way most artists do - by measuring with the pencil, and then looking at the results - making elongations, shortenings, etc so that everything begins to look right.

I did use a little of white gesso (white acrylic paint) to put the sparkle at the lower eyelids and to correct the bad color in Mercken's nose.
Time from sketch to finished painting about 2 hours. Hope you like it Blossy.

Recent Award

2006-10-07T12:32:00.000-04:00

"this week (Oct 7th - Oct 14th, 2006)the spotlight is on a blog with great Perception which embodies special recognition of his art and events surrounding his work.

Some beautiful sketch work that exhibits his own personal and professional, and awesome concepts of artwork and presentation.

Explore his regulative and constitutive ideals, as he shares and seeks to bring the existence of appearances in vision under his own talented rules.
so I give you the blog of the week, stop by and and give your eyes a feast"

?????

2006-10-07T00:38:00.000-04:00

woman
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

Been doing a bunch of sketches and some drawings that have been painted. This is a sketch of a blogger, but I think the face may be a little short - have to check proportions. But it's a start -

Barely Sketches

2006-10-04T23:37:00.000-04:00

Nancy at SC
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

This one is taken from a photo on the web. I did a couple of sketches first and then tried two different color schemes. I like this one best: it's not really finished.

This is also a candidate for colored pencils because of the lace of the gown. This type lace is difficult in watercolors - but I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve - so this will not be the last of Nancy at South Carolina. This one took about 4 hours for the sketches and the trials.

Guesswhom2

2006-10-02T00:17:00.000-04:00

Guesswhom2
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

Another post for the guess whom artists. This barely sketch was taken from a photo that I cropped. Even I don't know whom she is.

On of the more recent awakenings in my work is that I work from the foundation to build every shape in the painting or drawing.

Enjoy

sailboat

2006-09-29T23:44:00.000-04:00

sailboat
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

Another of those sketches while listening to XM radio music. This is the first sketch of many that will eventually turn into several paintings.
This is drawn from a photo I took at Ataghi Park in Connestee Falls while entertaining my grandson (George) and his parents back in the summer.

More barely sketches

2006-09-27T10:57:00.000-04:00

composite4
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

This sketch is a part of one of Tony Couch's paintings. One sketches other artist's work in order to learn the lessons that the artist has mastered.

As a part of what an artist is (shape maker, collector of symbols, and entertainer) the symbols are important. The symbols tell the story of what the artist has seen and been enthusiastic about, and wants to share with the audience in the entertainment phase.

Will I paint this? Probably, but certainly not exactly (plagiarism.) The design is very good and certainly some theme such as this, and the story it tells is worth the effort.

Remember, sometimes it takes six pieces of paper or canvas to get the shape, color, and design that makes a good painting.

composite1

2006-09-22T21:43:00.000-04:00

composite1
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

These are 4 sketches from the same picture. It has been said, "that if you fail to plan, you will plan to fail. Hence planning is an important part of a good artist's life. For the artist, like the writer, does basically 3 things:

1. Makes Shapes
2. Collects symbols
3. Entertains.

In performing as an entertainer, the artist must make pleasing shapes - a good shape is wider than it is long; is wider at one end than the other; has interlocking edges; and has incidents at an edge.

Symbols are those shapes which a viewer recognizes as being in the real world. Hence an artist must "explain" through the use of shapes what he expects the viewer to enjoy. Hence the entertainment.

More next time.

Mountains

2006-09-13T11:24:00.000-04:00

Mountains
Originally uploaded by Joe The Artist.

This is considerably better than my last posting which is what I consider a "first try" at that subject.

This painting was done during my usual Monday Meeting and Painting sessions that we have here in Connestee Falls, NC.

The mountains do indeed look that way - you are seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina - famous for the Blue Ridge Parkway - where, if you drive more than 35mph - you are going to miss the next curve and go careening over the ridge and drop very quickly about 2000 feet straight down - before the sudden stop.