A Lesson From Raphaelle Peale

I began work on this piece some years ago, when my friend and teacher John Morra suggested I choose a painting I liked and, instead of making a copy, I re-create it with my own props. I have a deep affection for the work of Raphaelle Peale, so I decided to re-create one of his still lifes. I learned a lot doing this piece! I had no idea how carefully he balanced the elements until I tried it myself.

It took quite a while to pull together all the props for this piece, including some wheeling and dealing on Ebay. I never did find a dish resembling the one in the original, so that part is copied. The glass, decanter (and contents), fruit, nuts, raisins, and leaves were all gathered for this piece.

Two friends saw it, still unfinished, in my studio, and expressed an interest in buying it. That was the incentive I needed to tackle some bits that had slowed my progress, and they have now purchased the piece. Before doing so, they visited the National Gallery in Washington, D.C to see the original painting which inspired this one. I include an image here: Raphaelle Peale, A Dessert, August, 1814.

A Lesson From Raphaelle Peale

oil on linen panel 10.5" x 16"

SOLD

Plein air August and September

Recently, I drove a few hours north to catch some favorite views. My first attempt was a wet one.

It turns out that 2 umbrellas just make 2 drippy edges to get you wet! Only the painting stayed dry. Oil paints don't mix with water, though, so I was able to carry on until I was just too soaked.

I finished this in the back of the car. Thanks to the brave soul who took the photo with my camera.

The next time I tried, the weather was much better, but this is the only other painting I really like from the trip. I have lots of ideas to work with in the studio, though.

Several people stopped to take photos. Thanks to everyone who said hello and checked out my work, and special thanks to Jim Mayo, who included me in a video of his Alaska road trip, and to Cherie Smith and Roger Kulwicki, who took these photos.

In fact, so many people have taken photos of me at work over the years, I have just created an online collection of those photos. You can see them in an album titled "Painting in Public" on my Facebook page. Please have a look when you get a chance, and if you like it, please "Like" it.  

Broad Pass in Mist 

12 x 16

oil on linen panel

Snow and Streams

12 x 16

oil on linen panel

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Plein Air, July

This summer I helped out as cook on a cabin building project, and had a few hours to get out the paints and record the action. These 4 guys did an amazing job of completing the framing and installing lots and lots of windows during a 4 day frenzy. Luckily, the weather was glorious.

One of the structures on the property is a classic Alaska lean-to cabin, with plenty of sod on the roof. We don't know how long it will last, so it seemed like a good idea to paint it now.

I got my picture taken while I was at work. That hat is completely enclosed in mosquito netting.

These paintings are both now the property of the cabin owner.

Differential with Japanese Banner

It helps, when one is a still life artist, to understand the secret lives of things. Objects can be quite lively when you get to know them. This differential, for instance, persuaded a fit young man to carry it 12 miles out of an abandoned junk pile somewhere in Alaska, despite the extra weight. When he left the state, he put it on the grass to one side of his yard sale, where it attracted me. Since then, it has been waiting patiently in my "heavy metal" box, all the while exerting a kind of tug on my awareness. In another part of my life, I was exploring old Japanese textiles. I did not realize this banner would have an affinity with the differential, but there it is.

Differential with Japanese Banner
16 x 20

oil on linen panel

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

One landscape has become two

Last year I went to Denali National Park and made a 16 x 40 painting of the view at Polychrome Pass. I had to put it on 2 panels in order to carry the wet painting-in-progress on the park bus. When I got home I framed them in one frame, but try as I might, I could not make the seam unobtrusive.

I finally took the panels out of the frame, cropped one, and now I have two paintings of the view at Polychrome Overlook. I think it worked out fine in the end. 

This year I will try to return to the same spot to do 2 more paintings. What I have done so far is only a small slice of a great view. 

Polychrome Overlook
16 x 20

Polychrome Overlook 2
16 x 12

oil on linen panels

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Tumbler of Water

Here is a little painting I thought would be simple, but it took a long time. Water in a clear tumbler on a white napkin. It started as a demonstration piece in a class, then migrated to a First Friday demonstration, then came home to the studio where I could control the light. I'm finally happy with it!

Tumbler of Water

6 x 6

oil on linen panel

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Orange on Linen Napkin

I have been offering "Work Alongside" sessions at Upstairs Studio. It's a way for me to offer some instruction while also working on my own painting. I did this little painting last Saturday, as I worked alongside a student. We had a great day and both felt good about our results.

Good news about the reposts of better photos, it did not generate repeat emails to subscribers. However, if you want to see the improvements, you can do so here and here. Thanks for putting up with my fussing!

Orange on Linen Napkin

6 x 8

oil on linen panel

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Two Mangoes

Here is a painting I began as a demonstration piece during Upstairs Studio's January First Friday opening. I enjoy doing public demonstrations because little kids come along and ask very good questions. That way the adults in the vicinity have a chance to learn something!

A note to subscribers: You may receive some old posts again. I am changing the photos on some recent posts, now that I am taking better photos with my new camera. When I change the photos, the whole post may be sent out again. I apologize for the re-send, if that happens. At least you will get to see the better images.

Two Mangoes

8 x 10

oil on linen panel
SOLD

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com