Abstract Oil Painting: What a Thrill!

I'm home from four days of bliss. I just took my first formal oil painting class and it was the perfect class for me. It was with Allen Cox at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the Oregon coast. It was perfect because Allen is so easy-going, I love his art, and he is an excellent teacher, giving each student one-on-one personal attention. There were only eight of us in the class (an unexpected treat), so lots of opportunities for personal attention. Here I am with the Fantastic Mr. Cox.

Enough chitter chatter. I know you just want to see photos, so here's my week in a semi-organized way.

That was a nice little general look at the class. Now for some progression photos. We were each asked to bring three panels, 16 x 20. Here is substrate No. 1.

My reincarnated several times, atmospheric, unfinished piece.

And then the crosses.

Because I only brought three canvases to work on, I was looking around for more, but being in the woods and without a car, my options were pretty limited. So I raided the wood pile from the cabin where I was staying. I primed the boards, tossed on a little plaster to see how it interacted with the oil and wax concoction, and BOOM! Eight little pieces of art emerged over the course of four days. I call this series FROM THE WOOD PILE

As I left Sitka yesterday, I was blessed to see this doe with her two fawns. An appropriate ending to a great week.

My week's work: