A New J.B.Chicoine Header Underway

I had every intention of posting my progress incrementally, but—well…I simply wasn’t feeling real enthused about this project. Aside from my ultimate goal—designing a new homepage for JBChicoine.com—the need for which is pretty darn exciting (adding Novelist to Artist), the process causes me great anxiety. I guess that’s what sucked some of the enthusiasm out of painting. Aside from that, when I set my Reading & Writing watercolor beside it for reference, the favored painting taunted me. How could I produce anything that would not wither beside it? And this new painting is supposed to represent my art side of the Website! Okay, yeah, I allowed my negativity (and funner* graphics projects—more on that another time) to get in the way and stall my progress.

Yesterday, I finally sat down and forced myself to finish it. Overall, I’m please with the result—it’s not as dramatic as its sibling, but how can ‘blank’ compete with all that dramatic black? (see previous post). Just the same, it has a nice light and airy feel to it.

Here is an idea I had for making the transition between the two images (it was my husband’s idea to chop off my bottom). I really like the concept of having an image of the painter/writer in the heading, except the face belongs to me. Ha! Having ‘me’ so prominent makes me squirm a bit, but objectively, I really like the composition—I like all the juxtaposed angles.

Now, I have to pick a day when I’m feeling really fresh and in control and patient, and dive back into the software program I used to design my Website in the first place, and relearn it. I am not looking forward to that. I need a new chant…  “I will not have a meltdown…” (that sounds too negative) “…I can do it!...I can do it!...”

* although MS Word says “funner” is not a word, Merriam-Webster’s Multi-Reference Dictionary says it is.

Peeling Paint & Collecting Water: Done!

It's done! My eyes are glad.

I didn't go all out on the grass the way I wanted, but I still like it. I think I just got pooped out in the end. My favorite part is the peeling paint...or is it the collected water...

...now to find another nautical scene...

...and thanks again to Liza Carens Salerno for the photo to play with!

The Painting I Interpreted

by Pascal Gentil

Interpreted sounds so much better than copied!

So, here's the image I worked from--see how sneaky I am, not placing them side-by-side in the same post!

This Marlena has a little more chin than I wanted, and although her hair looks a bit matted, that actually fits into the story. Todd voted for prettier hair, so I conceded on that!

Marlena: Complete

...and here's Marlena finished, in all her innocence and exotic beauty. To accompany her is a  a small excerpt from UNCHARTED, when Samuel the shipwright gets his first glimpse of Marlena:

I doubt I would have noticed her at all, except she planted herself right in that place where the sun shot through that hole in the roof, which wouldn’t get fixed for a month. No one had seen the sun for two weeks, but in that moment, it split the clouds, thrust a shard through that narrow fissure, and reflected off every hovering dust particle surrounding her. Filaments of wild curls circled her head like a halo. Even her skirt radiated. I hate to sound like a spiritualist, or worse yet, a romantic, but at first glance, she seemed like an apparition. If not for her quirky suitcase, the size of a tackle box, I might have dropped to my knees.

Tomorrow, I'll post Pascal Gentil's  image that I worked from...

Plein Air Follow-through—More or Less

Well, after all my posturing about getting out of the studio and painting en plein air, I made myself do it! I mean, what could be better than a 70° autumn day in New Hampshire?

I started with a pencil sketch and quickly got bored and my back started aching. Once I sketched out the basic lines, I switched to an indelible black ink marker and wondered why I was even bothering.

The Perfectionist sitting on my shoulder, whispered, “You call yourself an artist? Is that what you call perspective? You haven’t laid down one plum line! And that, after resorting to an eraser!”

“What—you think I can’t see that?” I kept at it, telling myself that I really hate sketching. I was about to abandon my aspiration and simply call it an attempt. Then my Motivational Critic jumped in.

“What! You’re not even going to follow through and break out the paint—Oh, how pathetic are you!”

So, I cracked open my paint. After about 60 seconds, I got bored again and just wanted it to be over with, so started laying down paint more quickly (it dawned on me that this was likely what I should have been doing in the first place).

I shrugged the Perfectionist off my shoulder and heard my MC whisper, “At least you can say you tried and followed through—good for you!”

“But I don’t have to do this again, do I?”

“Well, did you have fun?”

“Not really.”

“Then why do it?”

“I don’t know— It’s such a romantic notion…I just really wanted to be the artist who could whip out my paints anywhere and produce something really stellar.”

“Why?”

“I feel as if I’m stagnating in the studio.”

“Really? But you produce some pretty remarkable stuff in there. You like it—I’ve seen how you study it afterward with satisfaction. Why can’t you be happy with that?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Well, you need to figure that out.”

“Yeah, I know…maybe I’ll carry my paints and tablet around just in case…”

Sigh. “Whatever…” 

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Finished At Last!

Yes, it's true, I'm finally calling it done--not sure that I can't improve upon it, but at this point, I don't care. I simply can't look at it a moment longer. I think the lace was probably more of a challenge than the glass--lace has fewer hard edges and requires more blending. I could have done more, but Todd was constantly over my shoulder saying "Don't overwork it!" As if!

Okay, I did overwork it a tad, but I'm pleased with the results. It is 8" x 10" and I now need a stronger pair of readers...

...so...I've got an idea for my next project...something highly reflective, small and sentimental...but I have to wait for some bright sunlight before I can start it, and in Michigan, well, that could take a while...

Reading & Writing: Finished—Finally!

I almost thought I was going to have to put this on the Projects Waiting page. I guess I just wasn’t in the mood to paint while I was away (I did however get a lot of writing done). When I finally put brush to paper, it didn’t take that long to finish. I know it’s not as dark as the photograph I posted, but it is close to the tone of the one I printed. I kinda wish I had stuck to the darker, but if I don’t compare the two, I like this one just fine. (Comparisons really are evil).

…Now, to design a header from it…

Toy Boat: Complete

Toy Boat is finished, complete with a string to keep a stiff breeze from taking it to the middle of the lake.

It’s always a little tricky getting the colors to scan and post just right—doesn’t really matter I suppose, every monitor’s color calibration is a little different. Just the same, it's worth mentioning that the hues in this version are much closer to my actual painting.

Perhaps tomorrow I will convert it to gray scale and see how it looks as a ‘black and white’ photo…

...So, can you see any difference between the previous stage and this one? If it didn't have the string attached, would it still look like a 'toy' boat?

Just Thought I'd Mention...

...that I updated my watercolor Website with all the projects I've completed here on this blog. Even though I personally designed the Website, I couldn't remember just how I did it all those years ago—okay it's probably only been 4 years—and I practically had to relearn the program, which is why it's taken me so long.

 Anyway, in case you feel like it, here’s the link to JBChicoine.com.


...Oh, and I also updated this blog with some pages, while I was at it...

A Pen & Ink

This is a pen & ink I just completed—actually, it’s a redo of one I did back in the early 1980’s from a photo in an old Vermont Life magazine. My older brother liked it so much that he persuaded me to give it up for $50. That was the first—and only—original artwork I’ve ever sold, reinforcing the notion that I had some talent, and helping to sustain that idea through years of inactivity. Every time I’ve seen it hanging on his wall, when visiting his home in Vermont, I’ve been reminded how much I love the image. I finally decided to do another one for myself. I think it would be interesting to someday compare the two…
For me, it’s such an evocative image that I just couldn’t help write a little something for it…

My Consolation

Shriveled peas roll from my plate, into the pail where several crusts from morning toast await. Three escape into the sink and I chase them around the basin like piglets in a pen. I have trouble locating them as a shard of light pierces the tattered curtain, yet I can feel them, cornered. My fingers are still nimble enough to pinch and so they join the others.

On my way out, I pass her chair, pushed snug against the table. I stroke its back the way I used to caress the handrail as I stepped onto the porch of her parents’ house, my stomach twisting and turning with new love. Her barn coat still hangs from the old iron hook like dainties slung over the shower rod. Although the sight of it burns my eyes each time I come in or go out, I would die but for the yearning.

Then, the screen door slams behind me, echoing off every corner of the barnyard. On cue, they call to me like eager hatchlings waiting for their share.

Spring Orchard: Complete

Well, seriously—I thought I might go blind with this one. Got out my magnifying glass and everything…

I showed it to my Todd, and all he would say was, “Insane!” To which I responded, “Am not!...Okay, well, maybe a bit.”

For your amusement, here’s a ½ by 1¾ inch section of this 10 x 7½ inch painting. And yes, I know I went a little nuts on the dandelions…

Again, thanks To Michelle Davidson Argyle for the photo to work from!

Okay, This Time I Really Mean It...

I know this is obsessive, but I figured out the problem. Her face just seemed a little wide, flat and pale. Her ear placement was a little off, she needed more shading on the underside of her face, her hairline didn’t come over far enough, and she begged more highlighting on her upper cheek. I may be the only one who can see any change, but I feel much better about it now.

Oh, and I shaded the grass a little more at her side…

Cool Grass: Done

I’m not sure how this looks on your monitor, but if it’s anything like mine, the colors in the original aren’t quite as saturated, but still, it’s a fair representation.

Moorings: Finished

Well, it’s done. Finished size: 10"x 15" (Oh my aching eyes!)

It puts me in mind of a scene from my novel, Story for a Shipwright, where Sam Wesley is sitting in the local diner, looking out over the harbor on Sunday morning:

"It wasn’t truly the best seat, but the corner booth, partially overlooking the harbor and a few lobster boats suited me fine. While Billy perused his options, my attention wandered to the boats in the harbor—many of them were out for the day baiting traps, which is all they’re allowed on Sundays, from June through August. I thought about how consistent lobstermen are—they seem to recognize no distinction of day or season, heat or cold, rain or shine. Glancing around the diner, at old lobster traps hung from the ceiling, and picturesque scenes behind glass, I chuckled at how we who live here take their trade for granted. Funny, how tourists romanticize the industry, carrying it home in calendars or placemats, rarely appreciating the sweat that goes into the lobster on their plate."

…and thanks, again, to photographer Doug Wood…

A Finished Self-portrait

I scanned this one in sections, then joined them with success, so the colors are a fairly close representation of the original. (Wish I had a bigger scanner—and printer.)

I have an idea of what I want to paint next, and it’s a rather intense piece. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen behind on a few things, one of which is my querying, (not to mention all the other blogs I’ve been neglecting). So, I’ll take a brief reprieve, clean my house, catch up on some mundane stuff, do some reading, and get back at it…
…hmmm…a nautical scene, perhaps?

Window on Eggemoggin: Done

One of the details I really like on this is the hook at the bottom.

Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to paint next...

WhooHoo! Finished Another!

Okay, this is a pretty big deal for me—I actually finished it in just a few sittings. And, I enjoyed doing it! One thing I don't like is how conspicuous my signature looks. I need to find a more discrete way to sign small paintings; makes me want to wipe it out and do it in a muted color, but I already took the masking tape off (which leaves a sticky film if it's been there for over a year). Oh well, not tonight.

Here’s something even more exciting. I actually have another project in mind. Something brand new and completely different…stay tuned for the entire process…

Finis!

I can hardly believe I actually finished it! Overall, I’m pleased with the result, despite its overworkedness. Normally, I would have focused as much on the background, i.e. the window trim, but Todd told me to leave it alone already—‘the focal point is the subject, not the woodwork!’

One of the problems with allowing a watercolor to sit for over a year, before finishing it, is that the masking tape doesn’t want to let go—and, in a couple spots it didn’t. (And masking fluid has to be gouged off--not good.) Not to worry, I’ll simply matt up to the edge…

I'm being very brave, now, posting the real Susie...(this is where I start feeling very critical—can I call the discrepancies ‘artist prerogative?’)

Now, it’s time to start querying—while I do the big wait between the rejections—perhaps I’ll finish another painting...

Warm Memories

It’s cold and grey today, makes me want to post a whimsical summer painting. This is my dad, and it’s imaginatively titled “Bike Ride.” Bet he feels like he’s ten years old again. Makes me smile every time.

Sweet Dreams

These are two paintings I particularly like for their sedative effect. The cat is our former pet, Junior.
He didn’t show up for breakfast one morning, and our neighbors say probably the coyotes got him—we did actually hear them howling in the cornfields the night before, but that’s too gruesome to even consider.
The fact is, we’re fairly certain he joined the circus.
I don’t know why we didn’t see it coming, given that one of his predecessors did the very same thing. Should have suspected it—I mean, the pinups of kitties in tutus, riding unicycles wearing clown makeup…I guess we were just in denial. For a house or farm cat, circus life is a real lure—he was a stray after all. We don’t blame Junior, but a post card or something would have been nice.

That was years ago—I suppose we should stop hoping.

I found a stray kitten on the roadside recently—we named him Expendable