Cosmetic Ads, in progress

 On the easel:

Cosmetic Ads [in progress]

oil on linen, 24" x 24"

The initial drawing for this composition was done several years ago and floated around the studio until this past August. Why some ideas take much longer than others to coalesce has no obvious explanation but when I looked at the drawing again this summer, the time was finally right. The new drawing below was made:

Cosmetic Ads, drawing #2

2022, pencil on paper with red oxide pastel tone on reverse, 24" x 24"

Unlike my usual process of making numerous preparatory drawings, it was used to transfer the image to canvas. Perhaps a mistake to be so quick. The woman's face on the left, her hair and beret, were the first parts painted. After that I became uneasy with the composition. The right and left halves did not integrate. After several days of contemplation, it became evident that a second woman, overlapping the advertisement was needed. She unites the halves and creates a better visual flow.

Cosmetic Ads drawing #4

2022, pencil on paper with red oxide pastel tone partially on reverse, 8" x 12 1/2"

Cosmetic Ads [detail, in progress]

oil on linen, approx. 11" x 12"

As the painting developed, two more faces - also advertisements - were added in the far background.

Cosmetic Ads [detail, in progress]

oil on linen, approx. 12" x 24"

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Two New Paintings

Since completing Interior at Night last month, I've finished two small paintings: Nauset Beach and Julian's Treatment.  

Nauset Beach

7" x 4"     oil on linen     2013

The first, Nauset Beach, is a relatively simple composition, juxtaposing yellow and blue, and counterbalanced with black. I've always liked working with the basic theme of a bather wearing a cap at the beach and being able to place a strong note of color against a blue field. Here are two more paintings, from 1990 and 1992:

Bather: Lifeguard

4 1/2" x 4 1/2"     oil on linen     1990

Private Collection, Maine

Bather: Gray Day

4 1/2" x 4 1/2"    oil on linen     1992

Private Collection, Massachusetts

The second new painting, Julian's Treatment, originates from a set of drawings about men and women having beauty procedures.

Julian's Treatment

6" x 4 1/4"     oil on linen     2013