There are times that I feel the need to "revisit" one of my themes. When my painting is completed , I often think about all of those "what ifs". Above is a painting that is a result of me thinking I would like to try the subject matter again. This floral is a full sheet painting and gave me the opportunity to do some thinking about how to manage my space, my hues, my shapes- etc. I have to be careful about the direction I take my work. While painting in this technique, I constantly must remind myself to be consistent in the treatment of my subject. These paintings take me longer to do because I have no mental reference or past experiences with my subject matter. I hope that this painting encourages you to think a little more abstractly.

Today, I visited the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, located in Lancaster, Ohio. I would encourage everyone to visit the current exhibit(Ends April 8). It is concerned with paper. This particular exhibit has pieces that would undoubtedly intrigue all ages. I regretted that I did not have my grandson with me. The exhibit would appeal to mathematicians, scientists, artists. While there is some attention to oragami there is a much bigger focus on how paper can be manipulated.
If you have not visited this museum the beautiful historic building is also worth the visit.

I continue to encourage everyone to visit downtown Lancaster, Ohio and visit the 5 Museums open to the public.

This landscape is titled "Fields". By now, I hope that you realize the importance of patterns to me. There are many patterns to be found in nature. And my friend Diane is aware of the many different patterns found in math. You probably are aware of patterns in your environment. I, intentionally, do not want my patterns to be so hard edged that they look mechanical. I want them to look more fluid. I want that "human" look to my work. I try to show you things in a new "light". The colors are a response to the earth and that which grows from it and eventually dies and returns back to the earth. I have used curvilinear shapes at the top of the composition as a way to contrast the lines in the bottom two thirds of the composition. The lines vary in direction, hue and size to help add more interest to the surface pattern. The next time you are driving look at all the patterns that you see. If you are going to be a true artist, you are going to become a good observer of all that is around you. Here's to good looking you!

Just as Craig Ferguson asks at the end of his late night show, "What have you learned tonight Craig?" after blogging about my paintings I, too, have learned more about my work. I have discovered that the circle is a very important element in my work. I enjoy painting pine trees because of the gestural quality of the lines used to create them. I like winter more than the other seasons because winter permits me to show more structurally. I enjoy using subjective colors as opposed to local color. If my painting is a narrative it is often influenced by experiences of my youth. I find work that attempts to imitate, precisely, images that I have seen to be a stressful adventure. While I admire the technical skill of the photo realist, my first response is "it looks just like a photograph". Beyond the technical skill,what has the artist brought to his work? Painting a commission makes me very nervous. Seldom are thoughts of the patron removed from my decision making process. I have learned a great deal with a great deal more to learn.

I have been having a good time painting. This particular painting is for all of my friends who expect a more traditional appearance to my work. I have a "love-hate" relationship with my paintings. When I'm having a success, obviously there is nothing like painting. When my painting doesn't work, I dislike the fact that I could not pull off what my vision. Right now- I'm in love. Have a great day!

What inspires me? Maybe it's a new brush, a compass, a color combination. When I start my piece, I want that sense of adventure. I have a need to interact with the painting. What does this hue look like next to that hue? When I add a color in one place, where then might I use it again? How much of one hue do I use? How little of another hue do I use? When I use a shape, shall I repeat it somewhere else in the composition? How does my eye move about the piece? Does it maintain my interest? Does it show me something in a new way? Did I do too much? These are just a few of my concerns as I create my work. I hope that they maintain your interest and create some type of reaction to the individual pieces. Have a great day!

I am about to get back down to the serious business of creating new work. As I get older my priorities have changed. If given the opportunity to spend quality time with our kids and their kids or painting- I choose the kids. So we have traveled back and forth from Cincinnati to Bexley. There is something about having the opportunity to experience being surrounded by small children one more time. There is that innocence, the sharing of seeing the world for the first time through their eyes. There's experiencing all those places and things that as adults we take for granted. They have no great expectations of me- all I have to do is love them. The artist in me would like all of my viewers to be treated to visual pieces that permit them to see the world through my eyes. I hope that my "children" will bring some of you that same sense of discovery, joy and love.

Here is one of my"children".

I'll bet that you thought that I had "Moo"ved on from creating my blog. I have been very busy. I just finished my last summer show this past weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio. If I should ever stop doing these shows, I would be very sad. They are my opportunity to interact with other artists and get responses from the viewing public. While making money is a plus, the real value is that sense of self-worth that the comments create. Many people visit these shows to interact and learn from the participating artists. As a former classroom teacher and a thirty year veteran of street fairs, I enjoy every exchange with the visitors to the different fairs. So thank you for a season of encouragement and enlightening conversations. I do appreciate them!

Today's painting is a good segue into reminding you that the Fairfield County Fair begins this Sunday and continues through the following Saturday. This county fair, the last in the state of Ohio, is a joy to attend. The grounds are located only a few blocks from my home, making it within walking distance. The time of year, the setting, the agricultural exhibits, the fair food and the rides make it a trip that anyone would enjoy. The first Sunday the admission to the grounds is free. I encourage you to visit our "fair" city- Lancaster, Ohio.

Inspired by my love of patterns, this piece creates the "lay of the land" in a non-traditional manner. It is my hope that I have created a sense of movement and rhythm in this painting.

Note to all viewers of this blog all work shown to date has been sold. I have one show left this season. In October I will be at Cincinnati Hyde Park. I would like to thank all of you for making my year successful. I am taking time off to "restock" and enjoy my great family. With each painting I have expanded my knowledge of my medium and gained a better insight into my thought processes. Creating art is a very rewarding and personal experience. Once I have more paintings I will again share . If you are a fellow painter, "Happy Painting!" To my followers, "Thank you for your interest."

It's a Thursday morning and I have just finished another painting. We are gearing up for our final three outdoor shows. The season has been good for us. I think that we are ready to call it a season. While I love painting, the production of a quantity of paintings each week to sell is at times very difficult. In working in this fashion, I find success and I find failure. The failure through the years has become easier to deal with- I can look at the painting and say that it doesn't work and begin again. So as I leave for the day I hope that each of you realize that there are going to be failures and that we each move on in search of success. Have a great weekend. See at Salt Fork.

We just finished hanging 32 pieces of work for the annual art walk in downtown Lancaster. For this 12 day exhibit, I have included many pieces that have never been shown. It is always exciting to get reactions about new work. Because of the great diversity of my work, I often hear ,"Did the same person do all of these?". I reply that it is curiosity that fosters the many different appearances of my work. While I enjoy working with all of the basics, I do not want the my of paintings to be photographic. There is the need to go beyond the mastery of watercolor techniques. I want to bring something to my paintings that fosters independent thought. This need is the starting point for the real adventure in painting. For me, it takes real courage to create images that are not traditional in their appearance. Creating images that "look real" is a measuring stick that I could and should learn to live without in my painting. I hope that this blog serves as documentation that I do,indeed, possess skills of watercolor mastery and that my search for self through experimentation is a continuous process. I have been fortunate that my followers have encouraged this exploration. Sooooo......Paint on Ed! Paint on!