"George"

Oil on museum quality Ampersand Gessobord panel  6" x 8"

It's been a while since I was standing at my easel.  A motorcycle trip to upper-state New York and a plethora of domestic stuff have kept me away.  As you know, cold starts scare me, but to paraphrase Professor Higgins " By George, he's got it, I think he's got it."  Apropos, as this venerable Jack Russel is named George.  I have painted more than a few Jack Russel terriers and they have all been wonderfully sweet.  George was no exception.

"In the pit - Dress rehersal for Washington Summer Opera's 2002 production of Ariadne aux Naxos for the June Diana Moses Botkin Artist's Challenge - Chiaroscuro"

Oil on museum quality Ampersand Gessobord panel - 7" x 10"

Quite a title, eh.  I was trying to outdo Turner for longest title.  His "Snowstorm - steam boat off a harbor's mouth making signals in shallow water, and going by the lead." has been imbedded in my brain since Studio class back in '69.  Each week our instructor, Charles Wagner, enlightened us with what he called "The story behind the painting," the back story of various famous paintings through the ages. But I digress.  This month was my turn to pick the theme and I chose Chiaroscuro.  This sketchy little study isn't quite as I had envisioned it in my mind when I chose the challenge.  I was hoping for more Caravaggio and less Lautrec (I should be so good).

Here are my fellow challenge artists work:

"Theological Studies"
Oil on hardboard, 5"x7"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

"Basque Dancer"
oil   7" x 9"

©2012 Mary Maxam

 

Vicki Ross
10x16" Oil on Linen
© V.N.Ross