L.A.Grit

M.C. Escher: MIGRATION MAY 14, 2012

http://www.thomasvanstein.net/thomas-van-stein-blog/
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See you soon, hopefully.

In the Spirit of Steve McQueen, On a Metisse April 1, 2012

 Steve McQueen;  a, "Man's Man," riding a Husqvarna

Ever since I was a kid I've been fascinated with the concept of dirt bike riding. One of my heroes was Steve McQueen who raced through the streets of San Francisco in, "Bullet",  around the track in, "Le Mans", or jumping his motorcycle over barbed wire fences in, "The Great Escape".  I am ecstatic to share I've been commissioned to paint a number of paintings inside the Metisse Motorcycle FactoryOxford, England. Years ago, Metisse made a desert racing motorcycle especially designed for and named after McQueen. Today, they are in process of completing the prototype of a racing bike named after his son, "Chase".
 

Well, what's in a name? In this case, the legacy and quality behind the products produced by Metisse, speaks for itself, and the legacy of the legend of Steve McQueen continues into the 21st Century. 

I never thought my art career would move in this direction, but as a result of staying "open",  this opportunity has landed in my lap. I leave tomorrow for what will be my twelfth journey to Europe.


My technical approach will be to try to steer clear of photo realism;  handle the subject matter in a more painterly, and expressive way, and have fun while doing it.  I am looking forward to staying out in the Cotswolds, where when I am not painting in the factory,  I will get to experience and paint the quintessential English landscape, it's timeless rolling hills, hedgerows, and cottages with thatched roofs, seen in the 17th Century Landscape paintings by John Constable.


Once again, my child within is being paid to play.

Steve McQueen riding on his Metisse Desert Racer

Derek and Don Rickman creators of the Legendary Metisse Brand

Welding room at the Metisse Factory

The "Chase" Metisse under construction

Harry Erskine welding at Metisse

The "Chase" Metisse nearly completed.

Ice Moon Cometh, Homer Alaska March 27, 2012

All I know it it was freezing cold (15 degrees F). but I was there to paint aloneness. Eringer and I had traveled to this remote destination to capture the surreal depth of desolation.


Out on the Homer Spit, nothing was moving except the wisping fog and lapping waves on the shore.


The rocks I stood on were black and Orca in shape, and I did my best not to slip on the ice that covered them while painting.


My -140 degree boots from Cabellas, made all the difference in my attitude to stick it out, and paint away. I added extra linseed oil into my paints (adding viscosity); in order to keep them from freezing


One has to be like leather when painting in this weather.


the Ice Moon Cometh
10x14 oil/board

Collection of Robert Eringer
Surreal Bounce 

The American Flag March 25, 2012

When traveling with Robert Eringer, on one of our Surreal Bounce Journeys, I captured on film, this Bald Eagle; perched like a postage stamp on top of this flag pole. Old Glory waving proudly with resolve through the damp and bleak breeze. 

Eringer and I traveled to Homer, Alaska in the dreary cold of Mid Winter, to try to experience the concept of  "Aloneness".  It was indeed dreary and desolate, yet expansive on many levels.  However, nothing was more heartwarming than to witness this sight as we arrived the Homer Spit.

www.surrealbouncers.com 

New Vincent Van Gogh Painting Discovered, Confirmed: March 20, 2012

It's always good to view a new work by an OLD MASTER.

This photo provided by the Kroeller Mueller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 20, 2012, shows a painting entitled "Still life with meadow flowers and roses" by Vincent van Gogh.

 My understanding; is it takes at least five Authority Figures on a particular artist, all to concur that a discovered painting belongs to that particular artist, before it is declared an original.

Looks like this one passed the test. 

I am amazed at the craftsmanship and composition, the muted tones, and light which Van Gogh captured in a timeless manner. Even though the painting is mellowed with age, the arrangement still feels fresh, and pure like they were gathered only a moment ago.

I am excited for the world, and recall the day I hopped over the barrier at Van Gogh's Asylum of St. Paul de Mausole, and laid my bones in Van Gogh's bed. 

I did what I could, just to get into his head!

Surreal Bounce Journey: An Ear in Provence. Photo: Robert Eringer
See my blog post: A Huge Presence in a Small Bed. May 20, 2010

 

 

Sunday Service; St. Marks March 18, 2012

Moon Over St . Marks  8x6 oil/board

A few years ago I went on a Surreal Bounce Journey with Robert Eringer, and his imaginary friend, up to a little hamlet North of Santa Barbara called, Los Olivos. We traveled there to view the full Lunar Eclipse. The town has a, "No Street Lights" ordinance making the evening skies more enjoyable to view. This was one of three sketches I did that evening waiting for the big event.

The Blue Rider Vase of Flowers: Water Color Demonstration #8 March 15, 2012

Blue Vase of Flowers,  Water Colors

Teaching day: Working in watercolors with the wet on wet paint application, and the use of a single one-inch sponge brush.  The objective is to restrict the variety of color variations; and limiting the palette to a cool blue harmony.  All colors will be influenced by a some quantity of blue.

The Blue Rider  bu  Franz Marc

This is nothing original: 20th Century Expressionists France Marc and Wassily Kandinsky created paintings motivated by the colors based on this Blue Harmony...

Now, just put on some Rythem and Blues,  mix yourself a Bombay Sapphire Blue Martini, and then paint away the blues!

Watercolor Demonstration #7 Harmony in Yellow March 14, 2012

Vase of Flowers    14x11    water color on paper

Color Exploration: Harmony in Yellow.

The challenge: how to create a painting where all the colors have some quantity of yellow as an ingredient. 


Collection of the artist 

The Abstract Impulse March 12, 2012

Every representational painting begins with an abstract statement; poetic marks coming together in harmonious relationships. 


The Zen-like philosophy of saying more with less; one brush stroke instead of 50, is one way of insuring a lasting, lively vitality of a painting.


Pushing the paint around while using a large brush instead of a small one, also serves an artist technically; to let go of control, and make bigger statements. 


Using an abundance of paint; with some colors mixed on the palette, and some mixed directly on the canvas, is another way which is bound to invite greater possibility of accidental brush strokes emulating a glimpse of genius.


Get out of the way, be the channel for the life force to create through you, and beyond you.  Merely witness the process and celebrate the dance with paint.  

But remember, if one works too long, too fast, or too hard into their subject, the  original lively poetic abstract may turn in to a labored thesis that is prophetically painted in prose.

www.thomasvanstein.net

Sunday Service, Santa Cruz Island March 11, 2012

Moon  Over the Cross, S.C.I.  10x8 oil  2002

I found this JPeg of a painting I created around ten years ago when I went out to Santa Cruz Island to paint with the OAK Group. It's an honest rendition of the Moon, high over the giant red cross that rests on the grassy hill just above the Stanton Ranch.


For all I know the cross has been out there on the island since the 1860's, from a time when people lived more religiously and relied on the hope of God's support and guidance: they weren't afraid to see this symbol as a guiding light.


In the 21st Century, this symbol is offensive to many, and I am sure the ACLU would like to abolish it as Santa Cruz Island (except for the Stanton Ranch), is now controlled by the National Park Service.  

As an artist who sometimes lives life on the edge, the cross and what it symbolizes keeps and has kept me from going over the ledge.

Moon Time March 8, 2012

Silvery Moon Light  12x9 oil/panel 2009

This little nocturne, painted alla prima, was a demonstration for a Nocturne Painting Workshop I taught through University of California Santa Barbara, a couple of years ago. It was donated to the Scottsdale Artist School for their annual fund raiser.

Plein Air Painting in Adverse Conditions March 3, 2012

Blustery with occasional showers. only around 1/3 of the class showed up to paint the vista from Overlook Park in Summerland, (near Santa Barbara). It wasn't so bad. I found if we set up about 15 feet back from the bluff face the wind would pass over us, making it relatively comfortable.  It was a cold wind though, and those with thin skin checked out early.

My demo came out o.k.. I feel I got a good start on it; that is, until I walked away...  I left the painting unattended to go help a student, when the wind blew my easel over, causing a little bit of change to the texture of the clouds at the top of the painting. Fortunately,  all totally fixable.  Part of being an artist is knowing how to deal with the matter at hand, and to correct things that are out of place.


To quote Richard Bach, "There are not problems; only opportunities to be creative!"

The Pelican Brief March 1, 2012

Birds of a Feather

 In the last few days there's been a flying phenomenon of feathery friends gliding in formation up the coast. Weather it is part of a winged migration due to a mild winter in Southern California, or an aviary  invasion, these prehistoric looking pterodactyl are a sight to behold. 


Transcending time; linking millenniums, teaching through metaphor. 


One gets it if they listen...

Flock together

www.thomasvanstein.net

Plein Air Painting, View from Rincon February 27, 2012

Afternoon Light, Rincon  12x16  oil/canvas

A nice sunny day along the bluff top, I painted this for my art class as a demonstration painting, capturing the Southern California Light.


The painting will be on exhibit at the upcoming Winter Quarters Exhibition at the Chris Dentzel Gallery, in Santa Barbara. Opening Wednesday February 29, 2012

www.thomasvanstein.net 

Atmospheric Perspective, Santa Barbara February 26, 2012

View from Vedanta 12x17  oil/board  2012

View from Vedanta
The Vedanta Temple in Montecito offers a commanding vista toward Santa Barbara, as well as a mellow space for meditation.


Demonstration painting for my plein air painting class "Light and Shadow in Art". This painting will be on exhibit for the upcoming show, Winter Quarters at the Chris Dentzel Gallery
Santa Barbara; opening February 29, 2012

www.thomasvanstein.net

Winter Quarters Art Exhibition February 25, 2012

Clarence Hinkle's View  9x12

National Academy member Clarence Hinkle (1880-1860) lived in Santa Barbara
from 1935-1960. He taught at the Art Center in Los Angeles, and influenced many contemporary artists such as Santa Barbara OAK GROUP member, Meredeth Abbott.  

Last November I was invited to take my class to his former home/studio,  by it's current resident; artist, Priscilla Fossek, to view his studio (which is now her studio) and yard where he'd painted many a masterpiece. I wanted to give the class the opportunity to get close to the "spirit of a master," and paint from a perspective rarely seen by the general public and/or those who appreciate art history.



Winter Quarters Art Exhibition

February 29-June 29
Chris Dentzel Gallery
828 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara

(805) 962-5030

Preview Evening Wednesday February 29, 2012 5-8pm

First Thursday Opening: Thursday March 1, 2012 5-8 pm

Winter Quarters Art Exhibition February 24, 2012

Winter Light,  Butterfly Beach 9x12 oil

Butterfly Beach Demonstration Painting.


I love painting at Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara, especially because it is so popular; everyone considers it to be, "Their Beach".


This is the finished Demo from (see my Blog from Ground Hogs Day: February 2, 2012

It will be on exhibit next week at the Chris Dentzel Gallery,  in the Winter Quarters Art Exhibition.

Winter Quarters Art Exhibition

February 29-June 29
Chris Dentzel Gallery
828 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara

(805) 962-5030

Preview Evening Wednesday February 29, 2012 5-8pm

First Thursday Opening: Thursday March 1, 2012 5-8 pm

Winter Quarters Art Exhibition February 19, 2012

Winter Surf 6x9  oil/board

Quick gestural sketch of the California Surf off Arroyo Burro Beach, Santa Barbara


It was my demonstration painting for my class "Light and Shadow in Art"
Painted February 8, 2012.

I dedicate this post to my long time buddy Steve Taraldsen, who is battling enormous  waves of adversity; get well soon my friend. Hold Fast!



Winter Quarters Art Exhibition

February 29-June 29
Chris Dentzel Gallery
828 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara

(805) 962-5030

Preview Evening Wednesday February 29, 2012 5-8pm

First Thursday Opening: Thursday March 1, 2012 5-8 pm

Winter Quarters Art Exhibition February 22, 2012

Winter Sunset 9x12  oil/board 2012

Winter Sunset from above Tunnel Road.
The Sun sets incredibly fast in the winter; one must paint quickly to capture the fleeting light over Santa Barbara.