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