As you can see by clicking through my website, I haven't done much in the way of still life paintings. This demonstration is of a magnolia blossom I decided to paint one afternoon. I think it is important to break the routine, and paint something different every once in a while. At least for me it is important. It helps to keep me excited about painting. The last thing I want is to start feeling bored.
So, I encourage you to take part of a day coming up and break the routine. That may be painting a portrait rather than a landscape, paint a miniature painting rather than a huge canvas, perhaps do a pastel painting rather than acrylic. Whatever it may be, set out to break the cycle for a short time period. Don't worry about failure...just HAVE FUN!
That's what I did in this painting. I hope you enjoy watching. Let me here your thoughts! If you would like to purchase this painting, click here.
This is a painting of Delicate Arch, which is located in Arches National Park, just outside of Moab, UT. I hope you enjoy watching this video which shows me completing this painting. This piece is available for sale. I would be happy to answer any questions, and am glad to make arrangements for a private viewing if you are interested in adding this painting to your collection.
I live in Dunedin, Florida, which sits on the central gulf coast. There is a fabulour state park in my town, Honeymoon Island. There you can find nature trails, pristine beaches which have not been polluted by commercial establishments, and even a dog beach. Sitting just off Honeymoon Island is Caladesi Island, which was voted the #1 beach in America in 2008. Needless to say, I frequent this place often, and it has been the inspiration for a number of my paintings.
A few months ago, I was walking the nature trail with Oakley, my black lab. We were fortunate enough to come across a pair of nesting bald eagles. After a little bit of patience, I was able to take some amazing pictures which is what led to this painting.
If you would like to see how this painting came to life, you can watch me paint it in the video below. Let me know what you think!...and as always...enjoy!
Here is my most recent pastel painting. This is a small 5" x 7" painting I did on a piece of masonite. It is a plein aire painting, meaning I painted it out at this actual location and not in my studio from reference material.
Is this the most powerful painting I will ever complete? No. But, you know what...? It doesn't have to be. For us artists, painting can bring on many different emotions. Happiness, calmness, frustration, satisfaction, even disappointment. We all set out to create the best art we can, but we can't lose sight of what strikes a chord within us. I feel it is important that sometimes we allow ourselves to focus more on the experience than the actual painting.
That's what I did in here. Am I happy with it? Yeah. However, what gave me the most reward was that I was able to sit back, feel the ocean breeze, listen to the water, and feel the sun on my skin while letting my hands work across the board. It was more about all the sensations I was experiencing than the end result. Some pieces end up being more for the artist than anyone else. Hopefully this, at least in part, put you in the same place that I got to enjoy!
Here is a small oil painting I recently finished. It was done on masonite, and it measures 5" x 7". You can follow the link below to watch a time lapse video on youtube.com of me actually completing this painting from start to finish. I hope you take a second to check it out.
You know, I never get tired of seeing the sunset, and it never has any less of an impact on me. That was why I titled this painting, "This Never Gets Old". This is a sunset I watched near my house at Clearwater Beach, Florida. I've painted many sunsets before, and simply sat and watched thousands. However, each and every one is incredible and I never get tired of seeing it. Hopefully this painting has captured some of that magic for you.
This is one of my "table top" paintings, and can be purchased here: http://artbygregneal.com/works/311402 . It is a great opportunity to add an original painting to your collection for what I believe most would agree is a reasonable price. But, most importantly....just enjoy!
