Elementals

Back to Elementals…

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It has really been too long since I’ve posted… but, over the holidays I did spend some good time in my studio going back to one of my old and favorite painting styles.

I occasionally feel the pull to go back to my roots of pure watercolor paintings after having spent the last few years exploring my mixture of oils and metallic watercolors. Fueled by this pull and the interest in submitting some work to the upcoming Western Federation of Watercolor Societies annual exhibit in Boise this year, I painted two watercolor abstracts in my “Elementals” style in December.

I rediscovered how a very steady hand is required for painting my Elementals! And how this is mainly achieved through lots of practice and patience, both of which I’ve been a bit out of while painting my oil abstracts. I consider my oil abstracts much more “gestural mark-making” while my Elementals are a more exacting and technical painting process.

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“Three Autumn Trees”, watercolor on paper, 28 x 20 inches.

I painted two Elementals to submit to the Western Fed exhibit, one (above) in a more representational style of autumn trees and the second (below) in a more true abstract style. I submitted both, so we’ll see what response they get!

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“Cliff Dwellings”, watercolor on paper, 20 x 20 inches.

 

TBT: “Purple Day”

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One of my all-time, most favorite paintings I’ve made is “Purple Day”. Finished back in 2005 and sold right here in Portland at the Art in the Pearl festival, I miss this painting every time I think of it.

As an artist, I have many of my own paintings that I rotate on my own walls at home and a few – maybe five – that I consider in my “permanent” collection… “Purple Day” would have been a fine addition to that collection!

Elementals-Purple-Day
“Purple Day”, watercolor, 18 x 18″, 2005. Fine art reproduction prints available at http://www.DavidCastleArt.com

Four Seasons of Trees… Heading Off to Minnesota

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I’ve been working on a commercial office space project for awhile now and have just finished a set of my Four Seasons of Trees fine art reproductions! This project was a set of custom fine art prints on canvas – each is 14″ x 36″, stretched on 1.5″ deep gallery-wrap stretcher bars and finished by hand with my signature metallic highlights. I think this set will look really great in the office they’re heading to in Minnesota!

Be sure to contact me to discuss creating a custom set just for your home or office!

"Four Seasons of Trees", fine art giclee on canvas, 14" x 36" each.
“Four Seasons of Trees”, fine art giclee on canvas, 14″ x 36″ each.

Snapshot 1, Number 4: “Autumn Sunrise – Greenough, MT”

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Today is the last day of my special spring cleaning sales event: Name Your Best Price!

Here’s a closeup of Snapshot 1, Number 4 which is really one of my favorites.  Awesome metallic coppers/golds, rich purples with just a hint of soft, grayish-green.  The coppers are really the hit of this painting, which is inspired by the sun rising at Paws Up Resort in Greenough, MT.  Name Your Best Price and it could be yours!

Visit my blog post here for all of the details on my Name Your Best Price sales event.

Snapshot 1, Number 4; "Autumn Sunrise - Greenough, MT", watercolor on paper (unframed), 16 x 21", regular price $500.
Snapshot 1, Number 4; “Autumn Sunrise – Greenough, MT”, watercolor on paper (unframed), 16 x 21″, regular price $500.

Percolation Complete: My Word(s) for 2013

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I’ve been percolating on my list of words for the new year long enough… I’ve actually known which one is the winner for awhile, but spent some time considering a secondary word to choose, too.  So, considering that 2012 was mostly spent focusing on projects other than my art (moving to Ohio, career researching, caring for my Uncle Jack), I think the perfect primary word for 2013 is: ESTABLISH.  This relates to everything I’ve been planning for my art in the new year… more about how as I progress!

I’ve also decided on a secondary word that relates more directly to the art I will be creating: METALLIC. Many of my fans and collectors know that I’ve used metallic watercolors (and gouache and acrylic) for years, but I really want to explore the range of subtle-to-saturate with purpose.  More on that as I progress, too!

Meanwhile, here’s a just-finished painting in my latest “panes” elementals with some great metallics.

David Castle, "Pyrrol Autumn", watercolor on paper (canvas-mounted), 12 x 12 inches, $250.
David Castle, “Pyrrol Autumn”, watercolor on paper (canvas-mounted), 12 x 12 inches, $250.

I’ve Never Done This Shape Before…

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I have to say this one is pretty unique… I’ve never made a painting in this overall shape of 4 x 12 inches.  I’m not sure why, especially since I’ve had this stretched canvas hanging about my studio for at least 5 years.  I even painted the canvas scarlet years ago, but never made a watercolor painting to mount on it.  Until this week!

I really love this one – I have several projects in progress, but we’ll see if I go off on a tangent to paint more narrow rectangular ones.

Posted to my online DavidCastleArt shop here.  If you love copper and red, this one is for you!

"Five in a Row", watercolor mounted on stretched canvas, 4 x 12 inches, $95.
“Five in a Row”, watercolor mounted on stretched canvas, 4 x 12 inches, $95.

Latest Tree Commission Painting… Finished!

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Here’s one of my summer commission projects… finished and delivered!  My clients love it, so it was a success.  Now that I’m done with my summer projects, I’m on to experimenting for my fall Open Studios and working on ideas for my Winter Sojourn!

"Five Vermont Trees", watercolor on paper (canvas-mounted), 50 x 38 inches.

Painting Progress on a Sunny Day

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Yep, it is “nice” and sunny here on the coast today… I’m making some good progress on two sunset elemental paintings.  The larger one is reds, oranges, greens and purples (and is for C. A., if you’re watching!).  The smaller is for R. R. and will be similar with some good metallic highlights.

Sunset elementals in progress today...

Some Rather “Sparkling” Feedback…

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I received some rather “sparkling” feedback from a client recently.  I love it when folks take time to send me their thoughts after having purchased my art.  And, I especially love it when they have this to say:

My wife Stephanie and I just recently purchased ‘4 seasons of trees’ from you at the Denver Pavilions Art’s Festival.

Your work touches our soul and brings us much enjoyment.  I especially like how the changing light hits the metallic paint and brings the trees alive.  Just outside the window real Aspens quake in the wind.  Your art work is having a dialog daily with them.

 We thought you should know that your passion and talent is appreciated and will be a lasting part of our family.

All the best to you — Art and Stephanie

My "Four Seasons of Trees" fine art print awaiting hand-embellishment.

 

 

What Am I Doing? Or Feeling?

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I’m working on mounting this painting to canvas panels… the whole painting will be a 24 x 64″ triptych.  But I’m feeling alot of “dis” since returning from the Oregon coast: -content, -combobulated, -organized, -energized, -heartened, -engaged… it’s not that I’m not happy, just going through some growing pains right now.

A bit of an Oregon Coast painting - elementals that will become a 24 x 64" triptych.