Repainting an Earlier Work

I've always been fond of "Blueboy with Yellow Dog". My first painting memory was when my grandmother gave me a paint by number of the Blue Boy by Gainsburough. The first work I did was sort of rushed for an impending show in 98. My 2nd attempt has taken longer and I decided it should have some elements of the paint by number style. Working away on this painting gave me another chance to look at Gainsburough's style and his use of dark and light. A long time ago I had an instructor who actually made us copy a painting from the "Old Masters" school. At the time I was anxious to get on to my own work, but this time around it was a great experience! I highly recommend this exercise in painting. Also, I'm sure G. wouldn't mind the addition of a dog as that is what I mostly paint anyway.

painting in winter

January in my new studio. Trying to get some painting time....Every day I take my white shepherd and my new blind dog (adopted from a local shelter) on a walk through this amazing wood land that follows a north/south train track. Everyday the landscape changes....even in winter. We moved from Kansas City to a small rural town about 30 miles north of KC for just such a daily experience. The quiet is only broken by geese overhead and an occasional train racing by loaded with coal. I'm trying to do a drawing of this landscape every day.
Jan 01,2008

the winter landscape

Today the planet I remember is back. There is green grass, muck, mud, bare trees, some evergreens, and the pavement dry underfoot. The landscape has been so white and treacherous for dog walking, it was easy to forget the landscape as it usually is.
Cleaning up my art files and actually painting has been side tracked for a few days, but I'm back and actually doing a little work on painting new stuff anyway. Painting might be a way of avoiding organizing paintings I've already done! My next project is to figure out how to put a photo in the blog. Jan. 6 2008

Cleaning up the Files

Jan 1, 2007
Last nite I spent hours trying to capture all of the photos of paintings I've created. Much duplication and clever (at the time) dual naming of paintings. I also found some good intentions projects that just are not going to turn into anything in my future, so I dumped the movies and other ideas that seemed dooable at the time. Now when I look at records, I won't find those unfinished projects just staring back at me. What a relief.

reviewing and reworking my art

After moving all of my art 3 times in 2007, I am ready to begin painting and organizing what I've already painted, written or sketched. This new year will be the first time I believe I've actually looked at each piece I've done since perhaps as long ago as 1956. I have a newly built studio in a small town, Weston, in Missouri. I have been in gallerys in Kansas City since 1990. I've painted my whole life. For the first time, I feel that I can review the past and work toward the future. Some of my work is available for viewing at artbymariemason.com.
I mean to update that site and this writing as I move along in to the present.
I am posting one painting that I've brought to completion in my new space.