Still Life #15

4"x 6" original watercolor
$200.00 Contact the Studio

There is something about parts of things
that interest me.  I have said this several times
before but it intrigues me.  I know your eye
will finish the still life.  Love the Shaker crocks. 
These were tall ones setting on the floor.

I managed to mow the lawn, visit my Mom
and have my final track practice plus paint!
Tomorrow is the coaches invitational with lots
of teams we did not run against.  Should be fun!!

Upstate New York

24"x 18" Original watercolor
"Upstate New York"  $1600.    SOLD!!

I had this on my work board for way to long
and I was determined to get it finished so I
can move on.  I finished most of it at the show
on Sunday and a bit yesterday and final touches
today. It is all about the sky, the day was actually
overcast but I wanted it to be dramatic.  I found
this old church while driving around the
New Paltz, NY area.  I am very happy with the
way this painting turned out.
Open to title suggestions...

Wet track meet today with Reynolds (Lancaster).
My kids first experience on a cinder track...
made no difference, boys and girls won!
Thursday is the League meet and then its all
over.

2012 Still Life #14

4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD
I am in a shaker still life mood.

Track practice in the drizzle today. 
This is our last week.

Make plans to see me at the Byers Choice Craft
Show in Chalfont, PA this weekend. 
It is a new show with really good exhibitors.
I have some free passes if you email me I will
send them to you.

Friday check in

My show this weekend is on Sunday, May 6
Held on Sycamore Street in Newtown, PA
My space is #36 between Bill Marsh Ford
and Jefferson St.
11am to 4pm ~ rain or shine!

Track update:
We had two meets this week.
Tuesday was Garden Spot ~ Both boys and girls won!
Thursday was Wheatland ~ Both boys and girls won!
Our boys are undefeated and Girls lost one.
We have one more meet and then the final Coaches
Invitational.  The season flew by.

Also I am pleased to report I managed my bachelorhood
with no issues and Linda came home last night.
Happy to have her back... really happy!

No Fish Today

Chat in progress... No Fish Today.
This is about inspiration.

I think there are building blocks to my inspiration.
First my wife makes sure we take time to
sight see.  Everywhere, all subjects and often.
I take photos for reference everywhere we go, even
if it is just a drive in the country.  I have shoe boxes
of photos and lots more on the computer.  We talk
constantly in our house about what we are seeing. 
For instance, while we are outside Linda will look up
and comment on the shape of clouds and the color of the sky. 
While driving we often  "look" at all the shades of green
in our landscape.  So we make a point to be open to the
inspiration and have a running dialog about it.

Linda often cuts my watercolor paper in the sizes I usually
work in and we will spend a few hours picking out my
next few paintings.  So the are ready for me.  I can walk past
the photo taped to my board and study it, think about it.
Let it get into my head. There is rarely a time my next one
is not setting here ready for me to start.  So I have no dry
times.  I do not wait till one is done to think about what is
next, next is always ready.  I may even have several started
at one time.   I move around in subjects, that keeps me
inspired. 

Another part of the building block is my miniature
Painting A Day.  This has forced me to paint daily and study
subjects and practice and work on pieces that I enjoy not for
their saleability but because I want to.  They may never
turn into large paintings but it helps with my creative
spirit.

Yes, occasionally I wake up and am uninspired,  but
a quick bike ride, a good breakfast and good old fashion
discipline makes me sit at my desk and simply start.
Within a short time I am wrapped up in my painting,

Sunrise

4"x 6" miniature watercolor
SOLD!
I enjoy scenes over the water where you can
trace the line of the sun from the horizon to
the beachline.

Fridays Check in

My first outdoor show is tomorrow
Saturday, 4/28.
It is to be a bit chilly and rain in the afternoon.
I am hoping the weatherman is wrong, I am looking
for sunny skies. The van is packed and we are
ready to seize the day. Heading to Lewisburg, PA

the show:
Lewisburg Market Street Arts Festival
Held on Market Street in downtown Lewisburg, PA
from 10am to 5pm ~ rain or shine!
(my space last year was 43N)

Sunday morning I am dropping Linda at the airport
and she is going with a girlfriend to Vancouver.
I am a bachelor for 5 days. As much of a bachelor
as I can be with my in laws living with me and all
Linda's friends checking in on me! I plan to ride my
bike and stay late at track, that's living it up for me!!

Painters High

I am trying to expand your knowledge on artistic
subjects and give my point of view.
Another article to chat about... "Painters High".
Feel free to read the article first and then come back
to me.

I had to think about this.  I can truly say I get a high,
a feeling of euphoria while riding my bike. Now that
does not hit me until after some point of pain and I
push through it and then feel like I could ride hard and
fast forever.   With that in mind I thought about
how this relates to my creative side.  From a career
perspective when I was a young painter there was more
feelings of frustration.  Paintings not turning out the way
I expected.  My lack of skill interfered with my expectations.  
Combined with the fear of others critiquing my work.  There
was often one break through painting that was ahead of my
learning curve that gave me a thrill, but mostly there was a
feeling of inadequacy.   As the skills improved and I feel
confident (actually very confident!) the fear is gone. Yes gone.
I guess you could say I pushed through the pain.  Now I am not
sure euphoria is what I feel, maybe a notch below euphoria.
Pleased, satisfied, content sometimes proud.
Although I have been known to do a little happy dance when it
all comes together and I know it looks real good. 
I am glad I pushed through the painful years without giving
up.  While I may not get a "high" painters high I do have a
strong sense of well being and contentment.   Yes, interlaced
with whatever life throws at me, occasionally times of low sales
and sometimes feeling like there is not  enough time to
accomplish all I have on my plate,  underling all that I still
mostly feel content, satisfied and pleased.
A bit of a high!

2012 Still Life #13

4"x 6" original watercolor

SOLD!

Shaker buckets, I like the variety of colors.

First time packing the suburban.  I like to have a system

so I know the order going in, much more efficient and

I get much more packed.  Besides all the paintings there

are the tent poles, tent canvas, tarps, 4 heavy weights, chairs,

dolly, box of panel covers, box of stakes and bungees,
box of feet for the display, bag of rain gear, exhibit box
and a ladder.

Getting the blog on early tonight because we are going
to the Hershey Theater to see Human Nation...
a Motown group.

To title or not to title...

I thought I would chat about something today, 
since my painting is not totally finished!
I read an article on "To title or not to Title" 
An interesting article that shows how a title
may influence the viewer.

Thought I would share my personal take on titles...  Personally
for me it is all about painting.    Sometimes while I am painting a
title comes to me but most of the time for me it is the painting
that matters not a title.   I tend to favor the the obscure titles
that require the viewer to ask me what the hang I mean! 
Ones that simply tickle my own funny bone.   Like
"Man Fixin Himself". 
I also like long rambling titles... 
"Trees at Night, During Full Moon in December". 
Which leaves little for you to ponder.
My manager/wife likes short 2-3 word titles that fit easily
on her labels.  She tends to be a bit stuffy with the whole thing,
might I dare say lacking in the humor department! 
But a good business head.

For the daily blogs it is just too much to be that creative
each day so we simply go with the old series... 
"2012 Shaker Series #5".
I also often  ask for clients opinion on titles because
I enjoy seeing your ideas and I think you get a kick
out of it when I go with your suggestion.

I can seriously say I never gave any thought to my
clients not buying my painting because of the title.   And
frankly if your shelling out enough cash I will rename
it for you, I can be bought!!  Just don't tell Linda! 
I think my clients are more savvy than to not buy a
painting because of the title I gave it.   And maybe my
paintings speak for themselves and a title is unimportant.
But maybe I am out of touch with you...
really... what are your thoughts??

On to very important news.  Just got in from a track meet
with Ephrata and both our boys and girls won! 
Doing very well.


email comments:

Andy, or probably Linda reading this,

We have about 12-14 prints and 1 small daily original, and my wife and I sitting here cannot remember the title of a single one. Maybe if we wondered around and looked at them we might remember a couple. Of course maybe it’s an age thing. LOL
I have never thought the title of a piece of art was important.
After all, isn’t there a painting named by the artist called “Arrangement”
I actually had to look up the original name for “Whistler’s Mother.
Just my two cents
Brydon (mike) Lidle

I like short titles for paintings.........allows me to personalize it to "me" (selfish sounding I know)

MBB