Portrait of Poet Carl Dennis

A while back I attended a poetry reading given by Pulitzer Prize winning American poet Carl Dennis, and I had the foresight to bring along a sketchbook. During the reading I was entranced by his emotive voice and body postures, so found myself taking the opportunity to capture the moment. I enjoyed the entire artistic experience.

   "Carl Dennis Poetry Reading" by Tree Pruitt

  For fun recently I used that sketch to paint this small portrait of the poet onto 5" x 7" canvas board, (signed as T. E. Pruitt), using Liquitex Artist Paints. I'm glad to show it to you and I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks!

*About Carl Dennis 

 

"Carl Dennis Poetry Reading" by Tree Pruitt © 2011. Contact the artist prior to ANY use.

 

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Whispering Buddha

 Yesterday, I sat before the easel with an empty little canvas panel to give brush strokes the freedom to create a design from within. It could have become anything it wanted, yet what my inner self chose to portray was a serene image of the Buddha; I like that just fine. The canvas size is just a wee 4" by 5".

Whispering Buddha, by Tree Pruitt

I began with a pale parchment colored acrylic paint in lazy crossed strokes with a half inch paintbrush. The design has no symmetry, with everything being slightly out of balance to add the feeling of motion when standing in front of the painting; This also expresses the spiritual concept of individual portions creating a balanced whole. I moved to using Titanium White paint, without wiping the brush, and picked up a tiny bit of Thalo Blue (blue shade) to allow natural mixing. Using smaller brushes, I added a tiny bit of Purple and acrylic gel medium for blending. Areas of acrylic paint that do not have gel medium added will drag and sort of pull on a brush loaded with straight acrylic paint. Adding a bit of the gel medium will make the paint slide over previous layers and more translucent, depending on the amount used. The slight shade of yellow to the Parchment color mixed well with Titanium White and the Thalo Blue to create a soft Blue-Green Turquoise for the deepest shadow areas. To play off of that Blue-Green, and add some more warmth, I used a touch of Cadmium Red for the bindi spot over the third eye, and softer still in the cheek bone shadows. Thick strokes of Titanium White add a further sense of motion and greater depth overall for a small painting that glow from all the way across the room.

It's been terribly difficult for me to capture the brightness of this painting in a photograph. This is one of those pieces that really does look better in person. Perhaps I'll try shooting again on a day with better light. I really enjoyed painting in these subtle tones though, so I will likely continue despite having a hard time showing them to you at best.

Visit my Fine Art store for this and other new paintings.

*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Purple Poppies Painting Method

Purple Poppies is an original small floral painting from acrylic paint and watercolor pencil. Loosely rendered purple poppy flowers and buds, in various states of open, rest in a sunny flowing landscape created by carefully controlled drips and thick wet brush strokes of paint. The composition was first sketched in with watercolor pencils. For this method I prefer using Faber-Castell's Albrecht Durer pencils because of the smooth flowing texture of the lead, which is a bit softer than other brands, and the rich pigments; In particular, a certain blue and an orange will stain a canvas and won't rinse totally away with water washes. I apply heavy wet strokes of acrylic paint, allowing the brush to dig slightly into the watercolor under-drawing. Then added drops of water will naturally follow a path through the thick paint to the watercolor, creating drips that cut through layers while coloring the exposed canvas surface underneath. When thinned acrylic paint dries it can often look chalky, but it's easy to remedy the lifeless surface with a coat of acrylic varnish (I use Liquitex brands) which brings out a glossy richness. It's an exciting, fast paced way to paint that always yields results with character.

"Purple Poppies", 5"x 7" canvas panel board.

This somewhat rare flower was historically used in hallucinogenic rituals by the "Minoan" civilization on Crete and represents the Greek God Morpheus, overseer of visions and dreams.




*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Contemporary Obama

When I finished this small portrait painting of the US President I wondered about the expressions it may reveal to individual viewers. Introspection aside, I enjoy painting and drawing faces in this Cubist sort of style because of the expressive tension it seems to offer. This new piece is painted in artist quality acrylics on a four inch by five inch canvas board. Warm, rich colors create the face while the ebony hair holds a touch of cool grey for a painting dynamic enough to speak out from a small size format. Signed as ,"Tree" in the lower right corner.

*The original painting is no longer available, but please check my links for print options.

 Geometric Cubism applied to a portrait of the United States President Barack Obama. Original 4" x 5" acrylic paint on unframed canvas board, by Tree Pruitt.


*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Empty Faithful Painting

Empty Faithful, or Inanis Fidelia, is a 16 by 20 inch acrylic painting still life on thick gallery wrapped canvas just off of the easel. The thickness of the canvas support helps lend a feeling of depth to the three vases on a corner cabinet shelf.

Click image to open a larger version for viewing.

An image of an empty vase in iconography represents the human soul awaiting to be filled with spiritual energy and enlightenment, or assention even, and here the qualities of stoneware is a reflection of souls who have passed on returned to the Earth for a rebirthing of the Spirit. The title of the painting is written on the back side in both English and Latin too as, Inanis Fidelia. "Inanis" is the empty void of soul. The word "fidelia" means an earthenware pot or vase; I have perhaps taken artistic liscence in joining these words to fit my need. This painting has a great deal of texture and subtle color varitation that was hard to capture in a photograph, but I do hope visitors here will enjoy viewing it and the new owner will cherish the painting in her home.

-- Tree

Above; a closer view.

The above image shows the canvas edges that are thick and painted to resemble the rustic display cabinet that is holding the vases.    

*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Wrapped In Red Painting Progress

I started this canvas painting of a woman wrapped in red fabric near the end of Summer and have been casually working it along. It's not a portrait, in fact there's no real reference image being used, and there's really no hidden symbolism involved; it's a fictitious scene of decorative art simply for the pleasure of painting. I'd like it to have a sensual feel of feminine energy - a boudoir - without being overtly sexual.

"Wrapped In Red"

The images above show a very early stage, taken in day light, and also the results of my painting session this evening. It's an exercise, as each painting is in truth an exercise of one sort or another. Without a live model, or reference photos, it's been difficult to remember to be mindful of light sources and reflections, but I'm confident it will come around in the end. The most important factor for myself is that I was able to really relax while painting and allow the image to grow without too much worry of what's "correct". It's clear to see that a long necklace of pearls has been added, as well as definition to the eyes. The painting hanging on the wall within the room is a representation of my "The Ragnar Waits", which is an oil painting of a boat dock. Peacock feathers stand out on the background dresser, adding an air of romance, yet always to myself a symbol of the mystic female; the eye of the Goddess. There's much more to be done, but I'm happy with the progress I've made thus far.

*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Latest in Dance with Moon ACEO Series

The figures in my playful Dance with the Moon ACEO Series are created spontaneously through free movement of the media; I let the images happen in the moment, without an under-drawing. Thick paint strokes make up the first two in the series, but for the third card I allowed Prisamcolor Pencils to have some of the fun. Card #3 is a tree filled landscape scene created from wild lines and vivid colors.

Visit an earlier post here to learn more about the series, including what inspired them. See all of the available cards in my new Artfire Studio. Each Dance with the Moon ACEO painting will remain OOAK, having no reproductions made now or in the future, and includes an acid free Strathmore paper envelope with a clear sleeve protector.

ArtistTree Buy Handmade

*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Dance with the Moon ACEO Painting Series

I've been enjoying painting a series of ACEO's (miniature art cards) based upon the theme of dancing naked in the moonlight. One of the first things new neighbors will ask upon learning that I'm a Pagan is, "Are you gonna dance around naked under the Full Moon"? I generally reply with a chuckle, and explain that not all Pagans or Wiccans skip around nude (though I might) and usually don't do it at all in open suburban backyards. Each time the question is posed I get the sense that folks might wish -- just a little bit -- that they could be so open as to dance naked with the Moon, so I began this series of quick little paintings in honor of letting that wild spirit break free!

Shown above is card #1 Dance with the Moon, which features a long haired woman stretched back in motion. She's shaping energy for magic between her hands, while a naked branched tree watches from a hill in the landscape background. The painting is almost abstract in style, with thick brush stroke texture, which lends to the sense of motion in dance. Each in the series will have a similar style with a dancing figure, the Full Moon, and may or may not have a tree in the scene. Each painting should stand well alone as an individual, but a group together would create a coven of dancers in motion; should be cool!

I'll be adding card #1 to my fine art store soon for purchase. Each card is made with acrylic paint on quality Strathmore water color paper. They'll come with a clear protective sleeve and also a black edge top loader frame. I hope visitors enjoyed viewing this peek at the first Dance With The Moon painting and will come back again to see the next two cards in the series.





*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Shorebirds painting & ACEO print

Though I no longer live in the Pacific Northwest, I still keep tabs on my old home of Hoquiam Washington. While visiting the city website I was reminded that the Spring shorebird migration has recently past for this year.

My first encounter with the migrating shorebirds in coastal Washington State inspired a small painting years ago that the Spring season brings to mind.
Though at first glance, "Shorebirds Feeding" may seem like an abstract painting, a longer inspection reveals the swirling forms of birds and beaks. When the tawny brown birds twist in the sunlight their bodies throw back a myriad of muted color by reflection and shadow, adding to an illusion of abstraction. The original painting is on 9" x 12" mounted canvas and is acrylic paint. The collectible ACEO mini print of "Shorebirds Feeding" (shown at left) is printed with Fuji inks on Kodak paper and is the standard ACEO size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches (baseball card sized).

I used to live only but a short walk to where the new viewing platforms have been built for this annual migration where thousands of long billed birds stop over at the Grays Harbor estuary to fatten up before heading off to the Arctic. When we rented our house there we had no idea it was such a prime location for an artist slash naturalist! I compared sea weed to algae, sketched ship wreck debris, collected lichen, studied wildlife tracks, painted misty mountain views, and walked alone with my dogs among the shorebirds. Now, according to the City of Hoquiam website, "People from around the world come to view this event of hemispheric importance. The Shorebird Festival works to bring people together for this incredible natural phenomenon."

What, you may ask, is so incredible about a bunch of birds? First, let me say, you really have to experience the event to gain the full impact. My personal experience involves a simple walk along the rocky beach. Other than my dogs and an occasional seagull there wasn't a creature to be seen on the shore. One bird with a funny long beak landed nearby. Then, before I could even get a good look at the first, I was immersed in a cloud of birds! Thousands of birds suddenly appeared at once, swarming after bugs (eat your heart out Alfred Hitchcock)! At times I could only catch glimpses of the dogs because the layer of birds was so thick. That, my friends, is an amazing experience! I can't say that everyone visiting the Shorebird Festival will have such a close encounter with the feathered kind, but a good time is assured. The peak in migration typically occurs the last week in April. The 14th Annual Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival was held this year between April 24 - 26 in Hoquiam, Washington. Visit the site for the festival for information about next years events. http://www.shorebirdfestival.com/




*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Acrylic Portrait of Ivy Blue in Progress

For some time I had to set the canvas painting aside and was only able to work with smaller or assemblage pieces. However, times have changed and I'm hungry to get my brushes back to some good dirty work! I really enjoyed working on the recent painting, "Wild Scarlet Macaw", so feel warmed up to return to some loved unfinished canvas paintings.

I was given the opportunity to work with images of a daring model known as Ivy Blue (her website). I'd begun two 16" x 20" paintings on canvas of Ivy; one in oil and the later of the two in acrylic paints. I'm sad to say that the oil painting is going to need to rest in storage for a while longer until I get moved into my new studio space. The acrylic version however is currently on my easel.

This piece excites me. I feel this painting is a good representation of my preference in style of brush work. The strokes are as bold and energetic as the subject herself exhibits in true life. My hope is that the complexity of each individual part will come together to create an image of both interest and beauty. I believe that only a few touches are needed to finish the piece, such as a strand of hair near the mouth area and the mouth itself. One can never really be certain what will happen when brush gets to hand, but can only have plans open to inspiration. I'm pleased, and a bit nervous, to share the completion of this painting.

Included is a quick photograph of the painting as it sits in the current stage. When I finish painting for the evening I'll take another photo so the progression can be seen. Please return again to see the final results of this painting and the next stage of the sculpture, "Nature Goddess", (see previous posts).


*Ivy Blue: Model, Actress, Go-Go Dancer


*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Fresh Catch; Minoan Dolphins



 "Playin' Around", an acrylic painting of Minoan dolphins fresh off of the easel.



The title of this small painting speaks for all aspects of its making. My computer is off and on the fritz and won't be fixed until later in the week, so I've have plenty of off line time to play with the paints. I thought I'd take this chance to show a quick couple of snap shots of the results of my own playing around. The photos are a little dark because I didn't wait until the daylight, but there will be much better images soon.

The Minoan dolphin fresco of Knossos has been a strong image in my mind. I'd been working on drum heads painted with the dolphin and really needed to take a break from the tight, tidy lines of decorative painting. I have a new selection of colors in yummy thick Liquitex and was happy to give them another testing out. This 11" x 14" canvas board painting has five different blues, (which I think is ironic because the subject matter is so "happy" yet the piece is painted with the "blues"). Liquitex has an Unbleached Titanium that is a very nice neutral tone, yet holds warmth, and I enjoy it as a shadow to Titanium White and also as a highlight to Raw Sienna. I have some old bright brushes that give off a nice large round stroke, so I started hacking in the shapes with Payne's Gray; there was no actual black used, only implied with red and Payne's Gray. Bouncing around the board with various paints, I finished with a favorite round bristle brush (size 1000) for smaller strokes. The whole piece was painted mimicking the motion of dolphins in water... darting, quick paced, sharp movement with graceful turns. I had a good time painting it and I certainly hope that comes through to the viewer.

'Til later... be well!

*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.

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Harbor Path Painting

Harbor Path
Originally uploaded by Artist-Tree

2008 Fresh off of my easel...
16" x 20" x 1-3/8" acrylic paint on gallery wrapped canvas -- painted on the edges.
Painted from memory is this stormy landscape meeting the water. It portrays a walk along Grays Harbor, literally behind Hoquiam, Washington. A compacted version of wild Rennie Island rests in the background. The path leads towards the Hoquiam estuary where an annual bird migration offers the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival. Also very near is Bowerman Airport. Bowerman Field is coastal Washington's only jet-capable airport. Bowerman is a destination for thousands of air travelers and visitors alike.

I began the painting with a thick blank canvas. Eager to get my brushes moving, and with only a strong mental image in mind of my former home, I sketched a scene out with an orange Conte pastel. Then dipping a brush into Transparent White and Neutral Grey (Value 5) paints I workeded the pastel in with the acrylics to fade and bind the drawing to the canvas. Some of the original orange color can be seen in the background horizon, and it adds a touch of warmth all over. I challenged myself to use new colors and move quickly to stay with the mental picture of a place I once knew so well.
Here's a list of those colors used ...

• Orange Conte Pastel
• Transparent White
• Titanium White
• Neutral Grey
• Unbleached Titanium
• Transparent Raw Umber
• Parchment
• Raw Sienna
• Prussian Blue
• Mars Black

Below are side views of the painting in natural light.




Copyright 2008, Tree Pruitt, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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