RELAXED FIT

Well, this painting is finished. I've finished the edges with wood strips and put on the varnish coat, which is why the color looks uneven in the photo. You can see the sheen. And I have sewn on buttons that I made out of clay. The handmade buttons really add a unique touch.

Here is a look at the buttons.

And another look. And I am still struggling with a title. The painting is now hanging in the gallery, 7 Artists Key West. One man walked in last night and said, "Nice Shirt", maybe that should be the title, oh well, it will come to me. Price $1,900 size 40 x 30 inches.  Now  I have decided on a title "RELAXED FIT".

MORE PROGRESS

Well, this piece is nearing completion. As you can see I have added a background. My initial intention was for the background to be the same as the postcard shape with the palm tree. But when that went in it was much too strong, so I kept knocking back the color until I thought it was right. I have also worked on the shirt patterns. What is left to do? I still have to work on the buttons. I am thinking about putting real buttons on it, but I will paint buttons on too. And I have to punch up some highlights. And of course think of a title, sometimes that is the hard part, because titles are very important. I see some sort of "Aloha" in this painting's future. Aloha is one of my favorite words.

WORK IN PROGRESS

I wish I had taken some earlier photos of this painting. It has gone through several incarnations. You can see here that I have completely obliterated the background and now have to start all over on that. The foreground (shirt) is not going to change too much more. It's not finished but the basics are done. I usually like to work on the foreground and the background at the same time in order to get harmony between the two. But my background ideas just weren't working so I decided to let it go for a while. Now I've made a decision about the background and I'll start that today. I'll get it roughed out and then I will continue to work on the background and foreground at the same time until it is finished. By the way, this painting is large 40 x 30 inches.
I really should be glazing pots, but I'll do that tomorrow. I'm in the gallery, 7 Artists Key West, tonight from 4 til 10 pm. Stop on by.