Daily painting practice- Self promoting - art on the radio

I will be experiencing something new tomorrow at 5:35 PM cst. I will be on a local radio station here in Omaha, (KFAB),  talking about my print of the Rosenblatt stadium on the Tom Becka Show. (you can listen live on the internet)

 I find one of the hardest things about being an artist is the occasional need to self promote but this sounds like it may be fun. I get to talk art and baseball at the same time. I'll let you know how it  goes.

Daily Painting Practice - Still life with flowers

An artist needs to be flexible. I don't mean, able touch your toes flexible ( I haven't done that since I was eleven years old), I mean flexible enough to begin again.

I started this still life of flowers in a brass bowl a while ago but never felt comfortable with the way it began.  So I started over on a larger canvas and with a looser brush and more color.

My favorite still life artist of all time is (Henri Fantin Latour). I am trying to keep Latour's loose brush work in mind as I proceed with this painting. My attention is focused on the the white peony in the center. I am trying to work from the center out remembering that the star of the show should be supported and not upstaged by any other object.

click on the painting to enlarge the image

Simple Splendor

work in progress

22"x28"

oil on canvas

From this point on my goal is to make sure each brush stroke has meaning. Each stroke should reveal a small part of the entire story of this painting...

Hopefully it will have a happy ending.

Daily Painting Practice - Rosenblatt Stadium Print -Baseball painting

Rosenblatt Stadium Print
by Omaha Artist Peter Yesis

image size 18"x24" with 2 inch border

print on watercolor paper
$125.00 plus shipping

Finally Available! The Omaha landmark, home of the College World Series for over 50 years,  will soon to be replaced with a new stadium. Here is my attempt to honor the memories of all those who have loved the old ball park and hate to see her go.

Daily Painting Practice - Sunset Lake work in progress - North Woods Series continues

Last week I posted this with a group of other underpaintings I am working on. This painting is another in my Northwoods Series. I can't believe I am still able to work from all of my reference photos and sketches from our trip last summer.

click on the painting to enlarge the image

Sunset Lake? Loons Lullaby?

work in progress

18"x24"

oil on canvas

Our good friends up North in Wisconsin have this beautiful view from their cabin on the lake. There is something so restful about a sunset on a lake. I think the sense of peace has something to do with a natural connection from an inner clock. The one we all have centered in our soul. It ties us to the gentle rhythms of nature.

I really think I felt that connection when I was up there this summer....either that or...

...I spent too much time in the sun..!!

Daily Painting Practice - under paintings, under paintings, under paintings

Sunset on Northwoods Lake

work in progress

Sometimes an artist needs to exercise patience.( It may be the only exercise we actually do.)  I have had some good news this week,  a new gallery in Omaha sold a painting I had completed two years ago. In this case it literally paid to be patient.

Lately though, I  have had to remind myself to be patient. I seem to be making more under paintings than finished works. It is very  important to stay the course...  I need to keep telling myself "strive for quality not quantity". Not an easy lesson when under paintings start backing up on the easel.

Canal

work in progress

Some under paintings develop at a slower pace than others. It is usually at this point that I need to decide on how far to develop the details in the under painting.

 Time to Reflect

work still in progress

Of course some details take forever to work out. I suppose I should be happy as long as I see progress. (no matter how slow) The waterfall painting I have been working on is another story. I'm having a real problem getting that one to the finish line. But you know what they say... When the going gets tough...

...Start another under painting!