Feb 14, 2012 - Studio Bottles On Box

Studio Bottles on Box.  In a bit of a change in the theme that has run through my sketch of the day series, I decided to try something indoors for today.  Like many studios, mine seems to be full of items that might otherwise be useless, including a collection on glass bottles and containers.  Mostly they sit around, taking up space.  Once in a while, the mood to paint something other than my usual subject matter and I’ll pick a few of these stray items and set up what might be called a still life, except that they are generally simple arrangements of simple items meant to be simply sketched – much too humble to be called “still life”.  Today the arrangement was two small glass bottles on a decorative box, placed in front the large, east facing window in my studio.  The set up combined two of my favorite elements – glass subjects that are both transparent and reflective, along with backlighting.   The other advantage of this arrangement, at this particular time, is that it allowed me to work with some colors other than those same four or five that dominate my winter landscape sketches.  In this case I was able to use cadmium red, cerulean blue, thalo blue and quinacridone gold – a big change from those winter landscapes.  The sketch was done in the Aquabee sketchbook and is about 8” x 10” in size.
Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.

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"Glass on Glass"

The latest themed exhibit at the North Adams Artists Cooperative Gallery Opens Thursday, August 26, 2010. The theme of the exhibit is “Full Body Scanners”.   Like all NAACO themes, this one has varied meanings.  My interpretation would be to  create transparency and so have submitted my work “Glass on Glass” for the exhibit.

Also like all NAACO exhibits,  there will be a broad range of work, mediums and artistic interpretation.   The Opening Reception is this Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 6 – 9pm.   The exhibit remains on display until September 26, 2010.

Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.

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"Glass On Glass"

What, then, to do when the usual subjects are not inspiring me at the moment?  The solution generally is to do something different.  In this case placing a group of wine bottles in front of my studio’s picture window with the intention of painting some compositions.   This work “Glass on Glass” is the first painting completed.   Glass is difficult due to its combination of transparency and reflectivity.  In the case of this painting, I focused more on the transparency and worked on capturing the various value and color shapes created by the overlapping of the transparent bottles and the areas where the opaque labels blocked the transparency.  Shapes colors and values were all simplified and some realism was sacrificed  in favor of pattern and rhythm .

Another choice made in order to mix things up and get the creative and inspirational juices flowing was to work on a different surface.  In this case,  I painted on Arches 140lb hot press paper.  I generally use this paper for architectural illustration work as it has the advantage of being relatively correctable.   It’s press surface prevents the pigment from settling down into the paper fibers.  The effect is to enhance transparency – a perfect attribute for a subject such as glass.

This work will be framed and on display in my studio for Open Studio Weekend, May 29 & 30, 2010.

Below is a quick prep sketch done in a watercolor sketchbook and from a different point of view.

The bottle arrangement is still set up and another painting is underway – more to come.

Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.

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"Bowls on Striped Tablecloth"

Exhibit on view from February 25 to  March 22, with an Opening Reception which is open to the public on  Thursday, February 25th, 5-7 pm

Just Desserts: the sweet and not-so-sweet juried art exhibition featuring fine art and fine craft created by its members and nonmember regional artists.

As the title of the exhibition suggests, a representational array of non-edible artistic delights and objects associated with serving dessert will adorn the gallery’s front hall exhibition space. Not all of the art has a literal interpretation of being something sweet, however, as “just desserts” can suggest something entirely different.

Please join us for the opening reception to be held on Thursday, February 25th, 5-7 pm that will surely be delicious!

In any case, here is the finished work, aptly titled “Classroom Composition”. The work is 13 1/2″ H x 9 1/2W and currently hangs in my studio.