I’m certain I could not have painted “Birch Grove Drive, Spring Forsythia” at any time of year other than spring. I believe that every work I create captures a moment in my sensibility. And I confess I’m happily in a spring state of mind these days.
New growth, warmer sunshine, longer days. Every change in the season invariably provides me with an extra jolt of creativity. Kind of a seasonal double espresso. I’m awake!
Marshall
Time spent in Telluride never fails to result in the creation of inspiring sketches. Here’s a painting done from one I made a fall or two ago just south of town.
I know a painting is on the right track when I can recall the weather when looking at the work. Does that make sense? In this piece I can feel the cold, crisp, calm early morning air, just before the sun rose above the horizon and raked across the face of the snow covered peak.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
I find myself frequently concentrating on elements of the landscape that exist beneath the sky. Consequently the horizon ends up quite high in my paintings. I think that approach to composition adds a sense of intimacy and a feeling of “being there.”
“Western Skyline” on the other hand is all about the glorious Colorado sky! Join me Thursday, January 2, from 5-8pm at Slate Gray Gallery in Telluride to take a look at the actual painting. I’d be happy to see you!
Marshall
Sometimes all it takes for me to begin a painting is the notion that one color might look interesting next to another color. But recently I came across a group of pastel sketches I’d done on one of my dozens of trips to Telluride. And I decided it was about time I explored the Colorado landscape a bit more specifically. The pantings in these, my newest works, are about my enduring infatuation with color. But more than that, they are my exaltation of what are, certainly, some of the most iconic landscapes in the American West.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
My friend, fellow band member (a very few of you may remember Tut and The Uncommons) and studio mate, Terry Nelson, painted nothing but realistic works of tangles in his garden toward the end of his life.
His work has inspired me to better depict the chaos and randomness that is nature! I think looser paint handling is one of the keys. That’s what I’m working on. We’ll see.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
April 30, 2024
Sometimes, more often than I deserve actually, a painting almost paints itself. “Leaves Floating” is one of those. It almost feels as if every brush stroke is preordained. I’d love to be able to call up all the disparate elements that occasionally align for that delightful experience to occur. But, sadly, it’s an unpredictable and fleeting moment in my art-making life. I do know this, it never shows up on demand, and it only happens when I’m standing in front of a canvas with a wet brush in hand.
This is why the importance of a regular artistic practice cannot be overrated. It is essential. Go to work! You never know!
Marshall
What Color Are The Shadows?
When I’m working outdoors a question I ask myself to heighten my level of awareness is: what color are the shadows? Depending on the time of day and time of year, the shadows can be gray, green, purple, or, as in this painting, periwinkle blue!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall Noice
Sometimes I feel I’m overcomplicating things. And it can be fun. And sometimes it’s essential.
But with this painting I decided that simply moving from light to dark was all that was needed. What do you think?
Marshall
April 2, 2024
From time to time I’m asked about my painting technique. I thought it might be easiest to post an illustration or two. Here’s my palette, laid out from warm colors to cool colors. My brushes, I have some for warm colors and some for cool colors. My paints are laid out on a piece of glass which I replace about once a year. As you can see my brushes could not be less elegant. Though they are decidedly “unartsy” they make the kind of mark I like to make, which is very important to me!
My art practice priority is spending as much time painting and as little time cleaning up as possible. So, my palette is never cleaned, I just add more paint, and my brushes are simply wiped off (onto a fresh canvas!) and dropped into a can of thinner to use the next day. I’m happy to hear your comments and answer any questions you may have. Go to work. Have fun!
Marshall
March 20, 2024
The power of “red” is monumental. No other color triggers such as strong emotional response.
Perylene Red, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Geranium Lake, Quinacridone Rose, Napthol Scarlet, Radiant Magenta, Rouge Azo Fonce, Ultramarijin Rood-Rose. My list of favorites is nearly endless.
Marshall
