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
March 15, 2024
I’m kind of amazed that I painted this! It is definitely outside my color comfort zone. Maybe I’m becoming hopelessly romantic in my old age. Or maybe having Miles Davis’ In A Silent Way on repeat made me do it. Yeah that’s it.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
One of the realities of a longstanding art practice is the development of a deep familiarity with material. Anyone who has been working for a considerable length of time will undoubtedly have found their “go to” colors. I certainly have.
With this pastel sketch “Kind of Blue” I deliberately grabbed a handful of pastels that I’d never used before! A foray outside my color comfort zone led to a very nice painting. If I do say so myself!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall Noice
December 3, 2023
I do love big color! As is obvious I’m certain. But the sublime beauty of a recent moonset inspired these two uncharacteristically subtle paintings. This view to the west of Lonepine Road is now entirely white. White sky and snow covered hills. Maybe I should try for even more subtlety. What do you think?
By the way, I really appreciate your following me on Instagram.
Marshall
Here’s a recently completed quartet of paintings that are unified both in composition and color theory. The repeating vertical elements create strong unity from a design standpoint. And the common theme of cool colors over warm colors tie the four paintings together from a color standpoint. Even with those similarities the four paintings make a highly tensional visual statement thanks to the variety of warm colors in the background. Red, orange, yellow, magenta and pink.
Take a look at my Instagram page to see the progression of this piece from start to finish.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
