Category Archives: Uncategorized

January 4, 2022

This pastel painting’s an excellent example of my “is it done?” punch list. Warm-Cool, Light-Dark, Thick-Thin, our old technique mantra from back in the days of sharing a studio with Terry Nelson. We’d paint together all day and play music together all night.

My old pal is long gone, but he still stands at my side in the studio from time to time. Life was richer when he was in it. I hope you have people like that to remember!

It is, after all, that time of year, isn’t it? Old long since.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

December 28, 2021

All systems go! I have everything I require to restart my painting practice after the holiday hiatus. My favorite colors, my favorite brushes, and a beautifully blank canvas that speaks of nothing but potential!

Good to be back! More soon. Count on it.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

December 21, 2021

I’m framing pastel sketches. These are about six by six inches. Colorful statements in miniature.

Honestly, I can’t get wonderfully spontaneous interactions of color like this when I’m working in oil. And the beautifully loose and dynamic effect is almost effortless in pastel. It’s not for lack of practice! I do have some experience with oil. I got my ten thousand hours in about a half century ago! Here’s what I know, (profound insight on the way) a stick makes a different kind of mark than a brush.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

December 14, 2021

What a creative bunch I call family! Take a look at these three beautiful objets d’art, and one painting.

Or maybe I should say, in deference to all you wordsmiths out there, TWO objets d’art, one painting, and one piece of jewelry. I’m getting very literal here, aren’t I. Regardless of nomenclature, check out this very cool stuff made by our daughters Carly, Rachel, and Sarsten!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

December 7, 2021

We’ve been enjoying flurries for the past several days, the ground is covered with the white stuff, and will be for the foreseeable future if the snow gods smile upon us!

But I am still locked in on the spectacular fall color we enjoyed here in northwest Montana this year. And though I can see the wisdom in painting by the mantra “less is more,” it is oftentimes equally true that “more is more.”

I rest my case!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

November 30, 2021

Both Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso are said to have remarked that Paul Cezanne “is the father of us all.” Be that as it may, the post-impressionist was without a doubt the bridge between 19th and 20th century painting.

Art historians recognize him as the link between impressionism (Matisse) and cubism (Picasso.)

Cezanne’s paintings, particularly his landscapes (surprise, surprise) are a constant source of inspiration for me. And although his paint handling, color choices, and brushwork are fundamentally different from mine, we do wholeheartedly agree on one thing. Cezanne said, “If you see a tree, paint it bright red.” I concur!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

November 24, 2021

This painting was in the background of a recent post. And since many of you asked about it, here it goes!

As you may remember, one of the attributes I look for in my finished work is warm/cool color contrast. Well, this painting not only has red (warm) against blue (cool) but goes one step further down the warm/cool path by introducing warm red next to cool red. The tension created by this combination is positively “jangly” in my opinion – highly activated, visually stimulating. What is “cool” red you may ask? Take a look, you’ll figure it out. That’s what I like about this painting!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

November 16, 2021

I’ve been painting a lot lately. And I’ve run through a great volume of oil paint and scrubbed my boar bristle brushes down to a nub. All good, that’s why I buy brushes by the gross!

It is such a simple act. But it’s kind of funny how something as ordinary as unwrapping a new paintbrush fills me with a sense of possibility. There is nothing remotely poetic about it. It’s not even a wonderful or expensive new paintbrush. Even so, it never fails to give me a little rush of excitement.

Now, I wonder “what color?” Off we go into the wild blue yonder!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

November 10, 2021

It ain’t all fun and games folks! Today six paintings left the premises for points south. That’s the good news. The not so good news is I’ve spent the day doing something other than making more paintings. Honestly, I quickly get a little resentful if anything takes me away from my easel, canvas, and paints for too long. It doesn’t happen all that often. I have great help, and I’m pretty good at delegating. Right you guys? I’m pretty good at delegating, right? You guys?

Someone once told me the difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that “Successful people do what they need to do, when they need to do it, whether they want to or not.”

Oh, by the way, if you’re curious about what is inside those decidedly uncolorful cardboard boxes, stop by Lustre Gallery in Telluride!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

November 3, 2021

It’s nice to see all these paintings drying on the wall in my studio. There’s no substitute for productivity, in my opinion. Experience tells me that one painting always leads to another painting, and that inspiration is a result of a rigorous art making practice.

If I were to offer advice to a young artist intent on making their mark in the art world, I would tell them, “Go to work, and keep working.”

For me, the magic only happens when I have a paint brush in hand!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall