Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 12, 2020

A report from the studio during these challenging times.

I confess social distancing presents no problem for this artist!  I typically spend my days in the company of oil paint, brushes, canvas, paper, and pastels.  None of which constitute a viral threat. I am taking every precaution, even though Montana has been relatively unaffected, and has such enviable built in social distancing.  This is a big state with few people.

Unlike so many of us, my days are pretty much the same as they were before the pandemic.  I am among the fortunate few.

I hope you and yours are well, staying safe, and that things will be closer to normal before long. 

Now, more than ever, let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

April 21, 2020

The past week I‘ve been exploring working in pastel over monotypes.  I was initially inspired by works by Degas that were done in this fashion.  The process involves first making a monotype by painting with etching ink on a plate, and then printing one impression on an etching press.

When the print is dry, I draw on top of the monotype with pastel to create the one of a kind finished work on paper.  I’m excited by the results I’m getting! 

Let me know what you think.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

April 14, 2020

Winter storm watch today in much of western Montana. That kind of weather is not especially unusual for this time of year. But I’m in my studio mitigating the cool temperatures with an underpainting in warm colors. Cadmium yellow medium, perylene red, pyrol orange, and quinacridone magenta! I’m curious to see where this beginning leads.

Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall

“When it’s springtime in Alaska it’s forty below.”
~ Johnny Horton

With a little more home time on our hands one thing we can do is catch up on our reading!

I confess I’m an avid reader of about a book a week, and this one is my new favorite.

I think any artist will LOVE this book. Jerry Saltz is an extraordinary writer. I guess that’s why he was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2018.

Buy this inspiring and very readable book.

Lets keep in touch,

Marshall

“Something got a hold on me right now. Oh, it must be love.”
~ Etta James

What is it about a barn that I find so appealing?  I’m happy to say our barn, which actually looks more like a huge garage, holds loads of good memories for me. Horses, cats, hay, kids, and music!

Barns are, of course, iconic. Especially in the West, where they seem to pop up in the middle of nowhere. Although you midwesterners and easterners certainly can lay claim to some fine examples!

I guess when all is said and done I simply like to look at, draw, paint, and walk around barns once in a while.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

“Well, I said, come along my baby, we got chicken in the barn. What barn? Whose barn? My barn.”

~ Big Maybelle

March 10, 2020

Before long we’ll be witnessing a cacophony of color here in Northwest Montana.  Some of the bluest skies you can imagine.  The bright chartreuse of the maple trees in bloom.  And the almost unbelievable turquoise of the water in our lakes at springtime!  Some of you know what I’m talking about.  I’ll snap some pix.  But for now I’m happily enjoying the pale blues and silvery grays of late winter.

Have a look!

Wet Morning | Oil on Canvas | 48×48

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

March 4, 2020

If you ever get the bright idea that it might be faster to get through a ski racecourse on your face instead of on your skis, make sure you’re wearing an International Ski Federation approved helmet.

I tried it last Sunday and found it to be less than an ideal way to navigate a slippery slope!

Also, it may be of interest to my fellow color lovers that any color of FIS approved helmet will provide the protection you need.  Go for it!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

February 25, 2020

Last week I posted the underpainting which was bold to the point of being out of control in my opinion. And in case you’re wondering, when it comes to my art, MY opinion is paramount!

Here’s how I resolved the color issues I created: cool payne’s gray over the gold ochre to establish warm / cool tension; warm portland gray over the viridian green for the same reason.

As much as I disliked the broad band of viridian in the underpainting, the glowing remains of that color really activate the bottom of the composition. Hints of pink are all that are left of that broad stroke of hotness! I wanted to draw the eye to the horizon with that visually demanding color.

Is it finished? Maybe.

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

“Well it’s all right now. I’ve learned my lesson well.
You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.”
~ Ricky Nelson

February 18, 2020

It may seem counterintuitive to begin a gray painting with colors this bright and unharmonious. But that’s how I like to do it. First I stir up some trouble on the canvas and then I try to regain control.

In this underpainting the seriously bad actor is the viridian at the bottom of the canvas. Fortunately the gold ochre acts as a referee, keeping that sick green away the magenta and pink. But further measures are needed to get THAT problem child to toe the line. This could be interesting!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall

“Right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10!”
~ John Hiatt

February 14, 2020

I confess I’ve been derelict in my communicating lately.  But two of my three daughters were visiting, and the snow on The Big Mountain was spectacular.  That proved to be an irresistible combination for me.  I simply HAD to go play with my kids.  No surprise there I guess!

Now I’m back in the studio and walking down a path I’ve not traveled before. I’m cracking open tubes of paint in that lovely color gray!

Let’s keep in touch,

Marshall