December 31, 2019
Apparently the first order of business in 2020 is ordering paint!
Can anyone tell me why all the good colors run out so quickly? Cadmium Yellow, Perylene Red, and Quinacridone Magenta disappear before my very eyes. But a 150ml tube of say, Terre Ercolano, or Nickel Azo Yellow, or Magnesium Ferrite, looks like it will last me a lifetime. It is a mystery.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
December 17, 2019
We’re only a few days away from the longest night of the year! And I’m wondering if the shorter days are having an effect on my choice of colors? All I know for certain is that I’m deeply engaged in painting with pale, light colors that are thoroughly uncharacteristic of my work! Seeking the light perhaps?
Maybe I’ll just have to pay homage to my pagan Norse forebears and drink some grog, eat some yulekake, and light a big bonfire!
La oss holde kontakten,
Marshall
December 10, 2019
I had a wonderful evening last Saturday when my old friends Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson came to Kalispell. If you don’t already know their group Storyhill, you need to check them out. They’re on the road in celebration of 30 years of making music together! I’m happy they still come to our town to play for what is certainly the smallest, but maybe the most enthusiastic audience on their tour!
This is the first time we’ve presented them IN the gallery. The guys sounded great! It was a memorable sold out show for the 90 lucky ticket holders we managed to shoehorn into the gallery. Maybe Montana Modern Fine Art is the newest performing arts venue in downtown Kalispell!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
December 3, 2019
I’m enthralled with the effect of bright colors emerging from behind shades of gray. Is it possible the intensity of high chroma increases when adjacent to mid value neutral colors?
It appears so. This is highly esoteric, but for some reason important to me. And quite probably to me only!
Anyway, I’m currently in love with gray. I’d love to hear what you think.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
November 26, 2019
I’ve been moving out of my comfort zone recently. Instead of reaching for the perylene red or dioxazine purple I’ve been going for payne’s grey, portland cool grey, and a tube of ancient Daniel Smith oil called “moonglow.” Who names these colors anyway?
I’m not forsaking big, high noon colors entirely, as you can see, but the twilight shades of grey are finding a comfortable spot on my canvasses. I like it!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
November 19, 2019
I realize it’s been quite a while since I’ve mentioned anything about my life outside my studio. So here’s what I’m thinking about these days. (Other than how quinacridone violet looks next to cadmium red light, that is.)
Fall is over, winter is near, and it’s time to fire up the ski wax iron and get out the edge files! We’ve had snow off and on for a while now and the lifts on Big Mountain start running in just three weeks. But before then I’ll probably skin up to the top for one run down a time or two, if we get the white stuff.
In years past we ski fanatics have been known to sacrifice virgins (of either gender) in hope of receiving the gifts of the benevolent snow gods. But these days most of us just pray for snow!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
November 12, 2019
Sometimes the choice is obvious and sometimes the decision requires some searching. At times like this I find it helpful to have plenty of options readily available. The challenge then becomes remaining decisive, going with your instinct, and remaining true to your vision.
Do I have precisely the right color? Yes I believe I do! It’s one of these 525 pastels.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
November 5, 2019
I’m back in the studio after my trip Santa Fe. Spending time in that town never fails to recharge my creativity. I’ve been working almost exclusively in pastel since I’ve been home, and I must say I’m very pleased with my newest work. For whatever reason I’m breaking new ground. I don’t know if it’s the influence of the New Mexico light, the Santa Fe culture, or most likely regular and frequent doses of chile, but something about that place has a positive impact on my art making.
Speaking of chile, for years I’ve tried to decide if red or green is my favorite. And after considerable study and evaluation my conclusion is, I love both!
I’d love to hear which pastel is your favorite.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
October 22, 2019
Wherever we go museums are at the top of our must visit list! And though I’ve been to the Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe a dozen or more times I’m heading over right after breakfast at my perennial morning haunt, Tia Sophia’s.
O’Keefe’s paintings never fail to inspire. She defines modernism for me. It’s not her paint handling, which is flat, or her color, which is realistic, but her vision that knocks me out time after time.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
October 15, 2019
I’m off to Santa Fe on an early flight this Friday. Heading south for the Historic Canyon Road Paint Out! It’s always a great time. A gathering of old friends and new friends who have the love of art in common. I know some of my Montana pals are making the trip to join in the fun!
Hope to see you at Ventana Fine Art, 400 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, this Friday and Saturday.
The artists reception is from 5-7 on Friday the 18th.
The paint out happens on Saturday, the 19th, from 10-3.
Let’s get together and eat some Chile! Red or green? Or both!? I can’t wait.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
