July 22, 2020
I’m back from Santa Fe! It was a short but gratifying trip. As usual the gang at Ventana Fine Art did a beautiful job for me. The work looks wonderful in the gallery. If you can’t get to Santa Fe to see the show, take a look online at ventanafineart.com.
Next summer we’ll all get together. I promise!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
July 14, 2020
I’m happy to say I’ll be in Santa Fe for the weekend! My show at Ventana Fine Art, 400 Canyon Road, opens Friday, July 17th. I can’t wait to see my newest work hanging on the walls of my all time favorite Santa Fe Gallery!
I’ll be at the gallery Friday evening. I’ll be painting in the sculpture garden at the gallery on Saturday and Sunday. Drop by if you can. I’ll be happy to see you, from a safe distance! I’ll be the guy with a colorful paintbrush and a black facemask!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
July 7, 2020
I’m interested in having conversations, looking at work, comparing notes, and learning with other pastel painters. So I think it’s time for me to start the process of building a community!
Here’s the scoop. We begin by establishing the Montana Pastel Society. Sounds pretty official doesn’t it!
For the most part, it’s about getting together with folks that have pastel art in common. Artists are often interesting people to talk to.
We’ll see if any other folks want to join. We’ll have a website, Facebook page, and Instagram account. All the usual web based info dissemination devices. And we’ll figure out ways to get together. Virtually to begin with. But I think workshops and art exhibitions will be an important part of the equation. Stay tuned, more soon!
“Let’s give ’em something to talk about. A little mystery to figure out.”
~ Bonnie Raitt
Marshall
June 30, 2020
I’m digging into complementary color combinations. Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. It’s tried and true, very simple, but not without interest to me. I always discover something when I move forward with an idea, even a simple idea. Here’s an example of red, red orange, and red violet paired with green, blue green, and yellow green. I like it! I’ll post more combinations on Instagram as the experimentation continues. Stay tuned!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
June 23, 2020
The days are longer, the water is warmer, and the boats are going in the lake. Sailboat racing season is here! Yours truly will be vigorously pursuing first place finishes three or four times a week until Labor Day. I’ll be racing my Laser on Thursday mornings. I hope to prove to my grandson Oliver that experience and treachery will defeat youth and skill every time! Tuesday and Friday evenings and most weekends the intrepid crew of our 33 foot Frers racing sloop, Valkyrie, will be making me look like the helmsman I’ve always hoped to be! They do the work, I get credit for the victories! What a life!
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
June 16, 2020
I’ve been enjoying learning more about Mitchell Johnson’s work recently. His use of color and composition is very interesting to me. His paintings are usually in a softer palette than I typically choose. But his implementation of complementary colors and analogous color harmony are very familiar to me. The work is often ABOUT color. I can relate to that!
I find his work inspiring.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
June 9, 2020
It’s all part of living the dream! Some days I paint. Some days I build crates.
Back in 1977 I got a Skil Saw for Christmas from my folks. That baby still comes in handy, even though the trigger on off switch hasn’t been functional for years. I plug her in, she goes on, unplug her, she goes off. The OSHA safety gods are frowning, I know.
These two plywood boxes hit the road today carrying 23 new oil paintings for my upcoming exhibition at Ventana Fine Art in Santa Fe. Mark your calendars for the virtual online opening on July 17th. Another aspect of our life in the times of the pandemic.
I’m enchanted by these new paintings! All false modesty aside, I’m certain this is the best work of my life! I’ll post pictures, we’ll see if you agree.
Let’s keep in touch,
Marshall
The June issue of Southwest Art Magazine has a nice article about yours truly! Needless to say I’m very happy to be featured.
Take a look, you may learn more about me than you ever wanted to know.
Here’s a link to the story.
Marshall
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.
Marshall
