In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

Let me apologize for the lack of posts for the last couple of weeks but my family and I have been dealing with some life events. Because of these events I have not had much studio time. Dealing with a car accident involving an intoxicated driver (the person who hit me) and the driver leaving the scene (life event one) and then a week later a trip to the emergency room (my wife)followed by emergency surgery (life event two) will slow you down a little. Slowly I will be back in the studio and hunkering down to get some work done. I did manage to get four pieces up to the Aldie Mill Art show and Sale which opens Labor Day Weekend. I will not be able to be there for the opening reception but do plan on being there Sunday September 7th doing a drawing demonstration - I hope to see you there! Everyone on my mailing list should be receiving the announcement for the Aldie Mill show in the next week along with some others announcements about other upcoming exhibitions that I am part of. Sorry ...

While the other painting is drying I have composed another piece and have it ready to take the first layer of color. Below are images of the composition sketch, the drawing on canvas and finally the toned canvas. Composition Sketch Drawing on canvas Toned Canvas

I started back on the Nuthatch painting this week. I have it all blocked in with the first layer of color and will know let it dry. I had some difficulties getting back in the groove with this one since it has been so long since I've worked on it.

I am pround to announce that two of my pieces have been seleted for the 2008 Kentucky National Art Exhibit in Henderson, Kentucky. "Sewanee Barn (Feral Pigeons)" and "Out of the Darkness (Saw-whet Owl)" are two of seventy-six pieces selected from 26 states that are to be displayed in this exhibition.The Exhibition runs from September 27th through November 7th. "Sewanee Barn ( Feral Pigeons )" Oil, 13 x 30 "Out of the Darkness ( Saw-whet Owl )" Graphite Pencil, 5 x 11

I finished this up over the weekend, it is a nice little piece measuring 4" x 8". The contrast of the ruffled dark wing feathers and the smooth almost pure white tail feathers are what inspired me to do this particular drawing. Below is the finished drawing and below that is a progress drawing. The reason I am showing this progress drawing is to show the point at which the piece becomes exciting to work on, I refer to this point as the "hook". Even with a composition sketch completed I will have allot of decisions to make and until the drawing or painting reaches the "hook" point I am in doubt if the piece is working or not. As you can see when the piece reaches the "hook" point all the foundations have been laid down and its just basically pure enjoyment to finish. "Barnyard Goose ( Graylag Goose )" Graphite Pencil, 4 x 8 The "hook" point

Below are two images in progress of the current piece on the drafting table.

Below is a composition sketch for my next drawing and I am going back to the paper I am used too, Arches 300 lb. cold press water color paper. You may note that on my last drawing "Cobblestones" I used a bristol board which I found challenging to work with.