Artcroft day 9

Today, I woke to the sound of ice sliding off the roof...crashing to the ground. A combination of sleet and snow fell for most of the day. The wintry mix changed the landscape from yellow to white.


I took a break inbetween painting sessions and took a walk around the farm.


A view of the resident's quarters.

I invited Robert and Maureen to visit my studio today. I asked Robert for a critique on my work, and was grateful for his insight. I admire anyone who can put words to the process of making visual art. It's always easy to say "I like this/I like that", but the ability to explain why something is working...or why something is not working. I hope I can develop that skill over time.



Sorry not to have new work for this post, but larger oil paintings take much more time to finish than smaller oil pastel paintings. I plan to have 2 or 3 finished tomorrow, so please keep watching this site!

peace
ken

Artcroft Day 8

please read this post on my primary website...all the enhancements are not available on the blogger version:
www.kenswinson.com

Today, I took a break from small oil pastel paintings, and put some canvas on the easels…then put some paint on the canvas.



I don’t have a finished painting to show, but while painting, I took a picture every 15 minutes or so…then combined them into a video. Enjoy a peek at me while at work!

Had an interesting jog today…i decided to follow crooked creek road westward, and after about 2 miles, was chased by a pack of dogs (over 10). I probably made a personal record for sprinting during that run. I am a dog lover, but decided to hitch a ride with some nice folks instead of trying to run past the dogs again! Next run I will go east!

A week of my residency has already passed! I have done a good bit of work, but I feel like I am just settling into my new workspace. Now, I am looking forward to making some great paintings! These new paintings really make me happy…i have a feeling they are going to put a smile on your face too.

peace
ken

ArtCroft Day 7

please read this post on my primary website...all the enhancements are not available on the blogger version:
www.kenswinson.com

For the seventh day, I slowed down a bit...still, I painted 2 more small oil pastels,


a great tree full of chickens with a rooster at the top of the tree



a cluster of houses...but much nicer to look at than some of the recent sprawl common here in the U.S.

I used today to go to the Y in paris and do some swimming. I did not pay attention to my time, but I think I got a good mile worth of laps. Then I did laundry, bought some groceries and returned to Artcroft. After a few hours away, it felt good to see the Artcroft sign and return home.


I try to use sunday as a day for staying in touch with my family, so much of the evening was spent sitting by the fire and catching up with my loved ones.

Now if I could only get a handle on my email! Thank you everyone for your encouraging email and blog posts. I want to reply to everyone, but there is only so much time...and so many pictures to paint! I will be in touch with everyone soon! Thank you again for the overwhelming support...it really keeps me going!

peace
ken

Artcroft day 7

Artcroft Day 6

I regret that I do not get to writing my blog post until the end of the day when my mind is mush...but I will try and recount another wonderful day at Artcroft.

This morning, I helped Robert sure up the roof for the chicken coop. The weather is supposed to take a turn for the worse, so it was good we were able to tighten it up.

I made 8 small oil pastel paintings. I am trying to explore a theme with slight variations. Some are good, some are bad and some are great, I will make large oil paintings out of the best small paintings. Feel free to comment on what you think is good, bad and ugly...it will help me with the decision making!


me crosseyed from painting too much!










Late in the afternoon while preparing dinner, Maureen commented on the beautiful light outside. I decided to take a walk with my camera and try to capture some of that light.






I am having a great time out here. I can't express the good feeling that comes with a stay at Artcroft. Robert and Maureen are experts at creating a beautiful environment for creative thinking.

Artcroft Residency Day 5

It's the end of the day, and I am exhausted...but I want to keep up the habit of posting something every day of my residency at Artcroft.

I started the morning helping Robert build the roof of the chicken coop. Chicks are scheduled to arrive in the mail in two weeks!

Then I took a 7 mile run in the country. Very beautiful country...kentucky has some of the best, unspoiled country roads in the U.S. !

The rest of the day, I painted like a maniac! Here are the results of my frenzy...enjoy!


CHickeN in A Tree


bird iN the yArd


hOuse iN tHe fOrest


pUrple tRee


Windy Hill


Tree On an Island


tRee HouSe


Cat In A tree


Bird In A tree

ArtCroft residency day 4

Busy day!

After doing some work in the studio, I went to Carslile to mail a print that I sold on Etsy.


I helped Robert take the veranda apart, remove the nails, and stack the destruction into a neat orderly pile.



I have started 3 oil paintings, and they all involve brightly colored trees. I am trying to work in series...each painting is unique, but they have a unifying look and feel...like they are all brothers and sisters.

I started a few smaller oil pastels that are in the same series.


Here is the oil pastel inspired by yesterday's sketch of the pond.


I am feeling very productive here at artCroft!

peace
ken