'Osealia'

'Osealia' - oil - 20x24 - ©2011 Marc R. Hanson

Yes... This one is closely related to John E Millais' painting of the character 'Ophelia' in Shakespeare's play. But in this case, it's the seal world and 'Osealia' that I've chosen to paint. The painting is going to and the show celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cape Cod National Seashore's establishment by then President Kennedy. This is a Grey Seal, at one time hunted heavily, even with a bounty on it's head due to it's like of the same fish that we like, but is now doing quite well. Especially along the Cape Cod shoreline, in large part due to this Act and the CC National Seashore. Watching these large animals, 10-12 feet, playing in the water, gliding on their backs and always with those large lonesome eyes starring back at you, made me think that this one on it's back was nearly just like 'Ophelia' in Millais' painting. I had some fun with it.



Here's Millais' Ophelia...

Happy Easter!

'Easter Day 2011' - oil on linen - 8x10 ©2011 Marc R. Hanson
We had a beautiful day for Easter. I hope that you all did too.

Cape Cod National Seashore Show - Fort Hill

'Fort Hill' - oil - 16x20 © 2011 Marc R. Hanson
Fort Hill is part of the National Park System's 'Cape Cod National Seashore' and is located in Eastham, MA.

This is a painting that is going to be submitted to a show being held at Addison Gallery in Orleans, MA in July.

"Inspired by the Cape Cod National Seashore
"A man may stand there and put all America behind him."
— Henry David Thoreau

The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s has been protected since 1961, when President Kennedy signed legislation establishing the Cape Cod National Seashore, 44,600 acres covering forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and forests dotted with lighthouses and wild cranberry bogs.

This juried show celebrates the 50th Anniversary of one of our nation's jewels, the magnificence of the natural Cape Cod."

April 12, 2011 "Peepers and Cranes"

"Peepers and Cranes" - Oil - 11x14 © 2011 Marc R. Hanson
Finally around long enough to head outside and paint. I've been on the road for about the last 3 weeks, first to Charleston, SC for Wet Paint, back to unpack and then pack, then off to Scottsdale, AZ to teach a five day workshop at the Scottsdale Artists School. I'm heading back out now for some afternoon painting but will get a blog post together soon with some images from Charleston and Scottsdale.
The frogs and birds are all out celebrating... so am I. Happy Spring!!!

'Right or Left' Accepted into the OPA 20th Anniversary National Exhibition!

'Right or Left' - 24x30 ©2011 Marc R. Hanson

DEVIN GALLERIES in Coeur de'Alene, Idaho is hosting this years' Oil Painters of America National Exhibition. This is the 20th Anniversary for the OPA National Exhibition honoring representational/traditional oil painting and painters. I'm proud to be in the exhibit and to be a signature member of this organization.

It's nearly Spring!

'Two Toms' - oil on linen - 11x14 ©2010 Marc R. Hanson
I painted this exactly one year ago, March 16, 2010. It was warmer then and a lot less snow.

Sometimes I really do wonder where the minutes escape to. I went into my, this, blog last night and it made that obvious to me. It's been quite a some time since my last post! The last painting I posted, the last painting I finished, was February 23rd!

Wow...

Well as all of you artists out there know, having the 'Artist is your life' badge entails SO much more than just standing in front of your easel. I won't go into it all, we all know what I'm talking about. But when I look back at a time like this and realize that it's been nearly 3 weeks since I finished a painting, it makes me wonder where it all went.

I have done several other starts, studies and started a 30x40. I had the pleasure of having my youngest son come to stay with me for a few days in early March. He was interested in learning about value and how it is related to color. Both of my sons have artistic ability, but it's showing up as an interest later, they're in their mid-20's. We set up a simple still life, I did a demo and then Erik painted this, his very first value study. I'm very, very proud of what he did. It's obvious to me that he has the eye and hand and could develop this into a lifelong pursuit with no end to it.



As Erik was ending the weekend with me and on his way home, I realized that I was the victim of a nasty cold virus. It took me out of commission for 9 days.

So there you go... just when I thought I was loosing track of time and wasting it... there is an explanation! I'm glad I tracked it down.

Enjoy the beginning of Spring.

Some good advice on building more blog appeal!

I just read a spectacular post from Lori McNee's 'Fine Art Tips' blog about how to give your blog post more artistic sex appeal. Her blog article is very good, full of wonderful tips and ideas. When I get the time I'm going to implement as much of what she suggests to do as possible.

Until then... I thought I'd start with this, an incredibly talented artist... the late Marvin Gaye! :)