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August 08 2008 Summer has been really nice in New Hampshire so far. Warm days, cool nights and just enough rain to keep everything green and lush. I've spent the summer painting in New Hampshire and Vermont. Although I've taken a few day trips to paint, I've spent most of my time here at the studio. There is nothing nicer than stepping a few feet from the studio for subject matter. I've done quite a few still life paintings for a show this fall at the Portnoy Galleries in Carmel CA. I've been finishing up paintings from my Spring trip to Ireland and working on larger paintings from my studies. This summer I had the honor of painting the portrait of a former professor of the Navel War College in RI. This gentleman was a P.O.W. surviving eight years as a captive, spending time at the Hanoi Hilton. One of the best things about portrait work is the opportunity to meet interesting people and hear their stories. Many people who are only familiar with my landscapes are surprised to learn that I paint still life paintings, or portraits. To me it's all painting. I try to approach each canvas, regardless of the subject matter, with the same principles. In some ways I think the varied subject matter of my paintings keeps me fresh and on my toes. I'm not painting the same trees and water. When I assemble flowers for a painting I'm forced to really look at the flowers. I look at the color, the textures, what flower I think will be interesting against another. That attention to the subject carries to landscape. It's not all maple trees, and they are not all the same. There are so many colors and textures in the landscape. It's the artist job to simplify the complexities of nature, while trying to translate one moment of time onto the canvas. Once again I am planning on my annual studio open house on the Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend. It's always fun to see familiar faces and enjoy paintings, a bite to eat, and a little wine. If you're on the mailing list you should be receiving invitation. If not, email the studio and I'll make sure your name is added to the mailing list. May you find beauty in all that you see! Regards, John C |
Copyright, 1999-2001, John C. Traynor. All rights
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