Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Pasadena Alley



12x16 oil on Linen

Here is a back alley in Pasadena off or Fair Oaks on the north side. Lots a new apartment buildings going up in this area, but there are still some old houses around that haven’t been renovated.
I threw the drawing out the window on this one. Just pushed paint around by feel and let shadows become shapes and left out a bunch of stuff. I kept the pallet simple and barely looked at the reference and embraced abstraction as much as I could. I had a friend start to politely break it to me that the drawing was off so I quickly nipped him on his bud and told him drawing is not an issue here.

Also some more good news I got a painting accepted into the OPA show coming up! So I'm in at least six shows this year. Whew!

29 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Hey William, this is my neck of the wood, we live at the top in Altadena.
I'd love to go out with you to start to paint with oil, but I'm too shy, I would probably just look at you and learn, all my stuff is sitting here in my studio, waiting for me to be brave and start.

10:05 PM  
Blogger Kate said...

Wow! I really love all the subdued color in this one. Excellent job!

10:28 PM  
Blogger David Lobenberg said...

Lots of linen showing through along with areas of thick paint. I like that. Yes, no need to always look at the reference when the painting takes over!

10:51 PM  
Blogger Michael Chesley Johnson, Artist / Writer said...

Nice piece! I love your skies. Lots of bits of color poking through.

5:18 AM  
Blogger mike rooney studios said...

nice painting-- incorrect drawing excluded. JUST KIDDING!
why do people feel the need to point out the drawing. shouldnt the piece stand on its own merit. either it works or it doesnt. what does the drawing have to do with anything?
glad you nipped his bud!
the abstraction is what you were after, so mission complete.

6:21 AM  
Blogger rob ijbema said...

beautiful Bill,very nice!
love the space...

6:22 AM  
Blogger Hattermad said...

Damn!


You've found a new way to say something with your brushes, rags and fingers multitudes of others are blathering about nonsensically...so far blown out of the water, I'm floating in a dirty stratosphere, dodging blobs of paint tryin' not to slip...

6:54 AM  
Blogger Ambera said...

I like the muted colours, gives it a quiet or abandoned atmosphere.

7:15 AM  
Blogger sandra flood said...

I love the simplicity of the composition and palette.
Beautiful!

12:57 PM  
Blogger BoneDaddy said...

I don't know why, but the earthen lighter colors jump out and slap me in the face (in a good way, though).

2:38 PM  
Blogger Cooper Dragonette said...

Wow! Six shows!! Fantastic William! Congratulations! It's no wonder with a piece like this one in your arsenal. Really wonderful.

3:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats on that! And yeah, nice piece again...

5:29 PM  
Blogger Albert Sorrentino Jr. said...

sooo sooo beautiful!
I love the textures on the walls, especially the warm parts. Although I must say the previous post is really amazing, one of the most interesting pieces I;ve seen in quite some time. You really do capture some amazing moods.

7:26 PM  
Blogger Sharon said...

I like this one too... I meant to tell you when I first saw it in the garage!

12:19 PM  
Blogger Clive said...

Dang. It's good. It's all good. Great suit of new posts, marvelous paint and composition. Well deserved show at the museum and spectacular image for the postcard. Always a pleasure to visit.

3:12 PM  
Blogger Todd Harris said...

wow, love the colors on this one. great job william, really nice man.

8:34 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

Stef, I will drag you oput soon.

9:42 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Kate-- Your work is looking good. The NF Workshop was a good step.

9:46 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

David, when it does!

9:47 PM  
Blogger Chris Ousley said...

Drawing is close enough for jazz. "Correct" drawing here would not have had the spirit this one has.

2:26 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

mcjpsa! thanks I like to poke thru.

11:43 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

Mike thanks, but it is a balance. I think we do need the drawing to a certain level , then you can start cutting it away.

11:47 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Rob!

11:50 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

Thanks Mad--hat hope you make it back to earth!

11:51 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Ambera and Sandra!

11:52 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

I love smackin' your face BG!

11:58 PM  
Blogger Frank Gardner said...

The drawing looks good to me. Like that high key color and the delicate lines mixed with the bold strokes.

6:51 PM  
Blogger Alan Rushing said...

Beautiful color choices in this one...I love it.

8:43 PM  
Blogger Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Nice light on this. Nice paintings in general. Congrats on OPA show.

8:42 PM  

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