The Spirit of Christmas

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed board unframed with free shipping in USA.
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More than any other time the Christmas/Hanukah season brings us all together. There is clarity of purpose and yet a background of emotional feeling that comes to us during this time. That’s why I wanted this painting to have both clarity and mystery intermingling in the composition. I hope I captured that idea.
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Fall Planting

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed board
$125 with free shipping in USA
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The two most common fall plantings are alfalfa for an early hay crop in summer and winter wheat, which survives the winter as young seedlings, and mature in early summer the following year. In this painting the young plants in late October are a vivid green and create a unique pattern against the late afternoon sky.

This painting required a bit tighter detail than many of my paintings because of the subject. I'm including a close up detail of part of the painting (on my blog) to show a surprise element of the roof of a house just over the hill barely noticeable in the overall view. I didn't see it until I started to paint. There is another building in the background peeking out behind the trees, which may take some searching to find as well.

From an artist's perspective, the color scheme here is a triple complement. The sky has a blue/orange tone created by the setting sun, while the earth and trees create a red/green and yellow/violet shift in color. The dark shadows in the foreground are viridian green with flecks of red and brown from the still exposed soil. These elements of color as well as the crisscross textures in the foliage are what attracted me to do this painting.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

The Beauty of Aging: Composition with Barn Door

7” x 5” (17.8cm x 12.7cm) acrylic on gessoed board
unframed with free shipping in USA.
SOLD
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Weathered wood on seems to get more beautiful as it ages. I suppose this gives hope to all of us. On first glance this door is securely locked, but a closer look will reveal the padlock is not fastened giving us access to enter if we wish. Imagine yourself entering and exploring all the wonderful antiques stored here.

The vertical and horizontal planes in this composition attracted me and reminded me of Piet Mondrian's compositions. Even though you may not recognize this as an abstract painting, Mondrian was right in his contention that shifting a line or a shape a fraction one way or another can balance or unbalance the composition. I worked carefully for some time to get the highlights just right to balance the horizontal and vertical movement, so from my artist's eye this was an abstract design.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Amish Country

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed board

$125 unframed with free shipping in USA.
SOLD
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Sometimes there are those images I just have to paint. My sister and brother-in-law are building an authentic log house from old cabin logs in Amish country, so when we went to see it in progress this summer (see inset photo on my blog) I had the chance to snap a photo of an Amish team of horses on our way back home.

It wasn’t until later when I cropped it down and looked at the detail that it got my attention. I fell in love with the color and light. I couldn’t get the image out of my mind so once I started painting I couldn’t stop until I was satisfied with the mood and feeling. I probably spent more time than I usually do on a small-scale daily painting, but painting is sometimes like an addiction. You can’t stop until you are completely sated.

That’s how it was with this image. I hope some of that feeling comes through to the viewer. It made me want to do a similar large-scale image sometime in the future but I’ll need to think about that some more before I’m ready to commit to this image again. It’s one of those images that scale or size doesn’t make a difference. I remember once seeing a photo of one of Aristide Maillol’s sculptures and thought it was a life sized sculpture but later was surprised to find it was actually only six inched high. Scale was almost irrelevant. It could be six inches or six feet and it would still read very well.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Fall Colors near Grayling Michigan

6” x 6” (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®. unframed with free shipping in USA.
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Traveling in north Michigan we saw lots of colors. Colors were about 80% this weekend. The beauty of creation in nature never ceases to inspire and awe. I don’t claim to paint exclusively plein-air, however this kind of beauty calls for a lot of direct observation. I’ll hope to post a few more of these works soon.
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

White Solo Rose

6” x 6” (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®.

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I needed a new challenge, so decided to paint a white rose. I cannot remember painting rose petals before, at least not in close up detail as in this painting. So this was my first rose painting. Actually it’s my second start, since about half way through the first beginning I realized the feeling wasn’t what I wanted so I made some adjustments to the way I was working and started over. Here you can see the results. It surprised even me to realize after painting for so many years this was my first painting of this subject. There is always something new to learn.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

The Old Barn Door

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®.

unframed with free shipping in USA.
SOLD
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The proverbial “Barn Door” is, of course, the door that is closed too late after the horse has escaped or after the damage has been done. This barn door is one I found on an Illinois farm and the wood was so weathered and worn that I wanted to do a painting. After I began the painting, I realized the slot for the door latch had fallen away and all that remained were the two holes where it had been fastened, making it the proverbial barn door that could not be locked.

In modern day life not much has changed. We often still seem to function this way, when we try to solve problems after the damage has been done. This could be an idiom for a lot of things in our world today.
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Early Fall Sky in Michigan

7 in x 5 in(17.8cm x12.7cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®

unframed with free shipping in USA
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In Michigan this time of year the sky is always beautiful but often we get a lot of “Mares Tails” clouds or sometimes called “Fallstreaks”. There is a beautiful old building on M60 near us where I saw this sky and wanted to record it in a painting.

To buy this painting with Paypal Buy Now button visit my blog at: http://www.pwolberart.blog.com/
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Cup and Egg in Wall Niche

7 in x 5 in(17.8cm x12.7cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
$125 unframed with free shipping in USA
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The cup and egg were not just chosen at random but selected because I wanted to attempt a composition based on a classical motif of curved and straight forms. The idea of curved or rounded forms contrasted against geometric or linear forms goes back to classical design as in Greek motifs of Egg and Dart patterns on architecture. Brunelleschi, the designer and builder of the Dome in the Cathedral of Florence also used the circle and square in his design for many architectural structures including the Hospital of the Innocents in Florence, Italy. It’s a classical concept that I chose to use for this small painting.
® Copyright by Paul Wolber

Cherries with Turning Leaves on Barnwood

7” x 5”(17.8cm x12.7cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®.
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My early years were spent on a small farm in Illinois, so when I see old weathered barn siding it brings back nostalgic memories of those years in the countryside. The challenge of this painting was to contrast the textures of fruit and leaves against the weathered siding of old barn siding. Peeling paint provided a pattern to enhance the composition and the early morning sun added interesting directional shadows.
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Four Gondolas in Venice

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®.
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This is the first small painting I've made available directly on my blog in a while. On our last visit to Italy we saw these Gondolas in the Bacino Orseolo near Piazza San Marco where you can arrange for a ride in one of these beautiful boats. The design of the gondola dates back over 1,000 years and a few are still made each year. Some day I want to create a computer 3-D model of a gondola, but it would take some time to do. If anyone has already done this I'd like to know about it.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Pandora's Box

"Pandora's Box" 6in. x 6in. (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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This painting is a pithos or ancient Greek storage jar. It was painted in the style similar to one in the Louvre Museum in Paris. A pithos jar was supposedly the container Panodora brought with her to Epimetheus, from Zeus, which she was forbidden to open. Epimetheus was the brother of Prometheus who had stolen fire from Zeus to give to mankind. When Pandora through her curiosity opened the container she released all the misfortunes of mankind.

Because this painting was done for a benefit auction it seemed fitting since the purpose of the benefit is to support a worthy need of humankind, thus helping to redress what Pandora set loose upon the world. Today we think of Pandora’s container as “Pandora’s Box” however the myth according to Hesiod says it was a storage jar. The last thing to come out of the jar was hope, thus giving us reason for optimism in spite of misfortune.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

For more information on this or any of my paintings send an email to: wolberinchina@hotmail.com
Or visit my blog at: http://pwolberart.blog.com/

Berry Picking

“Berry Picking” 5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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Does anyone remember picking raspberries and blackberries in the field? When I was a kid, each year our family would find berry patches and take home lots of berries. The result was fresh berries to eat but also canning, preserving, and making jam and jelly. How many people still do this?

These came from a patch near the pond behind our house. They are great on cereal in the morning.

©Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Three Cherries

"Three Cherries" 5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
To purchase a painting or for more information send email to:
wolberinchina@hotmail.com
or visit my blog at: http://pwolberart.blog.com/

Contrary to what I said before, I’m posting this third in the series of cherry paintings. I often like to do a series of paintings on one theme and often in sets of three, so this is the third in the cherries series. It gives me the opportunity to explore a variety of ways to see a particular subject and to see how viewers respond to these different ideas.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Red Cherries on Oak Table

"Red Cherries" 5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
To purchase a painting or for more information send email to: wolberinchina@hotmail.com
SOLD

This one is a follow up on the first "Cherries" painting posted June 11. Since there were so many responses to that one I decided to paint another. Now I'll finish the cherries in the fridge and wait for another day to come back to this subject.

For more information send email to: wolberinchina@hotmail.com
Or visit my blog at: http://pwolberart.blog.com/
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Peregrine Falcon

This work is still in-progress
6in. x 6in. (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
Not yet available for sale
For more information send email to:
wolberinchina@hotmail.com
or visit my blog at: http://pwolberart.blog.com

This idea was suggested by a collector, who is first in line to buy this painting, but if you'd like to be on the waiting list for this painting, please send me an email and it will be on a first-come-first-served basis. It will be offered at $110. As you can see, this painting is not yet finished but is close enough so that I think you can tell where it is going. More work will be done particularly on the talons and on the markings on the breast and wings.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Spanish Villa South of Madrid

14in. x 10.75in.(35.6cm x27.3cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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This painting was done on sabbatical while traveling in Spain. Periodically I’ll post larger paintings such as this one when I don't have a small one ready in order to add some variety.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

First Spring Lilies

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite® unframed with free shipping in the USA
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The lily is an ancient symbol of new life in many cultures. In Christian iconography it is also the symbol of purity and it always has the feeling of pristine beauty and new life. One of my favorite paintings from early European art is the Merode Altarpiece now in the Cloisters, a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where this flower is used as a symbol. In this painting it is usually considered to be the Lilium Candidum or Madonna Lily. You can see and read about the Merode Altarpiece here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9rode_Altarpiece

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

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Half-Peeled Lemon

6” x 6” (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
Commissioned painting not available for sale

This painting was also done at the request of a collector. It’s always an interesting challenge to meet the requirements of a subject and idea suggested by someone else. This, of course, is not a new idea. Artists throughout history have worked on commissions or a specific subject requested by a collector or patron. One of the great masterpieces of art history is the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo. It’s interesting that Michelangelo was not satisfied to just meet Pope Julius’s requirements but went on to make a painting that went far beyond what the Pope had expected or required of him. There is something in the artists temperament that pushes the artist to always satisfy his/her own aesthetic values as well as those imposed by a patron.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

To receive more information you can send an email to:
wolberinchina@hotmail.com
or go to my blog at: http://pwolberart.blog.com/

Green Pears

6in. x 6in. acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
Commissioned painting not available for sale

This one was done as a commission. The photos above show the step by step process. The third photo shows the finished work but I'll post the full sized image tomorrow.

If you like what you see on this blog but don’t see the specific subject or color you would like, you may consider commissioning a work. To receive my suggestions for how a commission works you can send an email to:
wolberinchina@hotmail.com

My blog is here: http://pwolberart.blog.com/

In Memory Of

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite® unframed
Free shipping within the USA For international shipping contact the artist
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As you may have guessed this subject is based on the American Memorial Day theme, sometimes called Decoration Day, celebrated the last Monday of May. Everyone can name someone who is remembered on this day so you can fill in the name in the title of the painting.

In today’s world we usually send flowers or a card to remember someone, but in times past nobility or those who could afford to do so might commission a work of art such as a painting or sculpture to celebrate or remember someone. I thought it would be appropriate to do a painting to honor this kind of memory, once again returning to that long ago tradition.

Each painting can develop differently. In this case I’m working the painting from top to bottom rather than all over at once. And this one is painted on a white gesso background rather than a colored ground. You can see this method in a number of contemporary artists. One that comes to mind is the work of Neil Welliver who generally worked his paintings from top to bottom.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Apple Blossoms: Signs of Spring

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
To purchase or see all my past postings click HERE.
SOLD
I learned a lot while doing this painting. We usually don’t spray our apple tree for bugs so we only use the apples for apple pie by cutting out the bad spots and leave the rest for the deer to eat in the winter. While photographing the blossoms there was a constant buzz of bees seeing nectar so I had to be careful. Also I noticed that some buds were white or pink while others where a deep crimson red. I’m not sure of the reason for this. Maybe someone out there knows the answer.

There is so much delicate and sensual feeling in the buds a leaves at this time of year, and the painting has more of that in it than is possible to see in the computer image.
© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Wild Violets

5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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This is the third and last painting in the wildflower series. The violets bloomed after the dandelion came up but still in time for Mothers Day. I wanted to contrast the purple color of the violets with the yellows and greens in the leaves and stems. That makes this composition a yellow/purple contrast with red/green secondary contrast.
This painting took more time then I anticipated since my tubes of Brilliant Purple and Medium Magenta were not longer usable so it required a trip to the art supply store. There was no way I could mix those brilliant colors from scratch. Then my camera had a hard time seeing the colors I had painted so I needed to take a lot of photos and adjust the lighting to come close to the actual colors. Those vivid purples are hard to duplicate. I’m ready for a break.

Grocery Bags acrylic painting

Groceries 6in. x 6in. (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite® $150.00
free shipping wihin the USA. For international shipping contact the artist
To purchase or see all my past postings click HERE.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber

Watermelon Wedges: First draft

I just started a new painting, again using a colored ground, but this time a red ground to enhance the color of the watermelon.

5in. x 7in. (12.7cm x 17.8cm ) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
SOLD
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It’s always exciting to see the lively colors popping out, so I thought I would share this with those of you who watch my blog. Last time several people thought the painting was finished right away, but if you see it “in the flesh” you would know it needs more work. If you are truly an expressionist by nature, you will probably want me to stop now and not finish what I intended. This is the fun of watching a painting develop. The colors will actually tame down as I continue. The trick is to stop before I go too far and lose the excitement of the work.
You can see the red ground coming through in a lot of places so this is what gives it that wild, expressive look at this point.

Green Grapes: To see a step by step Demo on using a colored ground visit artist's blog

5” x 7” (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
This painting is sold

I thought you might be interested in seeing the development of a painting on a colored ground. When you decide to own one of these works you will have a better feeling about the process and nature of the painting.
The purpose of a colored ground is to set the color tone for the ambient light in the work.

©Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Terraces, Terraces As Far As The Eye Can See

I tried to experiment with a mix of Classical Realism, Impressionism and a bit of subliminal expressionism in this acrylic landscape painting of China terraces.

Many Chinese people don’t feel they’ve eaten unless they have had their rice for each meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn’t matter. No wonder there are rice terraces in the countryside as far as one can see and beyond.

This painting is a further development of the posting on December 19, 2006. I decided to go back and focus on the landscape in the terraced fields in addition to the water buffalo. The terraces in the distance just keep going up the mountainside. It created an interesting depth of field I tried to capture here.

Rice Terraces
5in. x 7in. (12.7cm x 17.8cm ) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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©Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Mountain peaks in the Qionglai Mountain Range

Mountain Passage: Four Girls Mountain
5” x 7” (12.7cm x 17.8cm) acrylic on gessoed board $125 unframed
with free shipping in USA
for International shipping please send email for shipping costs before purchase
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In China, I’ve hiked, backpacked, climbed and ridden horseback up more mountains than I have anywhere else in the world. This is part of the Qionglai Mountain Range at the eastern end of Hengduan Mountains in Sichuan Province. The peaks are between 6,250 meters and 4,000 meters and you can see the vegetation line where the snow overtakes any vegetation year around. The sky is clear even in China at this altitude.

©Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Hei Long Tan Park Temple

Hei Long Tan Park Temple
5in. x 7in. (12.7cm x 17.8cm ) acrylic on gessoed Masonite®
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We came upon this temple in Li Jiang, Yunnan Province in a place called Hei Long Tan Park. It is one of the most beautiful temples I’ve seen in China because of its repetition of forms and almost white color scheme. I think the visual image speaks for itself.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Red Grapes with Glass Bowl and Carved Wood Table

Red Grapes in Glass Bowl
5 in. X 7 in. (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm) acrylic on gessoed board
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This painting of grapes is one of the small paintings resulting from this study of Classical Realism. Surprisingly, I ended up using a very limited palette of colors. The colors I used were Naphthol Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean Blue Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Mars Black, and Titanium White.

The surface I paint on is very carefully prepared. For the small paintings, 1/8 inch Masonite® board is prepared with usually five coats of gesso with each coat sanded to a smooth surface before the next coat is applied. Sometimes I use a colored ground over the gesso. Colored grounds are usually a deep Bolos Red or a deep Blue Green depending on the ambient light in the painting I’m going to do. The colored ground concept goes all the way back to painters in Venice during Renaissance and Baroque periods of history. This Grapes painting, however, was painted directly on the white gesso surface.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Still Life with Plums and Bowl

Plums and Bowl
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Sometimes an idea presents itself and I just have to paint it without thinking about purpose or message. This painting just fell into place and I enjoyed the colors, forms and simplicity of the composition. There’s nothing more to say except to enjoy the visual experience.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved