Friday, December 14, 2012

Pears Ready for Picking


Pears Ready for Picking

8 in. X 6 in. (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm) acrylic on canvas
SOLD

To see all my past work on this blog click HERE.
Go to my other blog here: http://pwolberart.blog.com

This is an update of an earlier painting. I repainted the color of the pears and focused the light in a new way. From time to time I'll do a series on canvas rather than board for variety.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Toy Truck with Antique Blocks: T is for truck

Toy Truck with Antique Blocks
5” x7” (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) original acrylic on hand primed board $125 w/free shipping in US & and Canada
To see available paintings on my blog you can go to my Daily Painters Gallery HERE
 SOLD
This is another of the alphabet series I started this year. The toy blocks are from a set made by The Embossing Company of Albany, NY possibly around 1915. These blocks include pictures numbered one through 10 with black and white silhouette characters. Other sides show embossed alphabets with bright colors painted on the surface and a variety of pictures with names such as tree, hat, and wagon so children could learn to spell the names of familiar object.. These are great for a decorating a kid’s room or for learning areas or playrooms for kids. 

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved 
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Tiger Lily: Wildflower

Tiger Lily: Wildflower
6in x 6in (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm) acrylic on gesso primed board unframed $125 w/free shipping in USA and Canada.
To see available works in my daily painters galler click HERE
SOLD

Tiger Lilies are everywhere along the highways of Michigan, so we often forget to take a closer look at this beautiful flower. The contrast of colors and delicate textures are what drew me in while painting this image. This is a painting done some time ago that I've reposted here.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved


Friday, November 30, 2012

Rose Breasted Grosbeaks

Rose Breasted Grosbeacks
(click photo to see more detail) 
 8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting on hand primed board $350 w/free shipping in US and Canada
To see available paintings in my Daily Painters Gallery click  HERE
 

I’ve had this painting on my drawing board for a long time, but have just now got back to finish it. At my bird feeder, these two birds have been in competition. Birds are always an enigma. There interactions are really fun to watch, so that’s what this painting is about.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wild Turkeys

Three Wild Turkeys

7” x 5” (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm) original acrylic on hand primed board $125 w/free shipping in US & and Canada
To see past work in my dailypainters gallery click HERE.
To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click HERE


Across the road from my studio is Fenner Arboretum where a lot of wild turkeys roam. I spotted this group of three turkeys and wanted to show more detail. I did the close up study first then decided to post both the close up and the group of three and make them both available. You can see the close up below on yesterdays posting (November 20)..

One of my hero’s of wildlife painting of the past is Louis Agassiz Fuertes. A search of Cornell library for his drawings and paintings of wild turkeys didn’t turn up a lot except a beautiful drawing study from 1916 of a wild turkey head. You can see it HERE
It’s always instructive to see the detailed studies of a great artist such as Fuertes.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Wild Turkey study


 Wild Turkey head study
7” x 5” (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm) original acrylic on hand primed board $125 w/free shipping in US & and Canada
To see past work in my dailypainters gallery click HERE.
To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click HERE


This was the study for the three turkeys painting posted on November 21. I thought someone might be interested in having this painting as well.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Blue Jay - Soft Landing painting of a Blue Jay in flight

acrylic painting of a Blue Jay Landing
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting unframed on hand primed board $325 with free shipping in US and Canada


 To see available works or contact Paul in my daily painters gallery click HERE.
 
I’ve waited a long time to capture this instant when the Blue Jay is landing, yet has it’s wings spread enough to see the beautiful markings. My kitchen window bird feeder has been the ideal place to watch this majestic bird. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to capture the moment, however when I looked at the shots, he was stopped in mid action for this view, so here is the result.

When he is at the bird feeder, other birds were at first afraid to come near, but now they know the Jay is tolerant. He’s just much larger, so they still keep a respectful distance.  He isn’t afraid of anything, so he pretty much rules the area.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber Art Studio
All Rights Reserved

Monday, October 8, 2012

Nature's Calligraphy: Final Posting of a Step-by-step painting in progress

Nature's Calligraphy
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting unframed on hand primed board $325 with free shipping in US and Canada
SOLD
 To make a purchase or see available works contact Paul in my daily painters gallery click HERE.


This is the fourth and final session with this painting. You can see the step-by-step development below. There are some very subtle colors in this painting and I scan my work on a color corrected Mac monitor, so some of the colors may not show up on your monitor unless it is also color corrected for the Pantone® color system.

The idea for this painting is that nature has a very profound and beautiful effect on everything we see, and there is natural poetry written into each slice of our world we view. If you look closely, you can see the secrets and messages that nature has to tell. The weathered wood, the scars and marks that nature makes, the subtle colors and aging of the wood, the passage of time that changes the texture and color, the insect trails in the wood, and the way light and shadow falls on the surface are all part of what I am looking for in this painting.
© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Is Art Really a Visual Language?

Paul teaching students in Chongqing, China 2000

Is Art Really a Visual Language? From Paul's experience teaching in China

In 2000 I was invited to be a visiting guest professor of art in Chongqing, China and was able to teach oil painting classes to Chinese students in Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in that Chinese city. As an artist and teacher I had always declared that art was a visual language, and I suppose I believed that to be true, however, I never fully understood the reality of it until I was able to teach students whose verbal language I understood very little. The art students in China had all studied English but most did not have a speaking knowledge of English, and of course when I went there to teach, I understood very little Chinese. I was given a Chinese interpreter to assist me in my class; however, she was available in the morning formal class only so when I went back to the painting lab in the afternoon, I was entirely on my own to communicate with the students.

To my surprise, I found that it was not that difficult to communicate with the students what I wanted them to do in their paintings. I would often just do a demonstration on paper or pick up a brush and mix some color, then put a few strokes on the canvas to show the student how to correct or improve their work. It soon became very clear to me and to my students that we had a “visual language” we both understood, and verbal language was not that necessary in order for us to communicate about the art. Of course, at the beginning of a project I had the interpreter in the class so I could give a short lecture or introduction, but after that we could communicate “visually” with pencil or brush and sometimes with gestures to understand each other.

It was through this experience of teaching in a foreign country and with students who did not understand my verbal language that I learned art is even more of a visual language than I had fully understood before. When I came back to America to teach English speaking students, I could say from true experience that art really is a visual language, and with the conviction that it is not just a conventional way of describing art, but that I had truly experienced it in a practical and actual way.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Work in Progress: Step 3

click painting above to see larger view
 
 Work in Progress: Natures Calligraphy: Session 3
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting unframed on hand primed board
To email Paul or see all work in my daily painters gallery click HERE.


This is the third session for this painting. Sometimes it’s more instructive to see a work in progress than to view the finished work. You can see the process the artist is going through to create the painting.

I’ve not had much time to work on this painting, so here you can see the third session where I’ve laid in more texture. Nature has a way of giving us her secrets if we look carefully, and each person is going to get some messages from her depending on how carefully you are tuned in to her poetry. I still have another session or two before I’m satisfied that I’ve communicated the whole story here.  You can see some other step by step processes on my blog HERE  and HERE.

I’m also working on a couple commissions this year and though I don’t often do commissions, I’ve decided to be available now until Christmas for those who would like to work out a commission. Just go to my Daily Painters Gallery HERE and click on any painting and send an email to ask about working out something for a commission.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fall Is In The Air: Colors in North Michigan

Fall Colors in North Michigan
6in. x 6in. (15.2cm x 15.2cm) acrylic on gesso primed board
 unframed with free shipping in USA and Canada
SOLD
It's been a long time since I've done a 6" x 6" painting. This one I set aside to do some touch up and finally got the soft colors I liked. It was originally done up north in Michigan when the colors were in full bloom. Since I'm not in my studio this week-end to work what's on my easel I'll post this to remind you of the beauty that is going on around us in the fall season.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Monday, September 17, 2012

Cosmic Paradigm: Pauls entry in ArtPrize 2012

Cosmic Paradigm
38 inches x 60 inches acrylic on hand primed board


This is Paul's entry in 2012 ArtPrize.  This is the first time for him to enter this event. His painting, "Cosmic Paradigm" is displayed at Sundance Grill and Bar in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The address is 40 Pearl St. NW. If you are going to visit ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, please stop by to see his work in the banquet room at the restaurant. If you like his work, please take the time vote for him. Many people visit ArtPrize, however not so many actually vote. The vote code for his work is 52436.

Before you vote for any artwork, you must register at one of 11 ArtPrize registration sites in Grand Rapids, then you can vote online, by text message or mobile app. From September 19 (Noon) to September 29 (11:59pm), you can vote to select the Top 10 artworks from the 1516 entries. From September 30 (2:00pm) to October 4 (11:59pm), you can only cast one vote for your favorite of the Top 10.

 Here is a link for Pauls work at ArtPrize: http://www.artprize.org/paul-wolber/2012/cosmic-paradigm

His work at Art Prize is 38 inches x 60 inches, and most works on this blog are small paintings.

 During ArtPrize time, Paul will be in Grand Rapids for a few days. If you would like to meet him, please email him your schedule to see if it is possible to meet up in Grand Rapids. To send an email, go to his dailypainters gallery and click HERE. On his gallery page you can click on any painting then click on the "Contact Me" box to send an email.
 

Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends.

 © Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Bird of Paradise Flower

                                Bird of Paradise Flower Composition
                                   (Click painting to see larger view) 
8 in. x 6 in. (20.3 cim x 15.2 cm) original acrylic on hand primed board unframed w/free shipping in US and Canada.
To see past work in my dailypainters gallery click HERE.
SOLD

Even though this flower is indigenous to South Africa, it can now be found in many places around the world. We saw it everywhere in Hawaii, especially in the rain forests of Maui and Oahu. I spent some time thinking about the painting I wanted to do of this flower, then finally settled on this composition of two flowers seeming to react to one another.

©Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Magic is In The Details: Detail of 5” x 7” Juvenile Cooper’s hawk

                              (Click Image above to see larger view)            
                          Hawk head detail: See full painting below

7” x 5” (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm) original acrylic on hand primed board $125 w/free shipping in US & and Canada
To see past work in my dailypainters gallery click HERE.
To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click HERE


Sometimes we miss what the artist really puts into a painting. A small painting is really a miniature or very tiny detail or abstraction of reality. In this case the detail head of this hawk is “Blown up” three or four times actual size depending on your computer screen so you can see the detail. The actual measurement of the detail above in the original painting is no more that  1 3/8 inches. Blown up even more, it becomes almost an abstract painting, demonstrating the concept that “all art is abstract”.

My theory of art is that art is form, based on color relationships, patterns, shapes, mass, space or depth and textures. We may see these as recognizable objects such as a bird or a landscape, but they are made up of all these form elements. The devil or “Magic” is in the details and here you can see how form makes up this small painting.

©Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Monday, September 3, 2012

Daily Bread


Daily Bread
7” x 5” (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm) acrylic on hand primed board w/free shipping in US & and Canada
To see past work in my dailypainters gallery click HERE.
To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click HERE
To receive email postings of my work send email to Paul
SOLD
Bread symbolizes many things. As a staple of life to some it represents plenty, to others the Eucharist, and still others it is the food that keeps one alive.

I enjoy making bread with my bread machine. This painting is a loaf of herb bread that is great with honey or simply dipped in olive oil. Being awakened by the smell of fresh bread just out of the oven is a wonderful treat. I wanted this painting to evoke not only the sight and taste of fresh bread, but also the wonderful yeast aroma of hot steaming bread right out of the oven.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Hawaiian Holiday: On the Road to Hana

            Hawaiian Holiday: A stop on the Road to Hana
   8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting unframed on hand primed board $325 w/free shipping in US and Canada
To see all work in my daily painters gallery click HERE



What could be more refreshing and relaxing than a day on the oceanfront with balmy sky and deep blue ocean, with the smell of saltwater air and gentle lashing of the surf? This is my reflection of that kind of day.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, September 1, 2012

European White Stork

                                European White Stork
(click photo to see more detail) 
 8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting on hand primed board w/free shipping in US and Canada

To receive email of new postings click below or send email to Paul
To see  available works in my daily painters gallery click HERE 
SOLD
In my  painting above the stork is taking off from a pinnacle on the roof of Saint Martin’s church. The bird’s huge nest above the apse of the church must have been at least 6 feet in diameter.  These great nests are said to sometimes be over 100 years old with the same stork returning to them and rebuilding them year after year.

The stork is considered a desirable bird in cities like Colmar because it has a long tradition that  symbolizes the bringing of wealth and children and of course everyone has seen pictures of the stork delivering babies.

In 2011 we observed this white stork first in a nest on the roof of Saint Martin’s Collegiate Church in Colmar, France. I wanted to visit Colmar to once again see Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece. For me it is one of the great works of art from 16th century France.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, August 25, 2012

A is for auto: alphabet blocks

A is for auto: alphabet blocks painting
(Click image to see larger view}
5" x 7" (15.2 cm x 20.3 cm) original acrylic painting on board $125 w/free shipping in US and Canada
To purchase or see past work in my daily painters gallery click HERE 
SOLD
 I've set a goal of eventually doing a 5" x 7" painting of each letter of the alphabet, a kind of alphabet book using antique kids blocks with an image for each letter. I don't expect to do them in alphabetical order since I'll need to find ideas and materials for each letter, but eventually I'll try to complete all the letters in the alphabet. This is the first one in that series. Also, don't expect to see them all in a series, since I expect to post other painting subjects as I go along. If you have ideas for some of the letters, you can send me an email and I'll take a look at your ideas.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Cedar Waxwing Pair

                A Regal Pair of Cedar Waxwings
10" x 8" (25.4cm x 20.3cm) acrylic on hand primed board $325 with free shipping in US & and Canada

To see past work click HERE 
To contact me directly by email click HERE


My first sighting of Cedar Waxwings was as a kid of about eleven or twelve years old. A flock of Waxwings invaded our yard and settled on our cherry tree. They were there for a few days then disappeared. When I spotted this pair while biking the other day I knew I wanted to paint them to bring back the memory of many years ago.

© Copyright 2012 by Paul Wolber
 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

MAUI SURF

                               Maui Surf: Surfing on windward side of Maui Island
                                  (click photo to see more detail)
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting on hand primed board $325 w/free shipping in US and Canada

To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click
 HERE

To email me directly click HERE
 

This is a painting from our summer travels in Hawaii. The Island of Maui was our favorite location and watching the surfers in early morning was delightful. I wanted to capture the movement and rush of the waves as they came crashing into the shore and hope you can feel and hear the sound of the water as you view this work.

© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved

Monday, April 30, 2012

Kingfisher

                                                        Kingfisher
                                      (click photo to see more detail)

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) original acrylic painting on hand primed board $250 w/free shipping in US and Canada

To see past work in my daily painters gallery click HERE
To see available works in my dailypainters gallery click
 HERE




 
This is a study for a larger painting I'm working on. I thought some of my collectors might be interested seeing the parts or details of a larger painting. I spotted this little kingfisher last fall along the Lansing River waiting for his next catch.
 
© Copyright by Paul Wolber
All Rights Reserved