A Conversation, art and otherwise

Welcome to the art blog of Mike Menius, Northern CA plein air painter. Please join the ongoing conversation about art, the studio projects, etc.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

"Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite" image


"Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite"

This work is near completion, but I'm taking a break, to have a fresh look later.  It is colored pencil (Luminance pencils) on Fabriano art paper.  10"H x 8"W.  My reference photo, from a recent trip to Yosemite.  This is a tumbling stream, below the Bridal Veil Falls.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

"Blue Jar & Persimmons"

This colored pencil piece, on Fabriano paper, is called "Blue Jar & Persimmons."  It is based on a photo taken last autumn, when the persimmons were ripening on my tree.  Pencils used were the Luminance line, from Caran d'Ache.  They are lightfast, which is important, for the long life of the art.

"Blue Jar & Persimmons" image


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

revised: "Floating Columns I" image


Revised version of "Floating Columns I" painting

Above is a revised version of the painting "Floating Columns I."  The previous version is shown below.  I felt the colors needed to be softened, to make the mood more soothing.  I used a thin glaze of white, varying it with different thicknesses around the composition.  28"H x 28"W.  oil on wood panel.

Earlier version of "Floating Columns I"


Monday, February 18, 2013

"Floating Columns" painting, revised (image)


"Floating Columns" painting, revised

This is a revised version of an earlier painting, using softer, cooler colors.  After living with this painting on the wall, I had a gut feeling that this would be a better interpretation of what the painting was saying.   Oil on wood panel.  36"H x 24" wide.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

"Three Grandsons" image


"Three Grandsons"

This is a fun piece, in colored pencil.  Over the Christmas holidays, I had a joint coloring session with 3 of Ken's grandsons.  We sat around the bench table and had fun with colors.  They did their thing; I did mine.  Here (finally!) is my finished product.  It has the boys' names etched into the design, in two places.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

"Emerald & Green abstract," image


"Emerald & Green abstract"

This painting is an abstract, based around emerald and gold-orange colors.  The geometric areas were added, to give drama and energy.  Some people prefer the abstract by itself; others don't see the abstract, until the dramatic patterns are a part of the painting. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

"Valencia orange & Prussian green abstract," image


"Valencia orange & Prussian green abstract"

This oil painting, on wood panel, is a pure abstract, in earth tones, with overlays of Valencia orange and Prussian green.  It is designed to allow the viewer's imagination to take control and see anything.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Triptych, Blue-Green & Lavender (image)


Triptych, Blue-Green & Lavender

The blue-green and lavender patterns were overlaid on a triptych that is purely abstract, based on a color scheme of soft peach.  The blue-green and lavender provide bright colors that pop out against the more subdued abstract.  Each of the three canvasses is 24" high and 12" wide.