Purple Chairs

This is from a friend's photograph. Bright sunlight through the vine on the wall

its always an adventure...

Starbucks, K.C. Plaza

The big tree in the patio is unique. Took some liberty with the railing, added some flowers.

It's always an adventure...

Summer Audience/ 4 Olives Bar

Summer Audience

4 Olives Bar

Just catching up on a few of my sketches. Summer Audience is from an old photo of Paris.

4 Olives Bar is from a quick plain air/part photo of a restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas.

Both done rather quickly

It's always an adventure...

Lunch on Post Alley, Seattle

Lunch on Post Alley, Seattle

Sketched this from a photo I took last summerAt the Seattle Pike Place market, specifically down post alley at Cafe Campagne. I did a quick study pen and ink sketch on my spiral watercolor pad. Filled in the colors months later.

It's always an adventure....

World Blog Hop

Thanks to my friend Don MacKay for his preceding me in this World Blog Hop experiment.

You all have seen this work. I'm working on one similar right now...

What am I working on? 

This month and next I am getting settled in my remodeled studio in our house on Whidbey Island.  I plan to do larger canvas work there plus larger watercolors.  

Presently I am working on 6 different works, mostly acrylics.  I am getting ready for my "Featured Artist" show at Parklane Fine Arts Gallery in Kirkland, coming up this year during the month of June.  The theme of my show this year will be scenes in and around Paris, especially street cafe scenes, day and nighttime moods.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I have been experimenting with a number of techniques. I'm self-taught.  My style seems to be emerging now after three years. People have told me that it's different from others in that you can tell that I created it. 

Why do I write/create what I do?

My talent is a gift. I do it because I can, and it gives me deep satisfaction and reason to be.  I do it to please others who enjoy looking at it.

How does my writing/creating process work?

I create as a response to an emotion I get when I see the world around me. Much of what I draw/paint is a creative desire to capture a mood or sense of place and relay it to the viewer of my work so they can sense the emotion, or better yet, to experience their own emotional response to what they see in my work.

I often just think of what my response will be. I can't pick up the brush or knife and paint for a few minutes. Painting for me is like wading into a pool of time. I have to have a pool of time or it doesn't work. Could be a couple hours or an afternoon of unscheduled time.  And time ceases to exist when I'm in it. It's hard to explain.

Viewing my work on this blog is a bit cumbersome in that it only allows a chronological array. Go to my other site to see my works in groups. It is easier to navigate and you can purchase prints of my work directly from Artspan.  http://www.johncannonart.artspan.com

Who will be next on the world Blog Hop?

Kimberly Adams is a new artist at Parklane Fine Arts Gallery in Kirkland.

Her oil paintings are made without the use of brushes or tools using only her finger tips to apply the paint.  She Grew up in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado and now lives in the Pacific Northwest.

www.art-by-kimberly.tumblr.com

www.facebook.com/artbykimberlyadams

Late Night Cafe

Late Night Cafe

Another scene that I borrowed from assorted photographs I have from Paris.  Can't remember what district this is in, it's actually several parts.  It's mainly a study in color and light.

It's always an adventure...

Nightfall on Rue Cler

Nightfall on Rue Cler

This is from a combination of images I have from Paris.  I saw another night scene like this and wanted to put my own spin on it with images I had taken.  This isn't as much a specific spot, but more of a mood I wanted to paint.  I love the perspective, and the angles of shapes.

It's always an adventure...

Holiday at Luxembourg

Holiday at Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

Yes, I have had a fixation on this magical place with the trees, people and sunlight.  I am learning a lot doing these.  I hope to improve my "people drawing" skills.  I like to show different folks in all sorts of various moods and animation.  The couple at the front table, for instance, may each be just as lonely as the guy by himself at the next table....They're just lonely together.

It's always an adventure...

Under the Skylight

Study 

Study for future painting - sketch in Vancouver, Granville Island, small deli area under bright sun.

It's always an adventure...

Lunch at the Park

I know, but I'm enamored by these summer scenes at Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.  I'm still working on my 'people skills' painting folks in different poses, gestures.  Each work I do is a learning experience for me.  I tried to capture the hub-bub and energy of the lunch crowd.

The lone green wine bottle somehow becomes the focus of this piece, by itself on a sparse table setting.  The man and woman are holding their wine glasses away from view.  The  man behind them is patiently awaiting a menu, lost in thought.

It's always an adventure...

Summer lunch at Luxembourg Gardens

Lunch at the Gardens

I have started doing more studies of sunlight filtered through the trees.  Luxembourg Gardens in Paris is a 'photo-rich' environment for this in the summer.

It's always an adventure...

At the Marina

At the Marina

I just completed this one recently.  It's on my web site as well.  This is at the Seattle waterfront from a photo last year.

www.johncannonart.artspan.com

It's always an adventure...

The Game

The Game

This is another scene from Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.  I wanted to emphasize the light and shadow using watercolor as the medium.  The paper is the light on the foreground as well as light spots on the gravel field beyond.

It's always an adventure...

The magic of Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

Tree Shade, Luxembourg Gardens

I remain fascinated by the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris and the magic there.  This is oil/acrylic on 11 x 14  gesso board

It's always an adventure...