Split Personality

I have created another painted instrument for the Kenosha Orchestra Boosters. This year, we have been asked to paint violas. I decided I wanted to paint the instrument in the same theme as last year's cello. When I received the viola, I let it sit out for a week and I kept looking at it, waiting for it to "speak to me." I also researched music looking for contemporary viola music... no luck. Everything I found sounded like chamber music, not quite like the Apocalyptica music I found last year. Finally, this weekend, I began by painting the entire viola black. I then decided to stripe the cello so I taped out the areas to stay black. I left even gradually increasing spacing starting with 1/8, then 1/4, 1/2, 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 1 3/4 and finally 2 inch spaces. I then painted the untaped areas with white gesso. Finally, in keeping with last year's theme, I drew a face on the viola and painted it in shades of Naples Yellow, Cadmium Red Light and Raw Sienna. The eye is Ultramarine Blue and Black mixed with the Raw Sienna was used for the eyebrow and the dark areas. I wanted to keep the entire painting very loose so I painted mostly with a size 12 bristle. The image I used was a photo I took of a model through a shower wall with water droplets on the glass. The white circles in the painting are the drops. The back of the viola was left black and the sides were painted with Cadmium Red Light mixed with Interference Gold, giving the side the look of metallic copper.

The viola will be on display at Lemon Street Gallery at 4601 Sheridan RD in Kenosha until the auction date in mid February.

You can view my artwork at www.dsimoneau.com

Bocce on the Beach

"Bocce on the Beach" is one of my recent acrylic on canvas paintings. It is currently in my group exhibition at Lemon Street Gallery in Kenosha, WI (http://www.lemonstreetgallery.org/). The painting is of a scene I saw last summer on Long Sands Beach in York, ME. I compose with my camera typically and I loved this off balance composition with the lone figure on the left and the group on the right. I love the feeling of the late afternoon sunlight as well. This painting, while realistic and photographic-appearing from a distance, is actually quite loosely painted with very little blending of colors. The technique is a departure for me but I am really pleased with the result. The painting is 24 x 48 inches.

As usual, comments are greatly appreciated.