Progress on this Cold Day

What better to paint on a cold January day than a tropical scene, with a volcano of course (white space on painting is where it will go). Volcanos are a bit of a motif in these tropical paintings; I have not pulled out my dream analysis to determine what it symbolizes, but I will soon [Update, dormant volcanos are feelings and issues resolved and laid to rest; erupting volcanos represent either an inability to control emotions or unresolved emotional issues. Ha! Why am I not surprised. fprm, 1-10-09, 7:12 p.m.]. For this piece, as yet untitled, I wanted a very minimal representation of my tropical paradise scene. There may be some additional detail, but not the same detail as in the studio pictures or the studies of coffee cups or whiskey glasses.

Saturday

Today it is a cold Saturday in Albany.

And it is chili day: ground beef and kidney beans, simmering in red wine (Bully Hill's Baco Noir), with a new chili powder concoction I put together. It includes chili powder, salt, pepper, lots of cumin, some nutmeg, a bit of cinammon and a tablespoon of 8 o'clock coffee grinds.

Earlier, I made pancakes and dedicated them to a friend of mine, who enjoys pancakes.



And then I started doing a little painting.

Below are some examples of paintings completed and in progress.

The Playwright's Study



Volcano and Orange Moon



and

Redhead in Bed - in progress



What is both fun and frustrating for me with oil, as opposed to acrylic, is that I start something new while waiting for others to dry, and it seems as if I do not finish many. Completion is a good thing, but the process...the creative process is more important.

It is supposed to snow tonight into tomorrow, heavily I guess and up to 10" possibly. It is a good day to stay in and paint...drink a beer and have some chili.