I previously showed you the first few steps of this painting. I applied the final layer of paint to it last night. I'm waiting for aday or 2 before I call it complete and sign it. This allows me to think about the piece and get some distance from it. Right now I'm very happy with it. I'm loving the effect the zinc white has on the surfaces of the previous layers of paint and really gives me that atmospheric cloud effect I'm seeking.

From here, the painting will get signed, varnished and gallery (strip) framed. I'll probably have it listed on Artfire later this week or next weekend.

I'm pretty happy with the image. I feel as though I've learned a ton by creating these paintings. My ability to mix the correct shade of blue, purple or warm white has developed over time and I'm getting a feel for brushes that I've never had. I'm confident in my ability to apply paints to my boards and paper in a way I've not been before. In short I feel like these paintings have opened my eyes and mind.

I started a 3rd cloudservation last night too. My process is the same with all of these pieces. I look at my study, look to see what I think works and doesn't work, sketch it to my board, apply intense colors and then apply more layers of color to achieve the right balance of light and dark. So below is my study and the first layer of paint.

Afternoon Sky Study
Originally uploaded by lessherger

One of my early cloud studies. This one painted on my back porch in Beverly, MA. I'm working simply here, just a few colors of paint, a couple of layers, the clouds don't give me time to do much before they are gone. All my cloud studies are available on my artfire page here

If you’ve been following me for any period of time you’ve noticed that I’ve been painting a lot of clouds and sky images this summer. There are many reasons for it, I love to stare at the sky and clouds have always inspired and intrigued me. I wanted to spend some time really looking at them as they floated across the sky. The other thing about clouds and the sky is that it’s ever changing. In 20 minutes the sky is totally different from the moment before.

Capturing the clouds and the sky is an exercise in speed due to its constantly changing nature. The studies are small on purpose so that I ‘m spending a short amount of time on them. The larger sized paintings are based on these observations and I use the studies as a starting point. I might change the colors and shapes but the essence of that moment is realized in the finished image.

So here is my starting point:

And here is my first layer of paint:

My best friend from college and I had a falling out a few years back, it’s old news so I won’t hash it out here, this isn’t the appropriate forum for it. I was reading this blog when I came to the realization that I should forgive him, because he has(d) a disease.

I’ve known my friend since 1996 and I can say that since 1997 he’s been one of my closest friends, at the time of our falling out we’d been friends for over 10 years. He’d been there for me during heartbreak, fun and strange times. The falling out was major and we didn’t speak for over a year.

Part of the reason for the falling out was his disease. He blamed his misdeed on his alcoholism, and frankly I could not forgive him. I could not understand; I was too hurt to try.

I read Jessica Doyle’s post on her addiction, it clicked for me.

In the 2 years between our falling out my buddy hit bottom. His alcohol addiction took over his life. Somewhere in there I got a random email from him (or it seemed random) telling me he was quitting his job nearby to my, moving back home and going into rehab. I was relieved to read the email but at the time I was still too hurt and still wanted to punch him in the mouth for what he’d done.

Over the years my feelings have muted and I’ve for the most part forgiven him. We’ll never be the same but despite his actions I’ll always love him like a brother and care for him more than I do most people.

That’s why it bothers me so much to learn that he’s in the hospital about to have the valve replaced on his heart for a second time.  His surgery is today and I wish him well.

I wanted to give you all a quick update on the situation with the painting I’ve been doing for Oasis Studio fundraising. I had planned on putting it up for 5 day auction on Tuesday (Aug 25th) of this week. I ended up having to work very late that night and was not able to get it varnished nor photographed to list before I collapsed in bed for the evening.

Then came Wednesday with pouring rain and high humidity. I varnished and the varnish took forever to dry. When I went to bed it was not yet dry. As I use a waterbased varnish I couldn’t simple snap pics anyway, as the waterbased varnish is milky.*

Yesterday I didn’t have time to list it before Blade’s show.

So I decided to wait until next Tuesday to start the 5 day auction, which will end on a Saturday.  I’m kind of bummed that the weather and my DayJob would not cooperate to make this a go for this week. But I’ll get better photos over the weekend and I can spend some time on the listing instead of hacking it together.

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Morning Cloud Study
Originally uploaded by lessherger

One of my cloud studies. This one painted on my back porch in Beverly, MA. I'm working simply here, just a few colors of paint, a couple of layers, the clouds don't give me time to do much before they are gone. All my cloud studies are available on my artfire page here

I used to worry a lot about the stuff that I put online. Was it okay to post a blog entry about my sinus infection or my haircut or how I laid out my studio? Should I or should I not swear on my blog. Do I post that drawing of a nekkid person? These are all questions that have gone through my brain on one occasion or another.

I’ve read stuff, online, telling me I shouldn't do any of the above. My language should always be professional. I should never blog about my personal grooming habits, or illnesses. It’s unsafe to blog about the layout of your home.

So I question, what the fuck can I write about? (see what I did there?)

I started blogging anonymously under a pseudonym and changed all names to something funny. I gave no one I knew in real life a link to my blog. I didn’t want it to be associated with me. I wrote openly and honestly about my life. The blog was huge to me. It opened the doors for me to learn how to keep a “real” blog like this one but it also blurred the lines as to what is and is not appropriate.

I try and stay mostly professional but I’m not afraid to curse, I tell you all about my hair, if I’m sick, you know, and frankly I blog about my opinon if I want to.

Still I get people saying, “Should you have blogged that?” To that I say, “Man, life is a journey. If I should have blogged it, I’ll know somehow over time.” This blog is part of my journey.

But for those of you with questionable online experiences you can go and have one of these guys clean up your online presence for you. Me, I’m glad that my first blog was deleted when the server was destroyed.

Morning Cloud Study
Originally uploaded by lessherger

One of my cloud studies. This one painted on my back porch in Beverly, MA. I'm working simply here, just a few colors of paint, a couple of layers, the clouds don't give me time to do much before they are gone. All my cloud studies are available on my artfire page here

This guy's work is dark, creepy and very very good. Check out the 2 videos.

Sometimes I feel a little like "two monkeys on a davenport in their parent's basement"-ish about my UStream, but tonight not so much. (If you don't know what movie that quote is from I don't know if you should read any further.)

At the last minute I decided to wing it and work on a hegehog (aka moleskine binding) for my new "weight weenie" traveling* watercolor set. The weight weenie reference is 2 fold (see foot note below) first it's a biking refernce and secondly it's a weight loss reference. My recent personal goal is to loose another 20 pounds by the end of the calendar year. To do this I need to add exercise to my routine. I figure that the nest way to do it is during the cool autumn days to hoof it out to the trails right down the street from work walk 10 minutes, paint 10 minutes and walk back 10 minutes… Or something like that. I need a goal, like being able to do a sky portrait while I'm out to actually give up my only free 30 minutes a day. So I make a small light weight travel watercolor set (never mind that I have 3 or 4 already…)  out of a mint tin. The whole kit fits into a small bag that is pocket sized and light.

The goal is to have it so small that my coworkers don't ask me questions when I leave the building. If It's small and light I can hide it in a pocket. That way I don't have to answer a million questions when I start my walk. I'll eat while I'm working at my desk. It's not like I can't chew and do data entry at the same time.

So while I was talking during the ustream Eveline of EverlineTimeless was wonderful enough to  to collect the links and email them to me. She's pretty awesome!

The first link leads directly to a PDF description of the hedgehog, smythe or moleskine stitch.

I buy all my thread for bookbinding at JohnNealbooks.com For a variety of reasons. Their customer service is great, shipping fast and reasonable and their prices are not bad. Any higher price is made up by their professional attitude and super fast shipping. I love these guys. I used 35/3 thread for this book. If you are interested in coptic or decorative stitching you should use 12/3. Lineco has a nice linen thread that comes in a smaller amount if you don't know how much binding  you will do.

I use blunt tapestry needle either a 16 or an 18. You can get those anywhere. Don't buy super expensive bookbinding needles. It's a waste of $$$ and the sewing needles you can get at the drug store are just as good as long as they have a nice wide eye and are sturdy.

Tomorrow evening I will list the painting for Jonathan Manning's studio on eBay. 50% of the proceeds will go to Jonathan's studio to help him put on a roof. I'll get it listed and I'll post the links then. I can't wait to see how it pans out.

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