A Bit of Winter Sun

A Warm Welcome.

It's been a tad chilly lately. This, coming from me who loves Maine and cold weather. Me who loves the rippin raw Atlantic Ocean! I do hope all of you have remained safe in wake of recent storms.

I like the warmth too. I like the sun. This was a rather cold day at the beach and overcast in tones of grey. Then suddenly the sun peeked through and this laughing gull was soaking it up.

The challenge here was the red and of course when you have a challenge with one color everything is always in relation to everything else when it comes to color. I like playing complimentary colors off each other so, we have some green with red in it for most of the water to play off the reds in the chair and the oranges get some boost from the blue in the top of the skyline.

That highlight in the hook is green and in some of the shadow areas using green to tone down the red rather than black, brown or blue. It softens it yet it remains solid.

You get some yin and yang going with most gulls as they are a tonal or black and white ratios.

If you have not been over to my new place for seeing my art it's alanphillipstudio.com
Alan Phillips Fine Art. if you use a search engine C'mon over and have a look!

I am working on my first newsletter, theres a place to provide your email on my new site and not sure when the first one is going out, but soon! So sign up and stay in the loop for what's on the Alan Phillips agenda.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016

Seaspray Roses refined

Welcome.

Here is one of my favorite paintings in my studio that I revised a little. I often find that I have completed a work of art but there is just one small thing not quite right and I have yet to discover what that is.

This piece looks and feels right to me now and has more of the original intention of lightness in palette and the little bit of sun caressing the tabletop a sort of sweet and salty seaspray kiss! Fresh!

I would also like to invite you to take a look at my new website alanphillipstudio.com and I have yet to think up a theme for a newsletter, however if enough of you sign up I'll find something interesting to comment on in my art and for the art world in general through my filter, my point of view.

Thank you for your continued readership!

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016

The Road Less Traveled....

Welcome.

Days like the one pictured here are in every way a testament of what I give thanks for in my journey. I find many roads less traveled. I am soooo curious, every day and in every way. These are some dunes I found on the coast of North East Florida in the United States while I was searching for something completely different.

I say," Woah, what's this over here?" Well, looks like perfect dunes, perfect seclusion, I bet there are some perfect breaks down at the shore...yep and I have since gone on some spectacular private picnics there.

This is oil on canvas and is 12 x 24 inches. It is available. The price is $1,200.00 USD plus shipping and if you are interested please feel free to contact me Alan at alanlovesart@gmail.com

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016

La Marche à Minuit à Paris

Welcome.

Hemingway spoke of Paris as his girl. I believe it was for a time. He realized of course that he was not to be her only lover as new younger lovers came courting. My Paris was Boston. Still is. However I was fortunate enough to have a trip to Paris upon graduating from college.

Enchanting, energizing, delicious, invigorating, educational, fun, dazzling, pretty, gorgeous and I felt at home although I barely could get myself fed and find my way to my destinations...I had what you would call a 'vocabulary' small though it was of French words and so if I wanted some cheese I would point and say," fromage s'il vous plaît." Parisians do appreciate a please and thank you more than most. But I was sorely lacking in my ability to have a conversation, however I'm a bit more versed now.

This is a work on paper with black acrylic and water 20 x 30 inches. Most of these word/art pieces that I have posted are about a feeling connected to an idea. They are gestures of what the physical feeling is of that moment as I remember it aligned with the poetry of movement.

I smiled frequently and the Parisians smiled back. I went to the cafe daily with my sketchbook and did quick studies of mostly German tourists who offered me money for my sketches which in turn paid for my coffee and croissants. 

Certainly having mastered the subways in Boston as a kid and New York City I found the Metro a first rate ride with complete ease in getting where I wanted to go. As Joni Mitchell would later sing (of David Geffen I believe) " I was a free man in Paris, unfettered and alive!"

I did often wander around a midnight. I probably did more 'looking' in Paris than any other place I have ever visited. I suppose I was trying to absorb as much as I could hold to carry with me until I could return. 

She was very kind to me and I carry the fondest of memories of that trip in a worshipful  'must get to Mecca', sort of way. Merci.
à bientôt
More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016

May 2016 Blossom Like Fresh Garden Roses!!

Welcome.

Last day of the year! 2015 has been very good to me..the grace I have received is beyond words. I salute you with roses! I salute you also who are looking at my art and reading my posts. Happy New Year. I wish you every desire you hold in your heart come true.

This is a 10 x 10 inch square oil on gallery wrap canvas. It is by far one of my most gestural florals yet.  (This is a good thing, a happy intention realized in case you were wondering) And if you think it might be a salute to the immensely talented Mr. Manet, you are correct!

This is a work that is in a private collection created specifically for my very good friend Melissa who is a constant gardener. Thank you for all of the nurturing love you give to the earth and the humans who are lucky enough to be in your orbit.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015

"SURRENDER" revisited

Welcome.

Ahhh, now that's just right. I have liked this painting since creating it and it did not take a lot of revision. However the cloud/sky  photo that I was using as reference was in a much more grey tonal mode. It felt as though the boy might be surrendering to a storm...that was not my intention. It is the surrender of the day, one's trials, one's choices to the sand, sky and sea to be washed clear in meditation.

Giving the background sky a bright day color of blue sets it apart I think. There is a bit more color overall in this version and more depth.

This painting is 12 x 16 inches and is framed in white board 1 inch thick by 4 inches wide. It is oil on canvas and is available for purchase to add to your collection. The price is $1,200.00 USF plus shipping. If you are interested you can contact me, Alan at alanlovesart@gmail.com

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015

Ryan's Watch

Welcome.

My nephew Ryan is an Atlantic Beach lifeguard. This is an interpretation of what a solitary morning might look like on a day that was not precisely a 'beach day' where he would be surveying his territory. However, every day is a beach day for me and I am always on the lookout for interesting things to paint and make art from that occur on the beach.

This is an oil painting on a watercolor canvas panel that is 12 x 16 inches. I find so much color available in what many see as a gray and tonal world. If you look closely and with receptivity you too will find a universe of color at the beach. And, do I just dig that bounce of red in the chair and orange in the flag against the more subtle color!!??

Just a short mention here that I do accept commissions for paintings like this that are beach related. Just contact me, Alan at alanlovesart@gmail.com to discuss your specific ideas.

Ryan's Watch is now in a private collection.

More to come......

All art copyright  Alan Phillips 2015