Have a Scary Halloween!

Clown-Fish; 5" x 5" acrylic on paper, by Greg Newbold

Here's another one of my goofy fish that I finished just yesterday. It seemed appropriate for Halloween. This one is a little creepier than usual, but still pretty funny. It's getting shipped off to a fundraiser for the Westmont Museum of Fine Art in Santa Barbara, California. Everyone was given a 5" x 5" piece of BFK paper to do anything they wanted on. My friend Scott Anderson teaches art there and when I saw his contribution, I was a little embarrassed by my previous effort. It was a fun drawing, but not typical of my painted work. I asked for another shot and this is what came out of it. I did it as a demo for my Illustration 1 class at BYU. I have seen a few on the pieces for this show posted online and I think a few people are going to end up getting some little gems. I'm tempted to bid myself.

Happy Birthday Muddy Colors!

Have some cake, Muddy Colors!

The Muddy Colors Blog turned one year old today. If you have not checked it out yet, it is one of the most inspiring and informative art blogs on the internet and I look at it all the time. Contributors include some of my favorite fantasy illustrators like Dan Dos Santos, Gregory Manchess, Justin Gerard and Petar Meseldzija. Go see what it's all about at http://muddycolors.blogspot.com

Don't stop looking at my blog though..

Painting Kolob Canyon-Part 2

View Up Taylor Creek- Oil; 6" x 8" by Greg Newbold

After a first attempt at painting Kolob Canyon which I posted earlier here, We ventured down the canyon a couple of miles and hauled our gear a little way up Taylor Creek for another shot at the majestic red rock. Looking back, I guess I was enamored with the way the light played off the sheer salmon colored rock faces and the contrasting cobalt blue skies because I painted a close sister to the first picture.

The View from Taylor Creek- Kolob Canyon, Utah

In some ways I think the paint application in this second attempt is better than the first. I figured out some of the paint mixing and though this one is smaller at 6" x 8" rather than 8" x 10", it also went much faster. I like the sky  color better in the first.

Blocking in the rough shapes

It's not very evident in the digital version, but this one got a little too dark. I'll touch it up in the studio. Evaluating things like values and temperature after the fact is an important exercise for me to learn how to more accurately capture what I am seeing in my outdoor studies. They then become much more of a reaction to and interpretation of nature rather than a slavish copy.

Fueling the Fire

Fueling the Fire- 11.5" x 12" acrylic/mixed media by Greg Newbold

Sometimes the only way to keep the wolves at bay is to fuel the fire. Make sure your creative fire is always stoked with new and interesting projects. I have found over the years that I have to take time to do work that is just for myself or just for fun. The breakthroughs and discoveries I make during these explorations are what keeps me excited to do those inevitable jobs that are less than thrilling, but that pay. By injecting aspects of my explorations into my paying work, I have been able to keep my creative fires burning. If you don't have anything exciting going on in your paying work, come up with a personal project that excites you and get to work. The benefits are enormous and far reaching.

Painting Kolob Canyon

Last Thursday night I presented at Southern Utah University which was a lot of fun. I go tot meet back up with friends and fellow artists Ben Sowards and Ron Spears who both teach there.

Kolob Morning - 8" x 10" Oil, by Greg Newbold

On Friday we went out plein air painting with a group of students. My aunt Carol also came and painted with us which was a lot of fun. Here are a few shots from the morning painting. I spent just under two hours on my study.

My painting- top; center by Ben Sowards; bottom by Ron Spears

See my second painting of the day here

Crowbar's Farewell

Crowbar's Farewell- Acrylic/mixed media; 12" x 18"- Greg Newbold

I did a series of paintings for a story written by Jean Craighead George called When Crowbar Came. Based on a true story of a crow who was befriended by the authors' family and the shenanigans that this very smart crow perpetrated during his time with them.  I painted seven scenes for an educational reading anthology series and this piece was the finale. In the end, the crow decided he belonged with those of his kind. When all the crows scattered like leaves in the wind one fall, Crowbar went with them.

Overcast-Provo Bay

Overcast- Provo Bay; 6" x 8" oil by Greg Newbold 

The other day our class painted under chilly and overcast conditions. A storm was blowing in that later that night began to drop the first snow of the season. Here's a progression of how the painting came together.

Upcoming SUU Visit

I'll be speaking and showing my work at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah this Thursday evening. We will meet in the Centrum Arena, Section K at 7:00 pm.  If you happen to be in the Southern Utah area, come join us. I am also looking forward to joining a group of faculty and students on Friday to do some plein air painting on Friday amid the spectacular southern Utah scenery.

Painting at Provo Bay

Provo Bay plein air painting block in.

Monday we went and painted at the edge of Provo Bay on Utah Lake. Here is a progression of my painting. I spent a total of about an hour and forty minutes.

Here I have started to "pull" in the grass

I always second guess how the painting went when I am done, and this one is no different. Outdoor painting is a unique challenge and I am still learning how to do it.

Provo Bay painting, final result- 8" x 10" Oil

Provo Bay

I am debating whether to continue this piece next time or start another. Of course weather conditions may dictate my choice. If we have an overcast day, I'll start something new. 

Farmer's Market Banner

My painting "Bumper Crop" flying high  on Salt Lake street poles

Wandering downtown Salt Lake City, this summer, I looked up to see my work hanging from a light pole. In fact, this banner was hanging from virtually every light pole in a two block area of Pioneer Park where the Farmer's Market is held every Saturday during the summer and early fall. This painting has effectively become the brand identity of the market and I am just fine with that. Next year will celebrate the tenth year that my work has been the icon of the Downtown Farmer's Market.

The Art of Salsa

A couple of weeks ago, I harvested our lovely tomatoes as well as many of the different peppers we grew in our garden this summer. I spent the morning peeling, slicing and dicing until I had 21 tasty pints of homemade salsa.

My 21 pints of yumminess- somebody get the chips!

I think salsa making is an art form unto itself and I think I pretty much have it down thanks to a recipe I got from my brother and sister in law. In addition to my normal mix of Anaheim and Jalapeno peppers, this year the kick to my batch was augmented by a single tiny red Serrano pepper. I added such a nice flavor element and just the right amount of heat.