catfish_charlie

I haven't posted in a while, so here are a few new pieces. I'll put all but one behind a cut to spare those who don't want to look at a bunch of pictures... not that I can understand why anyone wouldn't want to look at a bunch of pictures, but whatever.

First, this painting I finished yesterday;

Title: Palingenesis
Medium: Acrylic on stretched canvas
Size: 20" x 16"


Details plus more artwork; ( behind this cut )

Thanks for looking!

This painting is like a spontaneous road trip where you think you are going one place, but somewhere between home and where you planned to go you decide to take a detour and wind up somewhere totally unexpected with delightful results. If you've never done that, I strongly recommend trying it.

My original goal for this painting was something soft and organic, with roundish shapes gently back-lit by a greenish light. Once I started painting in the green patterns for the background, I found myself enjoying them so much that I knew I wanted to do something else instead. I added a splash of red to balance the composition and then stepped away from the painting for a bit to decide where I wanted to go next. This was what it looked like at that point;



I don't know why but the impression of tenement columns (or maybe it was fish bones or bridge supports) was the theme that kept popping into my skull, so I grabbed the knife and roughly placed the forms that were in my head onto the canvas. After that, I just added details and highlights with a liner brush. One of the greatest challenges I have is knowing when to quit, so once it became obvious that any further additions would only change the painting and not necessarily improve it, I decided to call it "done".



"Architext", 20 x 16 inches, acrylic on canvas
As for the name, well, don't even ask.

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.”
      -Edgar Allan Poe

Title: "Dream by Day"
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 3 1/2 x 2 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to eBay store)

I finally got some time yesterday to get some serious work done on this piece, and I finished it up this morning. My goal with this painting was to portray the puerile, naive trust that children sometimes possess. As is true with all my work, there are things I do and things I don't like about the finished piece, but overall I'm rather happy with it.

Title: Introduction
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 20 x 16 inches
Status: For Sale Soon


And here are a few details from the painting;

I simply started painting on a fresh canvas and this was the result. Don't ask me to explain what it is please, the only thing I could tell you is that the vaguely humanoid/mermaid-like creature doesn't appear to be frightened by the ominous looking leviathan. The title refers to the fact that I finished the painting on the morning of Friday the 13th. Clearly fish are a prominent thematic element in a lot of my works; I have been infatuated with creatures of the deep since my earliest days. My oldest preserved drawings (created when I was only 3 years old) are of giant squid, sharks, stingrays and so forth.

Title: Abyss 13
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 16 x 20 inches
Status: For Sale Soon

I already quoted this poem several entries back for a different painting I made (Memories Of Carcosa), but it continues to inspire me to do more art, so here are a few lines from it once again;

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.
Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

The King, cloaked in a tattered yellow mantle and bearing a pallid mask, is an avatar of madness and destruction.

Title: The King In Yellow
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 16 x 20 inches
Status: For Sale


Detail from painting;

I've said before that I think of my tree paintings as portraits more than landscapes. I believe these two demonstrate that concept fairly well; clearly each is unique in personality. The first painting is for sale now, the second one will be listed tomorrow evening (June 22).

Title: Zen Shimpaku
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 3 1/2 x 2 1/2"
Status: For Sale (click image for link to auction)



Title: Majestic Kapok
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale Soon(click image for link to store)

Well I said that I would post the progression of the Poe painting, so here it is.
The first step was to create a very simple under-painting. Most of this will not be visible on the final piece, but it's still very important because what will show through will have a major impact on the final piece. I basically used a two-tone scheme, but I added some orange areas and some dark areas to the red portion so that it would add complexity and definition to the final piece;


Once that was finished I let it harden up a bit and then I applied the top coat with soft Sennelier oil pastels. Again I stuck to a basic two-tone color palate. The basic look I wanted was black and red with alabaster white. Using subtle accents of pale blue, orange, and grey will add depth and richness to the bold color scheme without destroying the effect. Here is the top coat; you can see that it almost completely covers the under painting.


Once that was finished, I only had to add the filigree and the text. To do this I used a stylus (a blunt metal tool) to scrape away the top coat. The colors underneath then show through and reveal the gradations of color. This technique is called "sgraffito", or sometimes just graffito or even graffiti. The next and last thing I did was add some depth with various shades of grey oil pastel. To see the final piece just look at my previous post.

Here is a different detail picture of the final painting, showing some of the knotwork and filigree.


Also, I now have this painting available as a poster and on shirts and more in my Cafepress store;
http://www.cafepress.com/klturner/3166840

I spent entirely too much time on this painting. I can honestly say that I truly suffered for this piece- I kept working on it despite a rather serious headache and an infection in my jaw because I really wanted to just see it through. I got couple of scans of this piece in progress as well- I'll post them tomorrow along with a write-up, but tonight I just want to get this image posted and relax.

Title: Nevermore
Medium: Oil Pastel On Bristol
Size: 8 x 10"
Status: For Sale Soon


Enlarged detail from painting;

Cats behave with a certain aloofness, a smugness which makes one wonder what it is they think they know that we do not. Perhaps they are able to see into our future, which may explain why they never seem particularly impressed by us.

Title: Cataclysm
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (click image for link to auction)

Title: Worlds Apart
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (click image for link to auction)


Text from the auction;
A rocky crag is overlooked by steep cliffs, separating two weathered trees. Two of a kind, the hardened mountain pines seem to be reaching across the gulf towards each other, hoping for companionship or mutual strength in a rugged and merciless environment.

I do not like to think of my tree paintings as landscapes, but rather I prefer to consider them expressive portraits. The subject is the tree, and my goal is to portray its spirit; its strengths, weaknesses, the trials it has faced and the character it has developed. Most of my trees are not drawn directly from real subjects but are the product of my experiences amongst trees with similar features. My experience studying the art of training bonsai trees also projects a visible influence on the design and composition of my tree portraits. But behind the subject there is also a statement; a metaphor, or an expression of some sort.

Extreme close-up of painting;


I'm frequently asked how I am able to get so much detail in these small paintings, whether I use a magnifying glass, and so forth. Truthfully, it's rather easy for me because I have been drawing finely detailed pictures all my life. I don't use any magnifying glasses or any other mechanical magnification, though I do have 20/20 vision and I like to have plenty of light to work with.

I had a request some time ago to do a portrait of H.P. Lovecraft. Although I had the idea on the back-burner for a long time, I just couldn't resist giving it a shot. I plan to put this up for auction tomorrow evening.

Title: Lovecraft
Medium: oil pastel and colored pencil on mat board
Size: 8" x 8"
Status: For Sale Soon

Well I finally got around to making a graphic out of my Cthulhu painting and I have added several items of merchandise to my Cafepress store featuring this graphic. Click the image to see the new merchandise!


Of course the watermark does not appear on the actual image.

In addition, I took an old face and gave it new look by adding graphic elements to my old Pickman's Model painting. I changed my old Pickman's Model merchandise to feature this updated version. To see the updated merchandise just click the image below;



To visit my Cafepress store and see all the designs available, click this link;
Art of K.L. Turner

And finally, here is a new musing I made in oil pastel on bristol paper. I was aiming for a more stylized look. I think I like the technique I used for this piece more than the piece itself.

Title: Face of Cthulhu
Medium: oil pastel on bristol
Size: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (click image for link to auction)

Not feeling well today, but I managed to get this piece done despite that. I need to get a better photo when I have decent lighting for it.

Title: Tree of Self-Fulfilling Fears
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Size: 11" x 14"
Status: For Sale Soon






Here is a bit of detail;

The auction for this one ends in two days. It's similar to another blossoming tree I made in April, but in a larger format and, in my opinion, a little nicer end result.

Title: Radiance In the Sun
Medium: Acrylics and oil pastel on canvas
Size: 14" x 11"
Status: For Sale (click image for link to auction)


Also, here are two new abstracts I completed this week.

Title: Gilded Web
Medium: Acrylics and mylar on canvas
Size: 16" x 20"
Status: For Sale Soon


Detail;



Title: Journey's End (Extended Invitation)
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Size: 16" x 20"
Status: For Sale Soon

Title: Memories of Carcosa
Medium: acrylics, mylar and iridescent pigments on canvas
Size: 11" x 14"
Status: For Sale Soon





"Cassilda's Song"

Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink beneath the lake,
The shadows lengthen

In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is

Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in

Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead;
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in

Lost Carcosa.

~Robert W. Chambers, "The King In Yellow", 1895

Here are my latest two paintings. The first one is the Jabberwock (from the poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll), and the second is a "bonsai" style shimpaku juniper tree.

Title: Jabberwock
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Rocky Perch
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)


'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

~Lewis Carroll

I've painted the Cheshire cat, White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and even the lizard, Bill. I guess it's about time I got around to painting Alice!


Title: Alice
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)

I was so busy that I forgot to post the final two pieces of the Zodiac series here! Sagittarius has already been sold;



...and the auction for Virgo ends this evening;



And I have already designed a large poster with a compilation of these images that is for sale in my CafePress store, as well as a calendar that displays the signs roughly approximating the months with which they correlate. You can take a look at them by clicking the image;



Any feedback on these products would be great! I plan to release other products with these images as well, as I have time to get them set up.

I've got a couple more Zodiac ACEO paintings up for sale, Aries and Leo. Only two more to complete the series!


Title: Aries
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Leo
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)


Also, I got a bit of practice doing my latest art form, Mehndi;

I have never used Henna as a medium before but there is a very natural flow to it that I find enjoyable. I'm sure I'll get better in time, but here are a few of my earliest attempts. I've been not only practicing the techniques involved with using the medium, but also improving the recipe to get darker stains that last better. I've got a pretty good batch mixed up right now that stains to a dark cherry color, and promises to last for a couple of weeks at least. To see more pictures, look behind the cut;( Pictures Here )

Here are the latest two from my Zodiac series, this makes 8 finished- only 4 more to go! Pisces is up on eBay, Taurus I will list tomorrow.

Title: Pisces
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)




Title: Taurus
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale Soon (Click image to go to eBay store)



And because I needed a break from constellations I decided to paint a blossoming cherry tree (the crabapples around here are inspiring!)

Title: Awakening
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)

Two more completed today, I am listing Scorpio for sale today and Libra tomorrow. Next to be finished will be Pisces.


Title: Scorpio
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Libra
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale Soon (Click image to go to eBay store)

I am creating a series of art cards based on the Greek Zodiac. I have chosen to create them in no particular order. The first four are finished, the others are in process and should be completed within the week, I'm posting them on eBay as I finish them. Here are the first four;

Title: Cancer
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Gemini
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Capricorn
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)



Title: Aquarius
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)

Well I decided that Red needed some company after all, so I went ahead and painted the Wolf.


Title: The Wolf
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)

I had a great response to Red Riding Hood, and I enjoyed painting it as well so I decided to do a similarly styled piece with a different subject. Here is a mermaid with a different twist; the Sirenes were said to lure sailors to their deaths.

Title: Sirene of the Abyss
Medium: Oil pastel and colored pencil on Bristol vellum
Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Status: For Sale (Click image to go to auction)