a far green country

Gandalf: End? The journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it.
Pippin: What? Gandalf? See what?
Gandalf: White shores ... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf: No, no it isn't.
- The Lord of the Rings, 2001

This is just a short announcement that Itty Bitty Walsch, Tracy's sweet little kitty, has said "so long" and journeyed on to those elysian fields. It's unusual to post an announcement on here that is not about my artwork, but Itty was great company and, at age 22, had earned the right to aid - or interrupt - anyone's attempt to read a book or work on a drawing. She is missed. Say "hi" to Cortez, Itty.

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Two Brooklyn Water Towers, Part 2: facts and relativities

"There is a right way and a wrong way to study, and it all centres (sic) around the fact that what you aim to learn is perception and expression. What you are to express you do not learn; you grow to that .... Your perception and appreciation must be trained, and your mind stored with facts and relativities. Then you are ready to recognize and to convey the true inwardness you find in conditions commonplace to others." - David Parkhurst, The Painter In Oil, ch. XIV, 1898

Continuing with the 11 x 13" panel painting of the water towers begun in May (based on preliminary sketches done in March), I have completed a second under-painting in burnt sienna. This further develops the sense of form and provides an opportunity to correct minor mistakes from the first layer. Each under-painting helps modify the sense of space and form. Instead of a third one, I will start with local color. To make sure I have all my facts straight, I will go back to look at the water towers again and do a few more sketches and watercolor studies to refer to when painting in oil.

These towers are on top of the Watchtower building and visible from the Brooklyn-side approach to the Brooklyn Bridge. The vantage point provides views of water towers and architectural elements that will give me more material for other paintings. My sketchbooks are already full of them and it's just a fraction of what is there. These views provide a lot of material for complex compositions and are fun to work on.