B-25: Complete

24 x 72 oil on canvas

The B-25 is complete. I can't believe I was able to finish it in time for the Realism Show at Mason Murer. Opening night reception is April 8th, and this should give me enough time for the painting to dry and maybe get a coat of varnish on it as well.

detail: nose section

This is by far the largest and most complex painting I've ever done, and I have to say, I've developed a taste for large and complex. I really hope there's a market out there for something like this because I'd love an opportunity to paint this subject much more often.

detail: left engine nacelle and prop

Even though my career as an aircraft mechanic only lasted a few years, I could easily imagine myself in the presence of this plane as I was painting it. All the sights, sounds and smells of working on the flight line came back . . . and it was great. I still kind of miss it.

Now it's time to reduce the scale and get back to work for the July show at Tree's Place on Cape Cod. I'll be shipping them the first five paintings within the week, and should have an image of their sixth painting ready to post in the next few days.

Karen's First Book: WindowScapes

Karen and I have been working together to assemble a collection of her WindowScapes paintings into a book. We used blurb, an online book creation/publication website that I used for my first book, Paintings in Oil. Her "proof" copy arrived a few days ago, and it's top notch. I don't know how blurb does it so much better than other book creation sites, but the images are a spot on match to the originals. It's a 12 x 12 inch hardback book with a dust jacket and contains 39 of Karen's favorite windowscapes paintings. If you'd like to preview the entire book and make a purchase click here.

B-25 in Progress: Days Six, Seven and Eight

24 x 72 oil on canvas

Finished up the underpainting of the fuselage last night, which completes the first pass. Eight days in so far. I'm really working hard on this one trying to stay ahead of the deadline. Not sure at this point if I'll make or not, but doing what I can. One possible scenario, it may have to go to the gallery wet and unvarnished. Worse case scenario, it's not done. Back to work on the sky today, and if I'm lucky I'll be able to spend some time on the right wing as well. This may be the last of the in progress shots. I don't think the changes will be pronounced enough to justify further posts. I'll probably hold off and post a high quality jpeg of the final painting when it's complete.