Successful show!

My solo show at the Yellow Barn Studio went really well! I had over 200 visitors, and many friends and family showed up, including people I hadn’t seen in decades. That was the best part — reconnecting with old friends!

On top of that, I sold 16 paintings. I would have sold 17 had I not somehow misplaced one while setting up the show. I had a friend who wanted to buy it, but I sitll can’t find it. I hope it will turn up!

It was cool to watch people engage with my work. I'd watch people look at my two pictures of Cabin John Woods (warm light in fall, cooler light in winter) and I'd see them move back and forth, comparing the two, just as I wanted. Some people would be fascinated by my cherry tree or dumpster; others by a portrait or still life. A few breezed through and left, unimpressed, lol. The experience fired me up to do more.

Prepping, framing, and hanging the show was great experience -- but far more work than I expected. I hung 63 pictures. I wish I'd spent more time thinking about how and where to hang things, but as it was I was up til 2 a.m. doing it. The last dozen or so, were done without much thought, as it was late and I was tired, and the presentation suffered accordingly. (I also used too many black frames.) 

Here’s an extreme wide-angle panorama shot of the show just as I opened the doors. (I’ve photoshopped out one person to preserve their privacy.) It was rarely this empty: I had a steady stream of guests, and I was on my feet for six hours each day. Fun!

Panorama of Show.jpg

Smoking

I had fun with this portrait in life class last week. It was the second session of a two-session pose; I posted my progress after the first session a couple weeks ago.

Geoff Watson, “Smoking,” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

Geoff Watson, “Smoking,” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

My upcoming show!

On November 24 and 25, I will be exhibiting paintings for sale at the Yellow Barn Studio Gallery in Glen Echo Park, Maryland. Admission is free. The gallery will be open 12 pm to 6 pm both days, and you’re all invited to my reception on Saturday from 3-5 pm. Free parking is available at the nearby Oxford Street lot. It’s the weekend right after Thanksgiving, so I know some people will be out of town, but I hope you can make it!

Here’s the front and back of the postcard I’m sending out this week. The depicted painting, “Cherry Blossoms just after peak,” will be one of the works on exhibit.

Watson - Postcard Side 1.jpg
Watson Postcard Side 2.jpg

Walking on Hampden Lane

I continued my tour of the Edgemoor neighborhood in Bethesda. One great thing about painting there is that I have so many friends in the neighborhood. I run into someone I know every time I paint there. Art can be a solitary endeavor, so I always appreciate the company!

Anyway, this painting holds promise, but I ran out of daylight before I could refine it. I was experimenting with softer edges to make the orange tree look more 3D, but in the process I’m afraid I made it too symmetrical. I’ll chop some leaves off it (figuratively speaking) if and when I revisit the site!

Geoff Watson, “Walking on Hampden Lane (in progress),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

Geoff Watson, “Walking on Hampden Lane (in progress),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

Fairfax Road

I was driving by this tree a couple days and came to a screeching halt. I just had to paint it! It’s been pruned in somewhat odd ways, creating some unpredictable lighting patterns. It may not be the best choice of subject, but I don’t care — it was fun to paint. I’m not sure I’m done with this one yet.

Geoff Watson, “Fairfax Road (in progress),” oil on panel, 9” x 12,” 2018.

Geoff Watson, “Fairfax Road (in progress),” oil on panel, 9” x 12,” 2018.

Harry and the Hat

This was the first of a two-week sitting with Harry, who often wears a funky little top hat. Hats are hard to get right, and my first effort here is too small. I’ll fix it next week. I’ve also got placeholders around the eyes and jawline, so there’s plenty of work to be done, but I feel this is a good start.

Geoff Watson, “Harry and the Hat (in progress),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

Geoff Watson, “Harry and the Hat (in progress),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.

Exfair Road

I went back to the same neighborhood I painted yesterday, this time one street over. I loved this yellow-orange tree! Unfortunately, I didn’t finish before darkness fell. I need to define the road better, refine the trees on the left, and probably tone down the dark spots at the end of the road. And I might add a figure or two, or a car. I may do those things in the studio, as rain is in the forecast.

Geoff Watson, “Exfair Road,” oil on panel, 16” x 20,” 2018.

Geoff Watson, “Exfair Road,” oil on panel, 16” x 20,” 2018.