Sketches and Studies

I enjoy doing sketches and studies as they allow the freedom to experiment with different colors, styles or media in a shorter time frame. While on a recent visit to Arizona, I took some time to "play" with my new oil pastels. The result is a study of flowers sitting on a patio table. There are two very distinct versions. One, of course, if more traditional and approaches realism.  The other is more abstract with no intention toward realism and features invented colors and sharp angles. Yet, they are same flowers!!  Do you have a preference for one over the other?  Feel free to leave a comment.

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Rooster Pitcher

Rooster Pitcher, 16"x20", acrylic on canvas board, © B Sistak Baur

This is a study done in black and white to demonstrate the creation of form through value.  The actual pitcher was pure white, making it the perfect item for the exercise.

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Wine and Cheese

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Wine and Cheese, 20"x16", acrylic color study, © B Sistak Baur

This painting is part of my study on using color to create shape and form -- warm colors are lighter areas, cool colors are darker areas. This subject is very traditional although the execution is not. I was inspired by the still life I set up for a painting class I was leading and liked it so much, I recreated it later for my own work. You can click on the photos to see larger images.

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Cupcake Case

Cupcake Case, 16"x20", acrylic color study

This painting is part of my exploration of abstract styles, techniques and the contrast of color saturations. I was inspired to do this painting by the colors and style of southwest artist Ted deGracia after visiting his studio, Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, AZ. 

I selected the rows of cupcakes because they recalled the rows of people crowded into a grandstand in a deGracia painting.

To achieve the extra loose and abstract but still representational look, I taped my brush to a long stick and used this to paint.

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