The First [of many yet to come] in 2010

Well, the time has come to start out the new year with progress! Tonight marks the official "completed" status on a piece that has been taking up a lot of my time since before Christmas. Experimenting with a new medium (drying linseed oil) that I had never used before set me back a couple days longer than expected in between painting sessions, but the final results are wonderful and well worth the wait! This piece is a 24" x 36" oil painting on store bought stretched canvas (I know, I know... time and cost effective for the project at hand, otherwise I prefer to build my own). Within about a weeks time to ensure the final layer of oil is dry, kamar varnish will be applied to "seal the deal" on the completed status and really make the painting shine! Literally! The frame needs a little TLC to really give this painting the perfect final touch: we got it on super discounted clearance price because of some minor cosmetic damage to some of the edges that can be easily filled with wood putty and painted. This "flaw" is so minor you can't even see it in the picture below. The hardest part is over with, time to get the final things in order and get this baby out the door. I will miss this painting, but I'm learning not to get as attached to my "babies" as I have in the past since it is obviously inevitable to part ways with them. The fact of the matter is that I am an artist and I need to make money for the works that I create. Don't know how I plan to create pieces and keep them all while also making this my only job. Ha!





All in all, this was a great experience. I can't wait to deliver the piece later this month and see the reaction on everyone's face! Next up, more oil paintings coming your way sooner than you think! BIG THINGS happening, and it is pure GOLD! Stay tuned everyone!

-Josh Grabowski