Discussions with Mark Norseth

It’s been good to stretch myself out on this large  (unframed size 28 x 36″) Tidepool piece, the first of what may become a series. Painting the unpaintable is what it felt like,.

I relied only on a fairly rough oil sketch and some pencil ideas for the design, which is what most of the painting ended up being about.  From there it’s been a matter of  adjusting things until they looked close to the way I wanted.

I’ve often found it to be a remarkably thoughtful experience to just sit in a place such as this, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in Hawai’i, and take in the indescribable concentration of energy and life that is here.  The colors are wonderful; every sense, really, is able to partake of such an experience, the sound and smells also, even the moisture against one’s skin, and I suppose that it hints at bigger things, questions of creation and how small a thing each one of us, in a sense, is.  All of this beauty and mystery occurs independent of us, whether we notice or not…imagine how much does escape our notice.

So now to practical matters.  I have a couple days to finish work on the frame before it gets hung.  Gallery at Ward Centre, after Friday the 29th, it will be on display. Come see.

Along with everything else I’m working on, I’ve been on a watercolor jag for the last month.  It’s been great fun and hard work, and I’m planning on more.

Do these work for you?

So much of painting is just about purposefully being in the work-mindset.  Rather than waiting to be inspired,  often times I just have an idea about  design, or an effect of light, and begin with something in my sketchbook;  inspiration or enthusiasm arrives after I begin to work, not generally before.  I know it’s the same for writers and musicians…you begin by taking the first step of working.

Each of these paintings are quarter-sheet, which is watercolorist talk for 11 x 15″, and painted on Saunders #200.  Titles are coming.

Can’t help but be excited about my upcoming exhibition, and I’m earnestly ( does anyone still use that word?) prepping everything…painting s to be signed, one or two are in mid stride, and I started small ones today.  So, I’m crazed, but it’s fine.  Here’s some things I put out today, frames are in process.  They may look familiar if you’ve ben following the blog.

The Sunlit Shore, Kailua 30 x 40″

            Lightfall   20 x 36″

            Konahuanui-Morning Shadows 12 x 16″

Ironwoods at Dusk 18 x 24″

There’s more, and you will see them later.  Thanks for the look.

Just a quick update, I got another couple hours developing the current painting.  It’s coming along well, and I’m refining some areas while getting more adjustments in the values and shapes.  Great fun to work this large, and the old easel holds up like a champ, in spite of some wind gusts that would send this canvas sailing otherwise.

A skewed but representative image at the end of this morning’s flogging.

            A slightly better studio shot…

My friend Geoff Stone was able to come by and work on his painting as well.

                                                               Geoff at work.

Very excited to begin this 30 x 40″ field painting this morning.  Conditions were quite good, and I was able to get the design in place and lay-in the first skin of paint in about 3!/2 hours without rushing.

              Untitled, 30 x 40″, oil on linen

I have a really good feeling for this one. The shapes are interesting, colors have a good warm and cool mix, the working spot is ideal.  Wind was completely a non-issue, which is a potential hazard with a canvas this large. I’m hoping for good even weather so that I can build the painting up, I want to develop this slowly and richly.

Sorry about the not-so- great photo, I was jamming!