THE SPORT OF FALCONRY | DREA

Ever since my sister Caroline and I began the sport of falconry and trapped our birds September 5, 2013, I've wanted to somehow paint them. However, their initial care and training took so much time that no painting or drawing was possible, and the following hunting season also took a toll on my free time. However in September of 2014 I buckled down and painted one.

2015 | Drea hunting

2015 | Criere sitting on a catch

As a thank you to my dad for his support with falconry, I painted a picture of Drea, Caroline's Female, Red-Tailed hawk. It now hangs in his office, a constant reminder that though he may be working, the field is always waiting.

Female Red-Tailed Hawk | Drea
S. Thomson
2014
Oil on Canvas

Incidentally, Caroline and I were recently featured in the Indy Star. Check it out here.

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"Come forth into the light of things; let nature be your teacher."

-William Wordsworth

NAN | STEPH PAINTS ANIMALS

Last Thursday I told y'all to come back to check out the colorful project I had going on, and today here it is.

This project was a special request from my aunt, a portrait of their Haflinger, Nan, who they've owned for a year. She sent me this photo of Nan (and Emma)...

 ...and this photo of a painting in a magazine...

"https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjCVhR-MC9pbhBSNJNeX7V8OvgaKwic_uk7ygdfTi4t51jHdY5BTpELkhKpYeTaWG6zv57HlHmz9fSiHT_sPV5cHFXfkYlQR7M_BR1MRTCO5nsxOVMhhFHUgZXjPxIflj0acRMqLRe4c8/s1600/cowcow.jpg" height="640" width="480" />

...and a couple late nights later: here it is!

Nan

S. Thomson

2015

Oil on Canvas

So Stephanie does animals now, I guess. Together with a sheep and a horse seems like they're not as bad as I've always thought. After reducing Nan to lines and shapes, finishing the painting was really like a paint by number. 

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"A good artist has less time than ideas."
-Martin Kippenberger

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There's always a project going on around here, so keep on checking in. I've got a few projects just for fun to share and a few bigger and more intense ones coming up! This sketch is among one of those more intense projects. Have a great week everyone, see you on Thursday.

RESTORATION | FAMILY HEIRLOOM

Something about painting that I find so unique is how it allows for a person to preserve a moment, a face, a scene, or even a memory for many more years than it would otherwise last. For example this sign:

This would be an example of a memory being preserved through a painting. This sign was the marker of the Armbruster & Sons Shropshire Sheep farm for many years, as one can see from the age and wear. 

Following the passing of his late father, Mr. Mitch Armbruster requested a replica of this memorable sign, his purpose being to preserve the memories and history.

In a project like this one, measuring and planning the slant of the letters and placement of the text is over 50% of the job. First off I created this pencil drawing, getting down the letter placement, size, and slant. The alien sheep in the center was a first attempt and a quick one, merely trying to get the feel for the end product.

What is not pictured is the cutting out of each individual letter, making a sort of stencil. Using those letters and some more measuring, I was able to essentially transfer my pencil drawing to canvas.

The end product: this bad boy. After deciphering the original colors and text, at last the final painting is complete. Perhaps the most motivating factor behind this painting is the family history the sign represents. By restoring what has since corroded to its previous state, the history can now be presented in a way that is true to the original.

Also, it pushed my boundaries as far as animals are concerned. Can you guess what I painted last? That would be the sheep. But now I feel much bolder when it comes to painting the animal kingdom, and am thankful I was given the chance to test my limits.

Thank you to the Armbruster family for the opportunity to recreate this family heirloom.

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Check back next week to find out why these colors are on my palette...

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"Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth."

- H. W. Shaw

ISTANBUL & MYKONOS | PAINTINGS FROM ABROAD

Two of the most recent additions to our walls are representations of both the Hagia Sophia (an architectural phenomenon located in Istanbul) and a scene from the streets of the Greek Island, Mykonos.

Thank you to my family for their religious (pardon the pun) commitment to picture taking on their long trip last year, on which they saw these beautiful sights in person.

The Hagia Sophia
S. Thomson
2015
Oil on Canvas

Colors that rarely are used in painting are true blue and red. When I saw hints of both in the original photo, I exaggerated their brightness, leading ultimately to a very vibrant finish.

The Streets of Mykonos
S. Thomson
2014
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

Though the poor quality photo distorts the true colors of this painting, the streets' striking blue hues were the principal focal point of the photo and the overall composition, and still are.

What usually happens is as soon as I complete a painting is that I give it away. I'm determined to end this trend by merely painting more: allowing me to give away and keep at a more equalized pace. However, my high hopes for keeping paintings perhaps may not be realized in the next few weeks. Check back Thursday (January 22) for the reveal of my latest commission, as well as a sneak peak of some upcoming projects.

Anyone taking a trip this year? Want a custom painting of your favorite location? Contact information here.

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"A picture is an unusual combination of lines and colors that set one another off."
-Edgar Degas

VINCENT'S "SHOES" | FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING

Vincent Van Gogh's "Shoes"
S. Thomson
2015
Oil on Canvas

2011 was the year that I painted every Van Gogh postcard or poster that I owned, while continually accumulating more. Having just been introduced to oils and painting with this medium, copying the paintings of masters like van Gogh and Monet allowed me to become better acquainted with the ins and outs of oils, as well as develop a tentative style.

2011 also happened to be a rough time of life and also my freshman year as a high-schooler. Both these factors combined led to a decreased interest in painting and a quickly diminishing amount of 'free time.' All this to say, for four years I've had this canvas sitting around with two perfectly completed shoes resting in the middle of a background of emptiness.

After some current, careful, and prayerful consideration, I've been making some big decisions regarding my future and how my art will play into it. These thoughts have fueled a new desire to seriously excel, where previously I merely desired to enjoy myself. In an effort to push myself and start a more purposeful education in art, I've been completing past paintings, beginning new ones, and envisioning many more.

I've started this blog as a sort of online portfolio, as a deposit for all my projects, painting or drawing. Please check out the above pages for both of the latter and check back soon for some exciting projects that are currently in the works!

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"The only talent is perseverance."

-Jesse Raphael