Evolution of a Painting

First Wash Canvas 

Second Wash & Charcoal Rough

3rd Wash Painted Loose Sketch

Round 4: Decided I like the reds & oranges better

Oversized Sketch - hating the blue

Covered with the Daily News- much better

Warmed up the background & sketched with white

TRIUMPH

Philadelphia City Hall if it were dressed as a Mummer!

I dig making reds recede & pushing cool colors forward.  When it works it brings me great joy.

Developing A Musician in Plein Air

 

Just so you know... this guy is still in progress.  His proportions are finally correct.

Interpreting the Mummers

“Philadelphia, a great sensation, the beating heart of a perfect nation...” is a lyric I sang from a song composed by our music teacher Mr. Fleishman in fifth grade.  Music is in my blood and is a big part of how I see my home town.  When I thought about how best to introduce Philadelphia to the rest of the world the Mummers Day Parade immediately came to mind.  Who better to usher in all the sites and sounds that make Philly the city of brotherly love?  I got permission from Tom Loomis, of the Woodland String Band, to sit in on a practice and create a few images.  (My very talented cousin Kevin is a member of the band) Long story short, the artwork was greeted with tremendous response.

Mummer’s String Bands are struggling to continue a grand musical tradition.  I am stepping up to rally,  and captivate a new audience to keep the Mummers' strutting.  For now I have put a pin in the Philadelphia Series.   Look forward to images portraying the pageantry of the Philadelphia Mummers' String Bands' Association 2011 Show of Shows.

Quaker String Band Smiles, working title

Behind the Scenes, 22 x 12, Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on the Philly Daily News

More Mummers...Go Woodland!

Untitled as of 2/17/11, 22 x 12, Acrylic, Pastel, Charcoal, on Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia A Great Sensation!

Oh yeah.  I'm packing my bags.  I'm loading my truck.  I'm not going to drink any water so I don't have to make a pit stop.  Me and my best daughter are heading to the city of brotherly love.

I am officially kicking off my Philadelphia series.  I've prepped the Inquirer with gesso and primary spatter. My Wonder Woman notebook is tucked in my bag along with my trusty camera.  Center city is my destination for Saturday.  I'll be in South Philly on Sunday... 11:00a.m. I'll be setting up my easel and fixing my gaze on the Woodland Mummers FIRST FULL DRESS REHEARSAL... Heck yeah!!!

Those of you NOT from Philadelphia can't fully appreciate my joy and delight.  The Mummers Parade is a BIG Deal.  The competition is fierce and the costumes, music & choreography is classified.  I am getting a sneak peek!  Ode to Joy!!!  So as to not disturb the magnificent musicians, like my cousin Kevin Haag, who is part of the Woodlands production, I will be I will be quietly and diligently sketching in my Real Life Drawing disguise.  I've decided to share a photo of me in costume with you, my "followers." This way you all can recognize me if you see me sketching in the city and say hello.

MG Stout -Undercover

When I put on this mask NOBODY ever recognizes me!  Clark Kent has his glasses and I have my plastic ass.