A small works gallery and ponderings about brush and paint, by oil painter, Michelle Sonoqui Gillette
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The paintings that are hung on these virtual walls, range from completed work, to works-in-progress. The process is a bit like fly fishing, as I work to push the paint and composition toward an abstract direction - only to reel it back in again, to find the sweet spot for detail and clarity.
Tight Squeeze
Oil on Linen Panel
12" x 16"
Of all the glam yachts in the harbor, these Shields have long been our favorite sailing vessel. Among keelboat racing enthusiasts, it is said to be one of the most successful designs in the world. It is a bit tricky to maneuver these guys out of this dock, until you establish a few reference points. And even then, sometimes you just run out of air. On one occassion, I was nearly t-boned by my nemesis - The Delta Queen. Now I go "snake eyed", whenever I see that evil paddle-wheeler.
The painting "Tight Squeeze", was painted from the Shields dock, looking across the harbor toward the homes on Lido Island. The homes are wedged in, tighter than the Shields - if you can believe that. There is a certain time of the early evening, about 5:00 p.m., when the sun is low in the sky, and fires across the water and sky with extraordinary color. By 6:30-7pm, the Shields are in deep shadows, and barely discernable from the ink blue canvas tent covers. Waving to sailing buddy, Tiffany, where ever you might be. I laugh to myself, every time I recall that race where we "assisted" the bouy marker into our boat, to confuse Craig and the boys. It was most amusing to watch them circle around, looking for that dang bouy...while we made our way back to the finish line.