Woody's Watercolor Blog

Unequal measures of Transcription, Translation, & Transgression

In Memory … Henry Fukuhara

Jan 31

Posted by Woody in Forum, Workshops | 4 Comments

Image of Henry Fukuhara

4/25/13 – 1/31/10
American artist, teacher, and irreplaceable friend.

To know Henry is to love him … and be influenced by him. Henry was an irreplaceable friend, a role model to many people. He was an artistic original, a special, caring, sharing, nurturing, forgiving human being; an artist’s artist, a teacher’s teacher, a mentor’s mentor, and an American’s American. Artists of the world will miss Henry, but will not forget him, … nor will they forget his unique watercolor paintings.

—————————-

NOTE: The following information has been provided by Henry’s close friend, Al Setton:

A memorial service was held Sunday, Feb 7, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church, in Santa Monica, CA.

Prior to Henry’s passing, he requested that any donations be made to either of the following sites. Both were important to him and are art related.

Japanese American National Art Museum 
369 E 1st St., LA. CA 90012
213 625-0414
http://janmstore.com/donations.html

The Japanese American National Art Museum  accepts online donations and has provisions for notifying the family of donations made in Henry’s memory. The Development Office can be reached at development@janm.org or 213 830 5646.

Henry donated all his work to the East LA College Art Department, Vincent Price Gallery. They have many of his paintings, his teaching notes and his wonderful sketchbooks. As they are a State institution funding to catalog and show the works is non-existent. Donation can be made to the Fukuhara Endowment at East LA College Foundation, 1301 Avida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754-6099.  For questions 323 265 8610, http://www.elacfoundation.org/elacfoundation/index.asp

Tree Turnabout

Jan 26

Posted by Woody in Forum | No Comments

March 2010 Indoor Watercolor Classes Now Forming. Follow this link for information.
Tree Turnabout, Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
Tree Turnabout – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

I did a sketch, value plan last October during an outing along the American River parkway (goody, goody for me). I noticed an interesting pattern at of light and dark at the base of some small trees. The value plan seen below is the result. I was more interested in the abstract pattern than accurately depicting what I saw before me. If memory serves, beyond an attempt or two, I never developed a finished painting from the sketch (boo, hiss, throw the bum out at home plate).

Tree Turnabout, Original sketch by Woody Hansen

Recently, while doing what has been termed “spinning one’s wheels” I sifted through my collection of value plans and this piece again caught my attention. I turned it upside down (see below) and decided to have a go at it in the inverted position. This resulted in the painting seen at the head of this post. As the saying goes, “Turnabout is fair play.”Hmm, is there REALLY anything like “fair play?” Why, yes, of course there is,! I’m surprised at you, Woody! Why would you even have to ask?

Tree Turnabout, Original inverted sketch by Woody Hansen

After all the preceding hocus pokus, the intellectually astute salesman in me points out that the detail image (above) is probably better than either the painting, or the original sketch (right side up or inverted). Ah, yes, the destination is not important, it is the journey … that makes one run out of gas. Words to live buy … er … by. The line forms to the right.

For more information, including finished painting, price, and availability, click here

Colors: Ridiculously Reddish Red (PR13), Regular Gasoline Yellow Pale (PY58), Political Self-interest Puce (PV28/), Earthy Earth Brown (PBr75), Independent Indigo (PV33), Supreme Court Black (PB99), Yakety Yack Ochre (635), Blood Pressure White (Pw120/80), and Blind Man Blue (PBl00).

Fall Fantasy

Dec 30

Posted by Woody in Forum, Woody's Watercolors, Workshops | No Comments

March 2010 Indoor Watercolor Classes Now Forming. Follow this link for information.
Fall Fantasy, Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
FAll Fantasy – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

This is one of three demonstration paintings, all of which are based on a simple, Post card size value plan done,some months ago, on location along the American River Parkway, Sacramento, CA.. Recently each of the three paintings was finished in the studio.

From time to time I receive emails or comments expressing interest in seeing the value plans that accompany the various paintings posted on this blog. For those who are interested,what follows is an image of my value plan.

Fall Fantasy, Sketch/Value Plan by Woody Hansen

Colors: Operatic Red,Summer Squash Yellow,Unionist Blue, MS Grey, Chocolate Sunday Brown, and Licorice Black.

For more information, including finished painting, price, and availability, click here.

Shasta Sunday

Nov 27

Posted by Woody in Forum | No Comments

Shasta Sunday, Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
Shasta Sunday – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

This post is a reminder of the old baseball saying, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” I’d give the author credit, but there seems to be some disagreement as to whether the saying originated with Casey Stengel, or Yoggi Berra.

More to the point, some of you might recall I did a previous version of this subject last July for a weekend watercolor workshop in Mt. Shasta, CA. I titled that painting, Morning Moment,

The image detail ofShasta Sunday (seen above), is one of three demonstrations painted for a recent watercolor class. Each of the three pieces was based on the original sketch/value plan crated last July.

Correct grammar aside, I suppose one might suggest this is deja vu all over again. The question now is, will Shasta Sunday be thought of as a hit, a home run, or a strikeout? One sure bet, is this piece definitely went into extra innings.

Colors: Shasta Daisy Yellow, Mother Earth Brown, Black Bear Black, Red Bank Scarlet, Great Glacier Gray, Pine Tree Green, Periwinkle Purple, Snow White White, Bubbling Brook Blue.

For more information, including finished painting, price, and availability, click here.

Sailor Take Warning

Nov 16

Posted by Woody in Forum, Miscellaneous, Woody's Watercolors | 2 Comments

Sailor Take Warning Value Plan - Woody Hansen Watercolor
Sailor Take Warning – Value Plan
(Click image to view painting)

Something a little different this time around. As an indoor classroom exercise I create a value plan with three values of construction paper, white, gray, and black. The shapes are cut out with scissors and taped one on top of the other to develop what I think might be an interesting pattern for a painting. The idea is to maximize simplicity of shape and value. I guess one might say it’s the old, “Keep It Simple Stupid” approach. And, good news, extra tape cam be used to tape over the mouth of any supercilious art critic among us.

The value plan (after the fact) is based on a completed work that began outdoors during a recent Free Friday mini-workshop along the American River. Originally,I had intended to take a failed painting and rework it. However, I accidentally notice an interesting scribble made on the reverse side of the painting. Apparently, I had used the back of the painting to test a black ink pen. In doing so, I had unwittingly created some wonderful, loosely drawn marks.

Intrigued by these decorative, flowing calligraphic marks, I decided to try to incorporate them into a watercolor painting. Standing in place, I randomly selected items around me and put together a design within my rectangle. One thing led to another and eventually to a painting. As noted before on this blog, some times the creation process works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I like to think in this case it worked reasonably well

Question of the day: Does anyone really take time to READ this malarkey?

Colors: Sunrise Red, Yakety-Yak Yellow, Spring Ochre, Early Morning Blue, Hazy Lazy Brown, Russian Rouge, Wet Weed Green, Corporate Orange, Persnickety Purple.

For more information, including finished painting, price, and availability, click here.

Tootsie Fruitsy

Nov 8

Posted by Woody in Contradictions, Forum, Miscellaneous, Non-Objective, Woody's Watercolors | No Comments

Tootsie Fruitsy DETAIL - Woody Hansen Watercolor
Tootsie Fruitsy – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

Well, here we go … another opening of another show (so to speak, er, write). This painting is a studio piece. By that I mean it was painted entirely in the studio environment. I did it as a demonstration piece for the folks who are participating in my current watercolor classes.

In its finished state,Tootsie Fruitsy, gets its title from two sources. First, this work reminds me of Juicyfruit gum. I can smell the delicious aroma as I type this overly wordy entry. Second, another tip of the old hat to that creative, artistically inclined, youngster, Craig Ferguson (host of The Late, Late, Show on CBS (or as the Smother’s Brothers used to call it, the Cow Boy Station). As many of you know, Craig often does a humorous bit about the “Tootsie Fruitsy Ice-ah Creama” man (no offense intended to my friends of Italian ancestry). Or, as Craig might say,“Come on, lighten up, it’s a JOKE!”

I’m not sure how I feel about this particular watercolor. Part of me likes it and another part isn’t so sure. The two sides battled it out in my brain and the “likes it” won out. Of course it’s not about like it or not, it is about learning, about the journey, about the luxury of being able to do it at all. Besides, in art, failure is success.

In retrospect, I might have stopped several layers earlier* . There are times when a painting seems to come too early, too easily ,and one mistakenly feels a need to push on, to develop it further. I try to avoid this kind of silliness, but every once in a while “trying to please” takes over. Who the devil am I trying to please? Who ever it might be, an imagined audience composed of peers, students, jurors, societies, galleries, critics, the buying public, etc., is caused by self doubt, insecurity, and ignorance. Truth be told, what really matters is the opportunity to create another watercolor painting.

Colors: Juicyfruit Yellow, Censorship Red, Puritan Blue, Threatening Purple, Protestant Orange, Catholic Green, and Profitable Black.

For more information, including price and availability, click here.

————————–
* The (I could have stopped here) third of seven layers …
Tootsie - Woody Hansen Watercolor

BTB&TR

Nov 1

Posted by Woody in Forum, Freedom of Speech, Guest Artists, Non-Objective, The Past, Woody's Watercolors | No Comments

Between The Bridge and The River DETAIL - Woody Hansen Watercolor
BTB&TR – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

This painting is a non-objective, demonstration piece from my current, weekly watercolor classes. It consists of of three or four layers, one over the other with drying time between each layer. The dominate shape is derived from a newspaper photograph of four men in suits, possibly businessmen or politicians. The subject matters not, only the basic, dark and light shapes are of concern here.

The first layer is the “light” layer. I use three, high key values (light light, medium light, dark light) of transparent primary colors to lay in a wet-on-wet, non-objective pattern. The layer is allowed to dry.

Next comes the second, or medium value layer. This is done, wet-on-dry, and where the initial shapes are described within the rectangle. I create a mid-value intermediate tertiary color with which to develop the initial pattern. Before continuing, this layer is also allowed to dry.

The third and final layers, all wet-on-dry, are used to further develop. adjust. and define the over-all design.

BTB&TR is an abbreviation of Between The Bridge and The River. The name really has little to do with the

    originalintent of the painting. The title is arrived at, not before, but after the painting is completed.

    Upon finishing this non-objective watercolor I sense a feeling of the fury of a raging fire. I thought about naming the painting, Fire and Fury. Maybe I should have stuck with that original title. It is certainly much shorter in length. However, a book and an interesting religious concept came between the painting and the original title.

    I recently completed the audio book version of Craig Ferguson’s American On Purpose (The Improbable Adventures of An Unlikely Patriot). It’s a great read. I haven’t had so much fun since the days of creative radio and television personalities Don Sherwood, Al Jazzbo Collins, Steve Allen, and Johnny Carson)!

    Chapter 40 (Between The Bridge and The River), of Craig’s book seems fitting to the feeling of the painting. Also, in some small way, it is my recognition, respect, and appreciation of Craig Ferguson’s artistically creative approach to late night television.

    In the late 50’s I was fortunate to spend many Sundays as a disc jockey (“And now, here is your local announcer …’) spinning very large discs or platters (vinyl records) of a religious program. The name of the program escapes my memory, but the featured speaker was Father Keller who always ended his transcribe program with, “It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness.”

    What, you inquire, do the above five paragraphs have to do with my watercolor painting, Craig Ferguson, fire and fury, and religion? Read or , better yet, listen to the book.

    Colors: Religious Red, Devilish Scarlet, Blistering Yellow, Purgatory Blue, and Grim Reaper Black.

    For more information, including price and availability, click here.

Blue Ice

Oct 19

Posted by Woody in Forum, Non-Objective, Woody's Watercolors | No Comments

Blue Ice DETAIL - Woody Hansen Watercolor
Blue Ice – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

Blue Ice begins as a non-objective painting, wet-on-wet (wet-into-wet), on 140 pound watercolor paper.

After the paper absorbs a significant amount of water, its surface is randomly scarred with a metal putty knife. Blue paint is then applied with an eye toward creating interesting shapes of varying sizes. At this stage paint value is a range of light and mid values. The work is then allowed to dry completely.

The next layer is comprised mostly of mid and dark values of blue, Attention is devoted toward creating interesting positive/negative shapes in an attempt to bring harmony and unity to the work while developing an over all checkerboard pattern. During the time this layer is still wet and soft, the shapes are scraped with the putty knife. This layer is allowed to become totally dry before continuing..

The painting is completed in one to three more layers by making final adjustments to shapes, value, and color. The end result is a non-objective painting which has a cool temperature emphasis and a blue color dominance.

Colors: Brilliant Ice Blue Blue, Cool Earth Red, Yahoo Yellow Hue, Midnight Oasis Black.

For more information, including price and availability, click here.

Runyon River

Oct 4

Posted by Woody in Contradictions, Forum, Woody's Watercolors | No Comments

Runyon River DETAIL - Woody Hansen Watercolor
Runyon River – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

Here is a painting of a river that is, yet isn’t. Or, maybe it is a painting of a river that isn’t, yet is.

Runyon River is a fictitious name I’ve given the preliminary sketch – value plan done along the banks of the American River in Sacramento, California. That title makes no sense, right? Right, but it gives me a great excuse to use the opening lines of this post. Then too, if I were to write the real reason for the title it would probably come out sounding self serving and, overly sentimental or serious. So, Runyon River it is.

The painting features an analogous color scheme of green, blue, and violet, with a bit of grey (or gray) thrown in for good measure. The composition is of the standard landscape type of overlapping planes (foreground, mid-ground, and background). A rather basic approach, but effective just the same. It reminds one of the saying, “Keep it simple stupid.”

My Colors: Gregariously Greedy Green, Bountiful Bashful Blue, Vicariously Vicious Violet, and Middle-of-the-Road Gray Grey.
My Paper: Unstretched 140 pound, Cold Press,Winsor & Newton.

For more information, including price and availability, click here.

Sunny and Fair

Sep 20

Posted by Woody in Forum | 1 Comment

Sunny And Fair DETAIL - Woody Hansen Watercolor
Sunny and Fair – DETAIL – Original Watercolor Painting by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

Here is another of the demos I did recently at the California State Fair.

This is the first of two, similar paintings. Like the the second painting, Fair Symbols - which can be seen on this blog by scrolling down – I did Sunny and Fair without a preliminary sketch or value plan, although I had been outdoors earlier in the week painting and sketching on the fair grounds. When I paint without a preliminary sketch or value plan, I tend to begin working with shapes and try to allow the paining to evolve. At some point I might push it a bit in one direction or another. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t.

My watercolor image began as a non-objective study in design, shape, value, and color. The idea of painting at the fair is to attempt to capture some of the fair’s excitement and “magic.” I eventually began to work with my version of fair symbols. Since it was a typically hot day at the fair, I decided to work in a dominant warm orange. This piece also features a bit of signage and calligraphy, that go toward saying “State Fair.”

The overall design could be thought of as a “checkerboard” pattern (rather fitting fora West Coast watercolor painter).

For more information, including price and availability, click here.