Richard D. Wieth

The Big Blue Break

2012-01-03T18:04:00.001-08:00

I have been enjoying painting the abstract subject of water. There is some much to go off on and it is a very fun excercise for me. My last post was a little one at 9"x12", this one is getting bigger at 20"x24" oil. Who knows how big or crazy they will get. Happy New Year!

Wave

2011-12-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

The power of water moving is immense and the natural sound of waves is incredibly soothing. I am drawn to capturing some of that power and beauty. There is so much color, shapes and light happening that no two waves could ever be the same. They have they're moment and then their gone. Capturing the moment is the challenge and experimenting with color, shapes, and light is the lesson the wave teaches me.

Little Portrait Sketch

2011-11-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't painted a portrait in a long time. My focus has been on still-life, landscape, sea-scape, figures etc. Anyway, lately I have been wanting to get back in the groove of painting heads, personality type characters and such. Anyway, this is the first attempt in a long time...from an old photo of a little girl. I look to painters like Bernard Dunstan, his approach is to draw with color. I also look to Henri, he preached keeping the background simple and had a very direct portrait painting style. Anyway, I look to paint more heads and will eventually make them larger than 10" x 8" oil sketches.

Little shot of courage.

2011-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a small study of a little shot of whiskey aka liquid courage. Always looking for new subjects to paint...

Sunflowers.

2011-08-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sun flowers have been a favorite of artists since they were brought back from the Americas. Their color and shape provide wonderful subjects. I enjoy painting sun flowers as other artists before me have. I like to make them the star of the stage with other objects providing more abstract color shapes. The sun flower is very much associated to the sun and its power. I love the sun having lived in Colorado and California. The sun makes me happy and I think the sunflower and hopefully my experience of sun flowers will make others happy!

Holly Cow and Red Reflections.

2011-08-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

Holly Cow! I just realized that I haven't blogged since this time last year!? Sorry for my absence. I guess Ariana Huffington doesn't have to worry about my blog taking over the Internet ranking. Anyway, I have been painting a bunch. This year I have been working on commissions including this one. Entitled "Karen's Red Reflections" it is a 20"x16"oil painting. Karen is a long time collector and friend. She wanted a painting of bright red flowers and this is the result. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Meanwhile I am trying to focus again on my web presence and pr/marketing. I have added a Facebook page for my art and hope to soon revamp my web page. Best to you and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Paintings from the show!

2010-08-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

This painting is entitled "Blooms" and is a 20"x24" oil painting. It is the image that Elliott Yeary Gallery chose as the postcard image. All of the paintings in the show can be seen on line at http://www.elliottyeary.com/ . I will be sprinkling them into the blog to keep things coming. The show was wonderful. Elliott Yeary did such a wonderful job of hanging, promoting/advertising, and executing a top notch exhibition. I am honored to be represented by such professionals! More images to come...

Solo Show at the Elliott Yeary Gallery in Aspen, CO July 26 to August 29, 2010

2010-07-12T18:20:00.003-07:00

Solo show at the Elliott Yeary Gallery in Aspen, CO from July 26th to August 29th. Opening reception July 30th! The new paintings have been a joy to paint. I look forward to their reception and public welcome. They touch on old and new themes all trying to convey the spontaneity of life, the quick simple beauty around us, the vibrant moments that surround us. If you can't see them in person remember to contact the gallery with interest and view the new works at www.elliottyeary.com

Crash!

2010-02-09T12:16:00.003-08:00

I have read recently that you are only as good as your last painting. That is probably stolen from the old salesman's saying you are only as good as your last month's sales. Anyway, lately, I am thinking that you are only as good as the passion and excitement you have for what your doing. I think boredom is obvious in many final products. I must say that I am finding some exciting subjects here in California. One that I have been experimenting with like this one: "Crash" 8"x10" oil. The coast line and ocean have such great colors and naturally abstract shapes. The energy and moment are getting me excited and passionate. More coastline paintings are in store.

Life Drawing - Red Robe

2010-01-12T21:14:00.002-08:00

This is the purple/pink haired model painted with brown hair. I don't think she minded. I am really enjoying painting the figure from life more. The values and shapes are right there not corrupted by the camera or flash. It is also nice to get around other artists including students to talk about the processes.

Greg's Arizona Playground

2010-01-05T22:18:00.002-08:00

We had the opportunity to visit a very good old friend in Pheonix over Thanksgiving. During our stay we went hiking at sunset. This painting is inspired by that hike. Soaking up all the desert colors, the vibrations of life as the day cools, and the sunset that turns the world a glow.

Purple Haired Model (sensor yourself)

2009-12-15T11:55:00.002-08:00

What do you do when you show up to life drawing on a cool rainy winters night in Laguna Canyon and the model has purple hair? Many of the artists in the room made her hair brown, an easy fix. I decided that the attractive model had purple hair for a reason and what would the great painters of the past have done. So I decided to paint her with her purple hair (with streaks of blue and pink). Anyway, it made for an interesting exercise with the bright pink robe. When attending open session life drawing sessions you never know what you will get. You always have to make the best of the situation often omitting tattoos and pierces. In this case the painting turned out sweet although probably not easily marketable.

Life Drawing (Censor Yourself)

2009-09-07T18:22:00.003-07:00

I have enjoyed getting back into the life drawing world. As many know I am primarily a studio artist. I like to paint from life as much as possible however I am not a purist and like to use photos as reference for many of my paintings. Anyway, with the move. I decided to get out become more involved in the world. I have been venturing to Laguna Canyon often to join the various life drawing groups. I have met some very nice artists in the process and have come away with some real nice quick pastel drawings.

Time to Boogie

2009-08-26T16:14:00.002-07:00

Here is the latest painting dealing with my latest inspiration of the Southern California beaches. Watching kids in the ocean is so universal. They are drawn in and seem to know what to do. In this case I am interested in action and chaos of the sport of boogie boarding. Feel the water and the waves. Feel the joy.

Green Aspen Grove

2009-07-16T16:06:00.002-07:00

As the weather here in Southern California begins to get, well let's just call a spade a spade, HOT! In my mind I go to the cool aspen tree grove. An afternoon storm soon to come and the chill approaches. I love all the wild flowers that would flourish in the moist soil under the aspen trees. The roots would actually retain moisture in the ground for the flowers to grow. That is the simple inspiration for the latest tree painting taken from a reference photo near Snowmass, CO. It is a 14"x 11" oil entitled "Green Aspen Grove".

Imapact.

2009-07-07T17:37:00.002-07:00

O.K. am really feeling these surf/figure paintings. The hours of observation and reference gathering are paying off and I am excited about the subject and the results. This is the latest of the subject matter. It is called "Impact" and a small 14"x11" oil. Perhaps I have the beginnings of a show here with these subjects. I am jazzed and I hope that others will be as well. You can feel the sun and see the water!

Sunflowers in Blue Pot

2009-06-18T08:30:00.003-07:00

Jennifer's birthday flowers inspired the latest still-life. I love the colors of nature and all of the abstract areas withing the overall painting. Look closely and it is like a thousand small abstracts. The move has helped me to shake things up as well as go back to my roots and hold close the things that matter. When I am painting the only worry is the painting itself everything else dissappears.

Surf Jumpers!

2009-05-27T16:59:00.003-07:00

Well we have settled into the SoCal pace and flow. The beach is close and is providing much inspiration. Whether it be the water itself or the figures running around the subjects are many. I'm currently working on more paintings that feature this subject matter in addition to the subjects I already love to paint. Here is the latest painting. It is alive with the ocean and the joy of youth in the waves.

Bross and Gracie

2009-05-06T14:57:00.002-07:00

Wow, I haven't thought about blogging in some time. Anyway, studio is moved and working. Southern California is warm and beautiful. My first project was a commission of two great dogs. Bross and Gracie. I liked the way they turned out and thought I would share. Anyway, let the dog lovers know about my pet portraits. I love to paint them and "they make a great gift" (how cheesy did that sound). Anyway, my new surroundings has me thinking of painting surf and sunsets. I hope to visit the blog more regularly now.

Profile in Blue (censor yourself)

2009-01-07T09:57:00.003-08:00

Here is a sketch that I just finished. Back to pastel! As much as I love oil paint, I always love coming back to pastel. It is so immediate and spontaneous. This turned out very loose with a beautiful blue abstract.

2008-12-25T17:08:00.004-08:00

Wow, time sure flies by, it has been a long time since I have posted anything. Today, I don't want to promote anything, I would just like to wish the few people who may view this well wishes and a very merry Christmas! I hope that our world will heal and that the uncertainties and worries will subside. It is important to continue to love each other and keep a smile on our face.

Another New Nude (again please censor yourself)

2008-11-12T14:42:00.002-08:00

Here is another new nude. It is painted in oil and I think turned out real nice. The skin is very fleshy and the background is nice and abstract with god dark shapes.

Charity begins at the studio...

2008-11-03T15:09:00.002-08:00

I am asked periodically to donate paintings to charity and sometimes I do. This year I donated a piece to the Western Heritage Museum in Cheyenne,WY. I also donated a piece, as I do annually, to the Bradford School auction. The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design approached me about painting a canvas for their upcoming auction. I became acquainted with the school during my last show on the campus at the Steele Gallery. It is an excellent art school and I felt honored to have a show there as well as honored to be asked to paint a canvas for there auction. I painted one of my favorite subjects a partially peeled orange. The 3rd annual Art Bash is December 6th and the funds go to the scholarship fund. These auctions are a great way to get a painting (sometimes at a significant discount) and at the same time donate to charity.

A new nude (please censor yourself)

2008-10-29T10:09:00.002-08:00

Well here is a new nude. I have done most of my figure in pastel over the years, here is one in oil. I think it turned out very well, I am especially happy with the abstract background and the edges of the red cover.

Something Different.

2008-10-17T09:10:00.004-07:00

Here is something different. Sometimes we need to try different subjects and this is one that I have been thinking about for a while. I took photos in Mexico of some young ladies on their horses. Even though the photo was of a modern day rodeo seen, the photo reminded me of a more romantic and simpler time. I attempted to paint it in the spirit of the western artists of old; representing the subject while creating mystery and telling a story.

Blogging is harder than it seems.

2008-10-09T18:21:00.002-07:00

Blogging is hard. You have to actually sit down at the computer and contribute to it. Well, I know it has been a long time since my last post and I apologize. Here is the latest "big" painting. It is called "The Fall Path" it measures 4'x8' and is oil. It is at the Elliott Yeary Gallery in Aspen. It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind. The t.v. and radio bombard us with worries. Let's agree to enjoy the quiet moments, the beautiful moments, the simple moments with family and friends. There is no sense in worrying about things we cannot change and there is no sense in letting our lives pass us by without soaking in some of the simple joys.

For Those Who Like the Figure

2008-07-16T15:40:00.002-07:00

Well, since I have been lax here is another recent painting. I still enjoy painting the figure and this painting is available at the Elliott Yeary Gallery in Aspen, CO. So for those of you who like my figure work, here you go!

River Sketch

2008-07-15T20:31:00.002-07:00

O.K. I know it has been a while since my last post. This has been perhaps the nicest summer ever in Colorado. It has been very moderate and with very few storms. It could be the fastest passing summer as well as it seems to be flying by. This is a sketch of a river. The reason I am posting a sketch is because I intend to paint a larger version. I hope to capture the summer haze and heat of the subject.

2008-06-16T20:15:00.003-07:00

I have always enjoyed painting Native Americans whether it is a simple portrait or a complex dancer. I return to this subject periodically and I always try to convey the spirit of the person, the dance and create a painting which is visually alive. This painting entitled "Pow Wow Dancer" 16"x11" oil can be purchased at the Link Gallery in Cheyenne, WY. I have had a lot fun participating in the Western Heritage Show at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum. It has given me the opportunity to meet some great people that love Western art and art in general. If your ever in the area make a stop in downtown Cheyenne you will be surprised by the town's revitalization and the beatiful paintings at the Link Gallery.

2008-06-12T14:33:00.002-07:00

I am not sure that many know that I paint a lot of dog portraits. I have painted dog portraits for different Denver Art Museum board members as well as our beloved animals. This is the latest dog portrait that I have finished. It was commissioned by a good friend and important collector of my work. I think it is important to capture the animals spirit as well as creating an over-all work of art.

Mud Season Storm

2008-06-06T09:40:00.002-07:00

"Mud Season Storm" is my newest landscape (30"x36" oil). I painted it for the Fall Paralleled Show a the Phillip J. Steele Gallery at the Rocky Mountain School of Art and Design. I am very proud to be asked to be apart of the show in which I will have 3 paintings. This painting is of the countryside looking west near Loveland, CO this Spring. I really thought the remaining snow formations were interesting and the developing storm created a very mysterious day.

In the Glow

2008-06-04T07:57:00.003-07:00

"In the Glow" is the newest large landscape that I have painted. It measures 4'x8' and can be seen and purchased at the Elliott Yeary Gallery in Aspen, CO. I have really enjoyed painting these large format landscapes and I will probably continue to paint them at a rate of one a year. I love painting the aspen trees they have such great color and contrast. When we lived near Blackhawk, CO we had a large aspen patch in our backyard. I tied a hammock between the trees in the fall. The wind would rustle the leaves, rock the hammock and the glow of the gold leaves would be all around.

First Blog.

2008-05-27T22:08:00.002-07:00

Well here goes nothing. I am dipping my toe into the big blog sea. It is my intention to share my art, inspiration and ideas with my friends, collectors and art lovers on the web. So to get things started, here is a simple painting of some teddy bear sunflowers. They always remind me of "Barbie" who had the best garden. I promise to keep the paintings coming and the ramblings to a minimum.