Thursday, August 26, 2010

"Alone in Winter" By Li Mahalik

Oil on Gessoed Masonite, 6"x6"

This painting was  based on a picture I took during a plein air paint-out at the Pebble Beach along the Bush highway. The green tree stood out amongst the grey leafless trees along the creek. I added some horizontal elements to break up the many vertical lines.

Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or have something in mind  for a painting. Or visit my website, and my blog. Thank you so much for viewing

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

"Land of The Mescalero"

Oil on Canvasbord, 16"x16"

For my friend, Fourhawks. The world is kinder and more beautiful because of you.

Monday, August 23, 2010

"From My Heart" By Li Mahalik


Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 20"x16"

I painted this a week ago and let it sit in my studio while pondering about it. It had a lot more red then and had no dark value, and it seemed too sweet. So, I revised it a bit today. Even though it's an abstract, a focal point or area still helps tying everything up. I would have loved all my abstracts to look good no matter how you placet it. Not this one, though. It wants to look like a bunch of flowers, from my heart.

Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or have something in mind for a painting. Or visit my website, and my other blog. Hope you have a wonderful week!

An update of my 4'x4' commissioned abstract painting: I'm painting it in my mind, no kidding!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

"It's A Small World"








Oil, 6"x6"



I'm putting this painting I did a few weeks ago up just for fun because it does not exist any more. It had been transformed into "A Promise" (see it in my blog). I miss it, but I have it in my file.

A lady who came to buy our furniture advertised on Craiglist ended up commissioned me to do a 4'x4' abstract painting. I'm excited. I hope it'll turn out well....

Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or have something in mind for a painting. Or visit my website, and the Daily Painters of Arizona blog.

Thank you so much for looking!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

"Forget-me-not" by Li Mahalik








"Forget-me-not"
Oil on Gessoed Masonite
6"x6"

A month ago, I did a painting called In the Blue, of some penstemen flowers by the road superimposed on the blue shadow of a tree. Sometimes, when I do the house chores, I would think about the etherial image, about how best to show the feeling. Today, I put it down after a few tries, going a full circle and came back to my original imagination. I think the name "Forget-me-not" is fitting. Don't you think?

Sunday, August 8, 2010

"Untitled IV"



Oil on Gessoed Masonite, 6"x6", $125

To me, Abstract is more difficult to paint than representational painting because the process tends to go through different kinds of preparation, research and techniques. But in the end, it will have to meet the criterias of what makes a good painting: composition, values, color harmony, proportion, depth, eye movement, etc. There are so many ways an abstract can turn out: a little darker here and more color there; warmer here and less busy there. So, here it is, an exit way appeared and I called it a day. 

Please come visit my other blog to see more recent paintings, or my website to see other paintings. If you have any suggestions, comments or interest to purchase, please feel free to contact me via my email. 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

"Omnipresent"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, 16x20

It was fun and different going back to a bigger canvas. A dear friend came to paint with me today. In between the conversations, I had room to ease my fixation and made this expedition a joyful one. Please come visit my blog to see more recent paintings, or mywebsite to see other paintings. If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact me via my email.