Notan

 Trying something new - Notan, the simplest kind. Notan means black and white and in painting one does a sketch making everything in shadow to be black and everything in light to be white.

This is my pencil drawing.

Next, draw the image onto the canvas and paint the black and white. This canvas happened to have a pinkish background so I left it. Now to keep the coloring in mind that would mean darker values in the shadows and lighter values in the light.

The whole notan system has me thinking clearer. I look forward to more exploration of this method.

 Finished painting:

 "Just a Sip"

5 x 7

Oil on canvas

SOLD

Another Walk. Another Painting

Misty Morning

5 x 7, Oil on Panel

I take lots of walks around West Malling. I really do appreciate this part of England. When I don't forget my camera I can get loads of great paintng subjects. This was one of them.

"Scrambled Eggs Maker"

each canvas is 2 1/2" square

Framed in one, 4-holed frame

I have painted from the reference photo before but had lots of fun cropping it up to these bits. I think that may paint from other already used references too. I learn more each time I do it.

"My Cows Love the Shade"

24 x 30cm

oil on panel

SOLD

So often when I take my walk up to the park to see the Highland Cattle there I find them napping under the trees. I slowly work my way into their midst so as not to startle them and to let them know that I am a friend. If I could, I would actually go up and give them a big cuddle but I know that they would not put up with that so I have to just use my imagination and pretend that I do.

"Falling Fence"

3 x 5

Oil on panel

SOLD

The autumn sun shows at a lower and lower angle as the year gets old. This makes for some great photo opps and painting references. There are lots of these rickety old fences around in this part of England. You will see more paintings of some of them one of these days. Working this small not only gets a painting done faster but ends up teaching me more and more about painting in oils.

Cascade at St. Mary's Abbey

The Cascade at St. Mary's Abbey

24 x 30cm

Oil on panel

This painting is an iconic image in West Malling where I live. 218 years ago Turner also painted this. I love knowing that as I walk the road from my house to the village, I am walking in his footsteps. And doing the same view of the water just gives me tingles.

"A Stroll Through Englischer Garten"

9 x 12

Oil on panel

Late last winter Bob and I were in Munich. What a city! Easy to walk. Easy to understand the layout. One misty morning we woke up and took a walk through the Englischer Garten, which they say is bigger than Central Park. These riders were way off in the distance but were so compelling to watch. I have been wanting to do a foggy scene for a while and this one had a story that had mystery to it that drew me in. (Aside: There were also surfers in the river/stream that goes through this park - SURFERS!! I think it was a wave machine in one area that created enough for them to play on. )

My Facebook Fan Page

I am working at connecting all of my exposure vehicles together. So if you are Facebook please check out my page and click like to follow me.
www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Kling-McConkey-Art/258729710827265

EBook

I am working on a small, FREE, ebook on how to construct a round canvas since I have done well over 140 of them for my cosmic paintings and abstracts. I would like to get an idea on how many people would have an interest in this so please let me know.

Mooooo

Highland Cattle - Meal Time

24 x 30cm

oil on panel

SOLD

These beautiful cows are a 5 minute walk from my front door. They are part of a grazing program. After 6 months or so they will be moved to some other park to graze so I have to take advantage of them while they are here. This mother cow and her white calf are easy to distinguish from the rest. In fact, yesterday I was visiting them (again!!) and got to watch the mama licking the calf's face, grooming it. So sweet. Of course I didn't have my camera. Grrr. This breed of cows (Highland Cattle) must have something genetic in them that has them with their tongues out more often then any other cows I have seen. If I can capture a good overall photo of this you will see a painting or tow of it.

Peaking Out of the Woods

16 x 12

Oil on panel

In the middle of the open park area is a wooded area. Quite often you can find the cows scattered amongst the trees. When they first came here in August you could barely see them at times because they hadn't eaten the grasses down yet. They are easier to see now.

Figuratives

Noodle

7 x 5

oil on panel

SOLD

Free Range Chickens in the winter make for eye catching and different painting possibilities - especially when those chickens double as pets (sort of). Noodle is the calmest one of the 6.

Jenny

18 x 24cm

oil on panel

SOLD

On skype there is a way to take photos of the people you are talking to while you are talking. I loved the lighting that was going on during this conversation so I took loads of photos in hopes for this one. I had fun.

Puppy Love

9 x 12

oil on panel

SOLD

The love and emotional involvement that those closed eyes depict just screamed connection with this scene. I am not sure the dog is feeling the love - maybe a bit too much lovin' who knows - but I sure was.

Nap After a Float on the Pond

8 x 10

oil on panel

SOLD

Swimming in the pond can take it all out of you. I love how the hammock seems to swallow him up and cradle him to sleep.

Pregnant Pause

9 x 12 

oil on panel

Mommy is about to pop at any minute but still had plenty of patience and attention for #1 child. I love how the California sun hits them.

Cockerel at Round Oak Farm

The Young Cockerel

18cm x 24cm

oil on panel

SOLD

What is there about chickens that pulls one to paint them? Color, shape, odd elegance and grace? I saw all of them in this one.

Young Cockerel #2

24cm x 18cm

oil on panel
SOLD

I like looking for the colors within the black and white. 

Another Path

England Path #2 to East Malling

5 x 7

Oil on Panel
SOLD

This path is narrow and so inviting. So many of the paths in England are. There is such a romance about them. At times I feel like I am in a fairytale book as I walk them. I let my imagination wander.

A Walk in the Park in England

"A Walk in the Park in England"

5 x 7"

Oil on panel
SOLD

These romantic scenes are around every corner in this woodland area. I could feel the footsteps of the many, many others who have walked here before me. The open woods just let the sunlight stream in. I really enjoy how light blue can capture such a mood.

Highland Mama and Calf #1

"Highland Mama and Calf #1"

30 x 40 cm

oil on panel

SOLD

I am in love with the Highland Cattle. I not only have found a rancher here who raises them but they also move some about the park system here in England to be part of a grazing program so I have them at a distance of a 5 minute walk. They are beautiful creatures.
I recently found out that this cow had lost her first born in the birthing process and this is her #2. It would appear that motherhood is suiting her

Cascade at St. Mary's Abbey

The Cascade at St. Mary's Abbey

24 x 30cm

Oil on panel

This painting is an iconic image in West Malling where I live. 218 years ago Turner also painted this. I love knowing that as I walk the road from my house to the village I am walking in his footsteps. Painting the same view of the water just gives me tingles. Check out his painting: Turner's Painting of the Cascade at St. Mary's Abbey

I am donating this painting to the Rotary Club to be raffled off. Proceeds going to the Rotary House Day Centre - a facility for the elderly to have activities, etc.

Bea and Shana

"Bea", 8 x 10, oil on panel

SOLD

"Shana", 8 x 10, oil on panel
SOLD

England Loves Her Horses - so do I

"An Important Relationship"

30 x 40cm (about 12 x 16")

March Acylics

"On the streets of Munich" 60 x 60cm

"History" 60 x 60cm

February 2011 Oils

"Sunshine" 9 x 12
SOLD

This is a significant painting for me because of it's looseness. I want ot do more paintings to explore the looser style.

"Slide" 8 x 10

"Wet Pants" 8 x 10
SOLD

Shadows and the weight of the wet pants. The posture too. That's what drew me to this one.

"Adoring Peck" 7 x 5
SOLD

I really like the close crop here. The whole thing was about the kiss and Mom watching baby and baby not really noticing it. Such love at this stage has to be adoration.

"Pippa" 10 x 8

Deep shadows, lost details. Lost edges. Gonna do more of this too. So much to experiment with and learn. I guess it is never done.

Two for the Cranbrook Exhibition

"The Discovery"

60cm x 60cm

"The Space Between"

70cm x 70cm

Some more figuratives

I am being pulled to do more and more figurative oils. I am happy with these but be watching for a looser technique soon.

"Toss a Stone, Make a Wish"

8" x 10"

Loved the gesture as she tossed a pebble into the water.

"Free Range in the Snow"

8" x 10"
SOLD

The unlikely scene draws me. Especially when it is unexpected and with no trickery. Chickens walking over a bridge in the dead of winter. Of course. The deep shadows of a lower winter sun helped to show off not only the chickens but more importantly, their shadows.

"Pondering at a Fire Gone Cold"

8" x 10"

So 'everyday different' was this scene. Cold. Crisp. Quiet. Again the long shadows of the winter sun.

"Huddling in the Barn"

8" x 10"
SOLD

Traditional Work

These works done in oil have me further exploring complementary pallets for a more alive feeling.

Exploring the Winter Beach

8" x 10"
SOLD

Alpaca Next Door

10" x 8"

Old Mare

16" x 20"

Tail in the Sunlight

10" x 8"
NFS

Millie

8" x 10"
SOLD

Millie and Wobbly

8" x 10"
SOLD

Abstracts in England

I have been in the UK about a year. My artwork continues to call me in two directions. This direction is my non-objective abstracts. I am enjoying the additional mark-making aspect of these paintings.

Icy Hot

27" x 59"

Dyed in the Wool

About 40 x 40

Orange Dab

About 30 x 30

Red with Lilac

About 40 x 40

Grand Opening of "Pop Revolution" Gallery

Well it has finally been done. Over the ears I have had many people ask if I have ever considered hanging my work from the ceiling. Pop Revolution finally did it. Their grand opening is JNovember 8, 4-8pm These picture start to give you the idea but this is before they installed the uplights and put the bean bags in place. It should be a fun experience so come on down.
Gallery 42 is right next door and is havin an opening at the same time so you get 2 for the effort of 1.