Toxic Oil Paints

Recently I have been wearing a glove on my left hand to keep from getting paint on me or I should say, less paint on me, when painting. I'm pretty sloppy and it's not unusual for me to get paint all over me especially my left hand that I hold my paint rag in and use to clean my brushes and pallet knife.
Even taking breaks, I get pretty fatigued after 6-8 hrs painting. I was painting in Maine with Grant Hughs who was wearing a light plastic glove, like you would find with someone handling food, and asked why he wore a glove. He said a painter he had worked with found that after protecting himself from getting paint on him he had more energy. Now I know why.
Oil paints are highly toxic with heavy metals. Some are even listed as radio active such as Strontium Yellow. Most of these paints have been taken off the market and the formulas changed but I have to think it is still an issue.
Myself, I am susceptible to toxic metals as I was "leaded" while welding cadmium and zinc coated pipes when working construction. It doesn't take much and I get serious flu like symptoms.
Since I have started to protect my skin I not only have more energy but I paint better because I keep my pallet clean, something I learned from Richard Schmidt dvd, "White Pine".
Here is an article that goes with the link regarding a list of paints that are toxic. Do what you will with the info. Me I have to carry on so will keep painting. Very disappointing that all the cadmiums are on the list.
Here is a source against toxicity;
http://captainpackrat.com/furry/toxicity.htm
and here is an explanation of the subject for artists by Gamblin;
http://gamblincolors.com/newsletters/index.html

Behind the Barn, 16x20, oil

After studying the paintings of Russian Realist I have come to appreciate the colors of winter. The variety of greys are an opportunity to indulge in the temperature of colors.
As Twatchman I have come to know snow is full of color and pattern or an opportunity for design elements.
Richard Schmid forces me to draw and keep my pallet clean. Very important when trying to express the close hues of a white tree against the white snow of a mountain or the tracks of deer making paths behind the barn.
Top to bottom, front to back, thin to thick, are becoming second nature when executing the painting. I still have to stop and remind myself what range of values I had in mind but by mixing my paint before I start I achieve both a range of value and establish the overall temperature of the painting which achieves harmony.
Spontenaity is achieved by deliberation.

Village in the Mountains 8x10 oil

The town of Republic is located in the mountains between two mountain passes, Sherman pass 5500' and Wauconda pass 4300'. It is very isolated and self reliant.
This is a view of the Catholic Church which overlooks the town and valley.
The town was founded due to the discovery of gold. It is the one and only incorporated town in the County .
The area is reknown for hunting and fishing and has been the destination of many generations who appreciate that activity.
It is a very economically depressed area but a good place for an artist.
One of my favorite subjects are the small rural towns around eastern washington. Whether the wheat fields or the timbered mountains, life is changing. Many small towns may disapear due to the challenging economy. "Ghost towns do happen", as one economic specialist said.

russian painters

Each morning I get up around 4 a.m. and do my internet duty. I usually browse a wonderful site I discovered about Russian Realist painters. It is an extraordinary site with literally hundreds of images of paintings by artists. There is also a significant text of the history of Russian art and books on the subject. While the west was ramping up abstract art, artists in Russia that wanted to make a living and sometimes just survive or not be sent to Siberia (for real), had to tow the state line, which was Realism. http://www.leningradartist.com/search/t.htm#40

This is a painting by Timkov Nickolai. There are atleast 100 of his paintings on this site as well as many by atleast 100 artists. An exceptional art site.

What I find most rewarding is not only the treatment but the subjects which are very much what one would find in Eastern Washington. In particular Winter scenes, something that I have thought of as a deficiency but now appreciate for the wonderful greys that can be indulged in. Having much in common with these Russian painters that traveled the vast expanses of the Dacha and country side around St. Petersburg or Leningrad or Petrograd, depending on the regime of the time, I share the small towns and countryside covered by mounds of snow in winter and by steel blue skies that press down on both the man and the mountains. Many paintings of single horses pulling sleds of fire wood or harvesting summer crops. Unique harness used on the horses affirms my desire to travel to such places and learn how local teamsters work their horses and paint of their lifestyle. I hear that outside of St.Petersburg life has not changed much. Perhaps they still use horses?

"Chinook, Logging Horse" 11x 14, oil

My friend Rod Gould is a horselogger in Greenwood B.C. This is 'Chinook' who is a Percheron/Belgian crossbreed and is a real worker. Rod and his teams of horses have been logging a long time, maybe 30 yrs or more and is one of the few loggers left working horses in the woods.
What with all the talk about global warming, sustainable communities and carbon footprint there is much to be said for the benign technology of working horses. I'll take equine footprint over a carbon footprint anyday.
One of my ambitions is to go around the world painting and researching those that use animal power whether horses, camels, water buffalo, reindeer or elephants. I believe the future needs to have less to do with the science of machines and more to do with working with nature and the science of husbandry.
If anyone knows of a fellowship or support for such an effort, let me know.

Riding through Valhalla, 16x20, oil

A couple years ago I attended a workshop in Nakusp, BC and discovered Valhalla National Park. An extrordinary location with convenient access to some serious backcountry and alpine vistas.

David Alexander was the workshop mentor. He pushed us to experiment. I don't know how much of that stuck but the photos of the trip have.

This painting was done from a digital photo. I have been studio bound while it has been below zero for some time. Working this way is comfortable but a challenge as I lose the sponteniety of being forced to get the painting done before the light changes. Overworking the painting gets problematic so I set a timer and don't work more than an hour without taking a break and try to get things done in 3 hours total.

Lucky

latest work

Chinese Painting and Calligraphy in 3D

this is exceptional although it makes the point about the eternal truths we have come to know conveyed through mediums that last through time. My wonder is "what would we know of Jesus or Budha if their words had been digital?" probably nothing........

Painting a Scene of a New York City Street by Karin Jurick

gotta love painting to old Deano. uses a single brush for the whole painting. neutral dark imprimatura, kinda like painting on black velvet. doesn't do alot of blending. good perspective. never see these folks load their brush, makes for a magic touch