tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24123132404964179052024-02-20T13:20:38.315-05:00Rachel Klecker Cleggoriginal oil paintings & other musings from the studioRachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-51099816582449994262021-12-31T17:36:00.000-05:002021-12-31T17:36:00.836-05:00Fall Aspens<p>Squeezing in a post for 2021! </p><p>As not illustrated on this blog, it was truly a productive year for creating new pieces. In between landscape architecture projects, other paintings, and life woven in a pandemic, I had the pleasure of working on this commission piece. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0OWdtlDEHCUpWs1ZAgEUJDhnhYJJYslAm6JTlU6E67Fb8ZrRV43u_ARFqs7are5a4KO-DzHEpQfEyUU6wVIUHW12958a_-tDNiUfNKZeEoiOXtZWYQaGUUPLcdsGxzFtWRC11_ia2wg1p-9PGDVDivbX8DUqpd3Lu_PLTp_pMnRuzpTRY9Ld1zhg1=s2430" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="2430" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0OWdtlDEHCUpWs1ZAgEUJDhnhYJJYslAm6JTlU6E67Fb8ZrRV43u_ARFqs7are5a4KO-DzHEpQfEyUU6wVIUHW12958a_-tDNiUfNKZeEoiOXtZWYQaGUUPLcdsGxzFtWRC11_ia2wg1p-9PGDVDivbX8DUqpd3Lu_PLTp_pMnRuzpTRY9Ld1zhg1=w400-h257" title="Fall Aspens, oil on canvas, triptych 24x48in each panel" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Late last spring, I was approached to create a piece that was 48x72-inches of Aspens. We narrowed it down to a grove of Aspens in full golden fall color and settled on making this large painting into a triptych. I drew a series of sketches to work out composition and light/shadow values and agreed on what you see here.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYYURCk3n1RRnYDgM9tWXGnwOuhSDnVNs8Hn4_1AvtIr27E0h46E4H3GgRtdEE1dUSzNZ10KVAlHSfv11BEvD-luOxLr02Nh2YdZ9DZU9xj5-T8BvBJYI-0aUs22n7Lr3k-zypPNS_mZ_jTZ7jBuSkwPTVOS4CdW5GKz0yuwWDoiIyQJ8kLgsIvCxF=s5184" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3423" data-original-width="5184" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYYURCk3n1RRnYDgM9tWXGnwOuhSDnVNs8Hn4_1AvtIr27E0h46E4H3GgRtdEE1dUSzNZ10KVAlHSfv11BEvD-luOxLr02Nh2YdZ9DZU9xj5-T8BvBJYI-0aUs22n7Lr3k-zypPNS_mZ_jTZ7jBuSkwPTVOS4CdW5GKz0yuwWDoiIyQJ8kLgsIvCxF=w400-h264" title="Prepetory Sketch for Fall Aspens" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>What do you reference when a grove of Aspens is not outside your door? I looked up images and read about Populus tremuloides, "Quaking Aspen". I also relied on memories and meditations. One amazing fact about an aspen grove is that it is actually one plant. All the trunks in a grove may be genetically identical rising up from the same root system. Makes "quaking Aspen" sound like a poetic spin on "attack of the clones". <br /></p><p></p><p></p>Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-58199991770317057062020-08-20T12:53:00.000-04:002020-08-21T08:35:41.732-04:00Sunset OBX - Firepower<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC4cZaudPX7zmec6_xycUFN9-hETg_lx9mXN4JuatTpHdODUbqiYqQVNSGU6Pq2IC9Nl9f3REOweDGjwJUH2ghbWYj9rZEG_vvWdLf1GR_0jwy5N8pZ6PhcO3IeesmikH-RoynZiaYOY/s1600/Sunset_OBX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC4cZaudPX7zmec6_xycUFN9-hETg_lx9mXN4JuatTpHdODUbqiYqQVNSGU6Pq2IC9Nl9f3REOweDGjwJUH2ghbWYj9rZEG_vvWdLf1GR_0jwy5N8pZ6PhcO3IeesmikH-RoynZiaYOY/s320/Sunset_OBX.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunset OBX</b> - 5 x 5", oil on board</td></tr>
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On what is essentially a thin ribbon of sand, stands a thread of high-wire communication lines. They line the western edge of Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I've always thought of this place as the edge of the world. It tends to feel that way when all you see in either direction is water and sky. Out here, there is a steady undertow of vulnerability and constant change. Out here, sustaining life is balancing act that requires grit and a bit of a carpe diem mindset. Looking west, seeing the sun lower to the horizon through these powerlines is a reminder of that. It all feels feeting.<br />
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This was a panel I pulled out of an old stack left over from one of our visits to Hatteras. I had sketched the powerlines over an orange ground. I remember my husband commenting something along the lines of 'not many people want to look at a painting of utility lines'. Meh, okay - I lost steam and put aside. Rediscovering it, I wondered 'How to do you make an everyday image beautiful?'. I had fun trying.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-68661532146484455422020-02-11T18:59:00.000-05:002020-08-21T08:38:01.498-04:00Knotted Maple with Fireflies - The Struggle is Real.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zt4Y2IiTuQP-o_rTEEscngEuJ5HPmSYppmvcH6Tbe1HvBwo-gYZG-X-IwtN7HFMdpM121IBTLsafGON0D5gOi3HFYSI7hTmx67_J6uZZTeaLe3Uo8aMTyHsxNx3DUBfVixrWtR30660/s1600/Knotted_Maple_with_Fireflies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zt4Y2IiTuQP-o_rTEEscngEuJ5HPmSYppmvcH6Tbe1HvBwo-gYZG-X-IwtN7HFMdpM121IBTLsafGON0D5gOi3HFYSI7hTmx67_J6uZZTeaLe3Uo8aMTyHsxNx3DUBfVixrWtR30660/s640/Knotted_Maple_with_Fireflies2.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Knotted Maple with Fireflies</b>, 24x36" oil on board</td></tr>
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I struggled with this painting. While there are struggles with most all paintings, this one almost ended in destruction. I kept putting it on my easel, taking it off my easel, turning it upside-down, turning it to the wall, asking it what it wanted...on and on for about two years. I would have small success (like the light around the bark on the bottom right) and then days where every brush stroke lead me deeper down the path of dread. The ferns were not part of the initial composition. Neither were the fireflies. They came later as the tree sat there lacking context; bare, alone, and uninteresting. Now I think they are two the best parts of this piece.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMb1f2jpLg5pBDNtLX3KDR0iVl8IiiA13du49VBQfmToSTp1G6XSa2SDNTGT2s7hgBJJD2PwJhGzozIZt60dgZrQ54bncdh1ge4NWy27uK3v_D70DI5w-f3Rh-RTMiy-fDEnr4IJJ2ug/s1600/Knotted_Map_wrapped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMb1f2jpLg5pBDNtLX3KDR0iVl8IiiA13du49VBQfmToSTp1G6XSa2SDNTGT2s7hgBJJD2PwJhGzozIZt60dgZrQ54bncdh1ge4NWy27uK3v_D70DI5w-f3Rh-RTMiy-fDEnr4IJJ2ug/s320/Knotted_Map_wrapped.JPG" width="240" /><span id="goog_1482572075"></span><span id="goog_1482572076"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Knotted Maple with Fireflies </b>- Detail</td></tr>
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Then came an email from The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League with a show prospectus "Flora, Fauna, and Figure". Maybe this piece was waiting for the right time to flee the studio. Regardless, it was the final push I needed to finish it. This photo (as usual) does not do it justice. Come out and see it in person. Opening night is this Friday, February 14th 2020 at the Red House Gallery in Black Mountain, NC. Can't make it? Grab a friend and go see some art that is local to you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlo2kU_8mfqveiluNRcRZpfEPWPgoCmzCc9L3AcezSzLme3H-9rePOxBx7EL6O87YP6XzLighdAIiRqlYrjMpBnXdRlsRqfA-TrCovD8tzSuW9FSyGMFWuQY3TVtAiAObc_5vvCk3zoA/s1600/Knotted_Map_sketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlo2kU_8mfqveiluNRcRZpfEPWPgoCmzCc9L3AcezSzLme3H-9rePOxBx7EL6O87YP6XzLighdAIiRqlYrjMpBnXdRlsRqfA-TrCovD8tzSuW9FSyGMFWuQY3TVtAiAObc_5vvCk3zoA/s320/Knotted_Map_sketch.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Knotted Maple</b> - Original Sketch</td></tr>
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.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-82694936037923486112019-09-09T10:54:00.000-04:002020-08-21T08:40:27.122-04:00The Magic of Corn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5_wiUPLBMVLmuUVz5x1CgW7BVEXsPGHTZ5jZALG6Sskef0yZJ6Gipb2nkHqFLVZfgY7dwtvCyj0h7vk3yDrYUB4WiQUBEQMr1bIGX-se9cz2smex8AXFkU88kLgGphLKFiPqTa5s4vs/s1600/Corn_Stalks_2019-12x24in_kleckerclegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5_wiUPLBMVLmuUVz5x1CgW7BVEXsPGHTZ5jZALG6Sskef0yZJ6Gipb2nkHqFLVZfgY7dwtvCyj0h7vk3yDrYUB4WiQUBEQMr1bIGX-se9cz2smex8AXFkU88kLgGphLKFiPqTa5s4vs/s400/Corn_Stalks_2019-12x24in_kleckerclegg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">©Rachel Klecker Clegg<i>, Stalks of Corn</i>, 24x12", oil on canvas</td></tr>
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Corn has been in the news a lot lately. To be more specific, corn as a commodity has been making the news. That's not what inspired me to paint this piece. It was the magic of corn.<br />
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Inspiration came as the result of watching corn grow in our garden which we had planted off our back deck. I had started to work from home in those days and was enjoying a break in the day under a bright sun on the back deck. From there, I could look up at the corn blossoms. That's when I noticed - bees. They were dancing and gathering pollen from the flowers and as they did, some pollen would fall down and gather in the stalks. Now, I grew up in central Ohio, a place blanketed by corn fields. I have seen landscapes dominated by corn but, I had never seen it from this perspective. This was more than seeing. This was the first time I witnessed the alchemy of nature relative to stalks of corn. This was a revealing of the magic that flows through all things. It was beautiful.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-78209278631134093402019-07-21T16:50:00.000-04:002019-07-21T18:26:53.968-04:00Postcards of Portugal - 2Postcards of Portugal No. 2 At the eastern edge of the Town of Alburferia is a Praia dos Olhos de Agua. We had hiked atop the cliffs, down along the beach and came to a Pescadores (Fisherman's) Yard. There are bright blue huts standing as a backdrop to an off-white limestone cobblestone courtyard. Lines and colors coming together creating a unique sense of place. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fisherman Repairing Nets", 7x5", oil on board</td></tr>
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Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-92052308333009718042019-07-15T10:36:00.000-04:002019-07-15T10:36:10.154-04:00Postcards of Portugal - 1<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Jon and I spent ten days in Portugal last March. Our trip included Lisbon and
three towns on the southern coast: Tavira, Albufeira, and Lagos. I brought my sketch book on the trip but, ended up with more photos & writing than sketches. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thinking back on days of travel when we use to send postcards home, and in the interest of creating a stronger discipline around drawing and painting, I am inspired to create postcard size paintings of our travels. My goal is to complete 30 in 45 days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here we go... <b>Day one</b>. A hike along the Algarve's coast outside of Lagos in early March. We couldn't have asked for better weather. The temperature in the upper 60's F, bright sun, </span><span style="font-size: small;">and </span><span style="font-size: small;">crisp clear skies made for incredible light. The contrast of the deep blue sky, aqua marine sea, and golden striated orange clay cliffs were a sight to behold. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Spirit lifting weather. Spirit lifting landscape!</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="960" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH-PWQzuZyE9Yhh4U6II9cUou95Vl5dOJZJMiFVVzmJAFewbyfeh5XbH6vh705aV6G0LGIAO0qqIasrHSzmfIe0HlE6_nGW38K3xAP79ILv7nG2o3ZHORzoaXCZE0FrdomxnaI_5ypC4/s320/Lagos-Coast-sketch.jpg" title="Graphite Sketch Algarve's Coast" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">graphite sketch 5-1/2 x 8"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcpl-32_78rb3FujDXiDE1MSImJOcNv1HhIZGquiKbtdXJM4BpjlLWKoUiRzbkp8fKGMy0_psoe8ctvDz_O5limCdRQfik54L8ZmXD1EI1MrNZZeQ1eK1VNVH5INRJvedy2crKsObm3o/s1600/Lagos-Coast-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="960" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcpl-32_78rb3FujDXiDE1MSImJOcNv1HhIZGquiKbtdXJM4BpjlLWKoUiRzbkp8fKGMy0_psoe8ctvDz_O5limCdRQfik54L8ZmXD1EI1MrNZZeQ1eK1VNVH5INRJvedy2crKsObm3o/s320/Lagos-Coast-sm.jpg" title="Algarve's Coast Oil Painting 5x7in on board" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Algarve's Coast", 7x5", oil on board</td></tr>
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Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-35499628932025178442017-07-31T22:14:00.000-04:002017-07-31T22:14:47.762-04:00Puppy Love<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD4tB9hhiv1klmFvRFDOX7CqYeyAr6OH-HDMvNQkcnf7rklZj7QWcPpGTB6JPT4L8PbUo46bjFqltXmgEuE6YKWBeuLaHFAlAKTozvp_CWYjZKvUF_-QpJSc4dhhkPzRBQL9PiEitgDI/s1600/Leon-process1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD4tB9hhiv1klmFvRFDOX7CqYeyAr6OH-HDMvNQkcnf7rklZj7QWcPpGTB6JPT4L8PbUo46bjFqltXmgEuE6YKWBeuLaHFAlAKTozvp_CWYjZKvUF_-QpJSc4dhhkPzRBQL9PiEitgDI/s200/Leon-process1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon - initial sketch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QgwVmYc2TLNLpihPnRQNQiFaj5sbm1W_w8X2-5HDH65Ow5tDNbv0GbZJl0qlPKXl7XFLdol96-rTg-3UQoYxL2PSChClfdysdNyxPTMdDrD9cqOtfd9ZIDczGpvpm00BFlv6nPhpBLQ/s1600/Leon-process2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QgwVmYc2TLNLpihPnRQNQiFaj5sbm1W_w8X2-5HDH65Ow5tDNbv0GbZJl0qlPKXl7XFLdol96-rTg-3UQoYxL2PSChClfdysdNyxPTMdDrD9cqOtfd9ZIDczGpvpm00BFlv6nPhpBLQ/s200/Leon-process2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon - process </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnav6cAZ20ZX6hWA2voKNhFCkq8f2CbHIWmlxElM0mx8wSIrmF0GXO3VyX4KDE2vGqseT_SZSR8qR4VF5x0BbhazZb4i2p3jjesMCy304t6JOW9Z-G5432enQj920KFyjCTtRHLeHdOo/s1600/Leon-final1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnav6cAZ20ZX6hWA2voKNhFCkq8f2CbHIWmlxElM0mx8wSIrmF0GXO3VyX4KDE2vGqseT_SZSR8qR4VF5x0BbhazZb4i2p3jjesMCy304t6JOW9Z-G5432enQj920KFyjCTtRHLeHdOo/s400/Leon-final1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon - oil on board, 12x16"</td></tr>
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This sweet pea came into our lives in January at just two months old. I've been blinded by his adorable presence ever since. This painting is what I can best describe as a love note. It took me just three days to complete and I had the most fun painting this piece than I've had painting in a long time. I think it had to do with the subject. Pure joy.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-72116064269499384422016-02-23T19:54:00.000-05:002016-02-23T19:54:12.126-05:00Sedona Red Rocks ~ Little Triptych<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DrIgIdKim5RM5vM7-SZ6YQIz5bCFxpNe8Etb4SXGEuK8kI0kx6TnCVBHZGR4xNkvqJy6PSDelQ_P740-IR8UEO7PQ44oXZtGDYlZ4iftxbGX_Km31im7fwU30gtDuTXM1dAZPTpP1zs/s1600/Sedona_triptych2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DrIgIdKim5RM5vM7-SZ6YQIz5bCFxpNe8Etb4SXGEuK8kI0kx6TnCVBHZGR4xNkvqJy6PSDelQ_P740-IR8UEO7PQ44oXZtGDYlZ4iftxbGX_Km31im7fwU30gtDuTXM1dAZPTpP1zs/s400/Sedona_triptych2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona Red Rocks - 3, 8x8", oil on canvas</td></tr>
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Here is the final painting on ferric oxide ground. This was quick and so much fun to paint. Inspiration from a natural red rock skyline in Sedona, AZ captured on a late winter afternoon. Sunlight against the rocks is a beauty I will be chasing in art and life for years to come. God willing. Paint on!<br />
<br />Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-14716989889851726802015-12-30T14:59:00.000-05:002015-12-30T15:16:34.804-05:00Earth Tones: A Journey Toward Mixing My Own PaintOne of my great passions of exploration is on the subject of health: physical, cellular, ethereal, earthly. I cannot get enough information. A subject that has come to light for me in the past few years is electromagnetic fields (EMFs). You can google yourself into a rabbit hole on this one, but I will say I have meet people who sincerely express and exhibit dis-ease as a result of electrical pollution exposure. There is a LOT of information on the sources and negative aspects of man made electromagnetic fields, but like all things there are two sides. In a dualistic world the best resource in the search for balance is nature.<br />
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This brings me to Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3). My understanding from basic chemistry is that Fe2O3 is an oxidized iron or 'rust'. It turns out, it is so much more than the rust of an old Schwinn that was left in the rain. Fe2O3 is also called 'Jewelers Rouge' and is used to clean gold, silver, and other precious metals. It is an inorganic compound found in the rocks in Sedona, Arizona and apparently, it helps protect or balance the electrical fields in and around people. How exactly? Well, here's another great google afternoon: Schumann Resonances and Scalar Energy. I'm not sure the extent of it's efficacy, but it's not harmful and as it turns out, artists have been using it in paint for centuries. So has begun my journey into mixing paints. For me, it's a whole new exciting world of blending art and geology.<br />
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My first run - I didn't make a paint exactly, but a gesso ground for a painting. This is what I used: Clear gesso and pure powder of Ferric Oxide (with a wee bit of water to dilute). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAhF-Ph731rf_ngJ7PRVJmqPahZZTtDEbcVy8guhjWenyEO84bzheyadU7_751vCZdWNJdwAK19U4rtOwrwzLw8adFyFAGUcc_nlBKZkH03wQieuBTYuDr0M_D5AVbM2yOKSpDo9Est0/s1600/Fe2O3.canvas.prep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAhF-Ph731rf_ngJ7PRVJmqPahZZTtDEbcVy8guhjWenyEO84bzheyadU7_751vCZdWNJdwAK19U4rtOwrwzLw8adFyFAGUcc_nlBKZkH03wQieuBTYuDr0M_D5AVbM2yOKSpDo9Est0/s320/Fe2O3.canvas.prep.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Gesso mixed with Ferric Oxide onto three 8x8" canvas.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The resulting color was absolutely vibrant! I could not accurately capture the radiant color for the screen (that's another push to get out and see art in person). Next I will try mixing this with my medium of choice, linseed oil and see how it differs as a paint vs a gesso ground. This experiment drives me to try other natural grounds and possibly trying tempera painting. One material of particular interest is mica which is abundant here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.<br />
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Happy new year and all the new possibilities it brings to you. Paint on! <br />
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<span id="goog_1696504671"></span>Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-39088437880018815642015-09-14T21:31:00.001-04:002015-09-14T21:31:32.626-04:00Looking Up - Key West<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jTBE9sQylck5-aK1BAN2ACum25Wfj9h-ktXt6oQ_gNSFyNvcoqTS_HcnFLA4WbuFZc3WwsB8gjaOQe0sHV3V4jMgwVVKZ1Iy0F6MwKhO3J5WSFUyyz7H2l8U07sVyyXkGJdLAnott1U/s1600/Two.Palms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jTBE9sQylck5-aK1BAN2ACum25Wfj9h-ktXt6oQ_gNSFyNvcoqTS_HcnFLA4WbuFZc3WwsB8gjaOQe0sHV3V4jMgwVVKZ1Iy0F6MwKhO3J5WSFUyyz7H2l8U07sVyyXkGJdLAnott1U/s400/Two.Palms.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Two Palms</b>, 24x36", oil on canvas</td></tr>
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There are sounds, colors, smells that can transport you to a place. Sit and listen to the wrestling of palm fronds. Look up to the illuminated chlorophyll against a bright island sky. Take in the smells of salt, sand, and street food. Key West, baby. Don't you want to go?Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-22366761698682962712014-12-24T13:16:00.000-05:002014-12-24T13:20:52.044-05:00Island Iguana<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz936FbCWIPehdqR9aR5FaZh6HpIFye7cmdrQe3A99kYc9NyIUluTcOFYcxZl3JrpRNal7qB6EIAeutiHaIflZ4odtV_N_DMoo3Jx-FNwuosEDJtz51w_MwiraBdVxB_ufq9UzeoFkPM0/s1600/1423-Island_Iguana-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz936FbCWIPehdqR9aR5FaZh6HpIFye7cmdrQe3A99kYc9NyIUluTcOFYcxZl3JrpRNal7qB6EIAeutiHaIflZ4odtV_N_DMoo3Jx-FNwuosEDJtz51w_MwiraBdVxB_ufq9UzeoFkPM0/s1600/1423-Island_Iguana-small.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Island Iguana</b>, 5x5", oil on board</td></tr>
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"Got grapes?", were words formulated from a loud stare. While picnicking on a Caribbean island, it's good to pack a little extra for surprise guests.<br />
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Now with a full belly he whispers, "Iguana come home with you". <br />
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This guy will be part of my art show, <b>Seaside::Poolside</b>. Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-42809967726076457492014-12-20T13:51:00.001-05:002014-12-24T13:20:26.115-05:00Honduran Hatter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2b8h_oh5nyTVzw3jvoE3G1oW9z9Eaw3BvZfT_RZZDA2aXgXfStJK0CkIeVtBNFzEG01x0F-32wEQdLJtuu1Zw7ITdyfxwzJmK0rRFPxdMw1drk-iJUod5HpIrf4vAdai0u26ThgBZKs/s1600/1422-Honduran_Hatmaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2b8h_oh5nyTVzw3jvoE3G1oW9z9Eaw3BvZfT_RZZDA2aXgXfStJK0CkIeVtBNFzEG01x0F-32wEQdLJtuu1Zw7ITdyfxwzJmK0rRFPxdMw1drk-iJUod5HpIrf4vAdai0u26ThgBZKs/s1600/1422-Honduran_Hatmaker.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Honduran Hatter</b>, 6x6", oil on board</td></tr>
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What do you do when you wake up at 5am on a cold, rainy winter's day? Go to the Caribbean of course. On the beaches of Roatan you will find crystal clear turquoise water, bright sun, and warm sand. While you're there why not buy a banana leaf hat from this gentleman? He might even sing you a tune.<br />
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This painting will be part of an up coming join exhibition with Asheville artist Moni Hill titled, "Seaside::Poolside" in Asheville, NC January 15 - March 8, 2015. Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-6716207567687030422014-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:002014-12-24T13:20:10.934-05:00"Hotel Pool with Jr."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsObeZtfvocfvlkfNuBE6O2qavCfy7ZZAz0vGvCHwNnwXOFMabC4lEAYVDlE1cfGPGwP12_ZAhynqzgcDeAG-zrw0DYMzxzaA_Nnn0s4H_EiMLyeut37yetgTZcZxtikO-VYQBgqmhVc/s1600/Hotel_Pool-with-jr.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsObeZtfvocfvlkfNuBE6O2qavCfy7ZZAz0vGvCHwNnwXOFMabC4lEAYVDlE1cfGPGwP12_ZAhynqzgcDeAG-zrw0DYMzxzaA_Nnn0s4H_EiMLyeut37yetgTZcZxtikO-VYQBgqmhVc/s1600/Hotel_Pool-with-jr.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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5 x 5" </div>
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oil on panel</div>
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Yep we're all guilty of it: taking a dip in the pool when there's a perfectly good ocean steps away. None the less, the light and colors of the water are the same amount of delicious.</div>
Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-40459094207258291292014-10-31T11:32:00.000-04:002014-12-24T13:19:56.714-05:00Happy Halloween<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGAcfcvEie7dfqsKhJ3Vim6JCOQvUm3g7s4h0KHxP3JMb0oLN5rWf1Qc2H34n5YTHEKYTdPXFoMJRX6mt2Zavb4pNr8QF2SurLbzSRPVdGsUFLw_D4tIlRUb9kfuV2kuR3gdZpRoQ6uM/s1600/Pier-Beachside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGAcfcvEie7dfqsKhJ3Vim6JCOQvUm3g7s4h0KHxP3JMb0oLN5rWf1Qc2H34n5YTHEKYTdPXFoMJRX6mt2Zavb4pNr8QF2SurLbzSRPVdGsUFLw_D4tIlRUb9kfuV2kuR3gdZpRoQ6uM/s1600/Pier-Beachside.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Beach Side Pier", 10 x 9.5", oil on board</td></tr>
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I painted this from a photo I had taken after hurricane Sandy & the 'frankenstorm' that hit NC Outer Banks two years ago. I had drawn this onto a board then, but just got around to painting it this week - spooky. I've started a series of small seaside themed paintings in preparation for a show this January in Asheville, NC. More details on January's show in the coming weeks, in the mean time I'll be sharing some new work.... and painting on.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-38623625448846737032014-04-28T22:02:00.000-04:002014-10-31T11:35:47.627-04:00Dona Juana Be Here?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHApGUhEF0N0XpVMaEuBHXonZPoTXMEZjxtgrZ2n2mr909WY_J1YHOHcpwtuB1ob2TJr_48AtvHSpoj5z36b_mnOPn3QycSvZUh7PSY87_RfvY3TqphlGL6EmzGMqr3P0sLFgpGrv2h2c/s1600/Dona_Juana.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15-3/4"x9-3/4", Oil on Board</td></tr>
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<br />Nothing better than on a cold rainy day to take off to the Caribbean... with my painting anyway. This was done from a photo I had taken on a small island off of the main island of Roatan. Something about the way the color, light and shadows bounce in and off the water was mesmerizing enough to take me back there for the day. I can almost hear the waves lapping ashore.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-23053661538806075632014-02-16T12:07:00.000-05:002014-02-16T12:08:19.537-05:00Live Oak Allee - Graphite Study<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1ihJCCabX9Xk0QVN8J6ti7PEgz6m7W9qa9By74PppuMbQ-rVWKRItd49URerH7PH9Xn6ON7TeE4sIhLihQfFlyOBX-vZJkq9nCqZ4V4KfevgALm0YNddEnE5k331V8-5C4aWfog9-xI/s1600/Live-Oak-Allee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1ihJCCabX9Xk0QVN8J6ti7PEgz6m7W9qa9By74PppuMbQ-rVWKRItd49URerH7PH9Xn6ON7TeE4sIhLihQfFlyOBX-vZJkq9nCqZ4V4KfevgALm0YNddEnE5k331V8-5C4aWfog9-xI/s1600/Live-Oak-Allee.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphite Study for Live Oak Allee</td></tr>
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Back to in the studio & it feels good. Above is a sketch for 'Live Oak Allee', a commissioned painting. It was a bit of a struggle getting the composition balanced or to a place where I felt it was interesting. I think I struggled because my paintings typically focus on the tree as subject and this is more about the path. A fun challenge I must say. Paint on.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-82261210953388276632013-11-29T11:04:00.000-05:002014-12-24T13:19:36.238-05:00Seaside Pier<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsaZHqo5ZOPAzZt82Ih60wYqg1ZEmXjyCaZHBSZmQR48CLlUJXrlJQYi3hW-yisiY3tmTnaYxnYSAI-gibmcW0xlajiXOB8h-UXDdvQsdh7A4Fi1fafZb5AU4Icum3tr4hYSKr9CsvSs/s1600/Seaside-Pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsaZHqo5ZOPAzZt82Ih60wYqg1ZEmXjyCaZHBSZmQR48CLlUJXrlJQYi3hW-yisiY3tmTnaYxnYSAI-gibmcW0xlajiXOB8h-UXDdvQsdh7A4Fi1fafZb5AU4Icum3tr4hYSKr9CsvSs/s320/Seaside-Pier.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Seaside Pier", 10.5x10.5", oil on board</td></tr>
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Revisiting the pier as the light, movement and contrast continues to inspire me to paint. Done on wood board with black gesso, which I think helps the color pop.</div>
Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-78058285419707903682013-11-10T15:04:00.000-05:002014-12-24T13:21:24.598-05:00Pier Fishers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWs87a_Kmg97qPbmQvskw-axOfQHSh8jmUS1Pj25qITH86RgRj0aaTFLI1lML6OXEGtCSGCHcVItbi05jLKqPSNCPpvGo1jcpHT9dOpCpd7AWbv0uJG-frs88Flx6WzJcG8F0Kedl8LM/s1600/Pier_Fishers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWs87a_Kmg97qPbmQvskw-axOfQHSh8jmUS1Pj25qITH86RgRj0aaTFLI1lML6OXEGtCSGCHcVItbi05jLKqPSNCPpvGo1jcpHT9dOpCpd7AWbv0uJG-frs88Flx6WzJcG8F0Kedl8LM/s320/Pier_Fishers.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pier Fishers", 6x6", oil on board</td></tr>
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Walking the beach past Avon Pier in NC this year, we witnessed a group of fishermen catching and pulling up a large red drum in a net. This one was too large to keep, but an impressive beauty. The colors and action of these guys and the fish with the turning sea below was fun to paint; a nice start back to painting. This year has been a busy one and unfortunately my painting practice has been limited. Fresh from a much needed break on the Outer Banks, I have new material and renewed inspiration. Paint on.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-45350218779561648792013-01-03T14:24:00.000-05:002013-01-04T18:56:08.946-05:002013 Calendar<span style="color: #383131;">Happy New Year! It's time for a new calendar...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #383131;">Over this last year, I had gotten some inquires about calendars. So, I spent some time researching good options for self publication. I couldn't seem to find a perfect fit. I gave up the search for while then came across Magcloud on Carol Marine's Painting a Day blog. Magcloud is an HP website offering publishing on demand so there is no minimal order required. Also a plus, no deposit or down payment is required so your only investment are hours spent on layout and design (by all means, I don't mean to diminish the value of that). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #383131;">So I am proud to announce my 2013 Calendars for sale via the link below. This calendar has selected pieces from my Trees series. It is a perfect way to get affordable small prints of these paintings. I hope you enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/493813/follow" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;"><b>Trees: 2013 Calendar</b> </span></a></span></span><br />
<br />Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-8435836809345004472012-11-13T11:08:00.000-05:002012-11-13T11:08:42.891-05:00Stars and Stripes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj111MehCrs73OCA790j6cjSVIj9ughCgOiMAYlgL7D-9k8MTcyuGo6zU-0xX_nvpBK76TgyyrLx8Kl8SaMYSSHNvI2zzEghCsrErYVxPiZYe5A0YdtEJj9emX2EKI2bZtTA4Ggdfipxfw/s1600/Stars.and.Stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj111MehCrs73OCA790j6cjSVIj9ughCgOiMAYlgL7D-9k8MTcyuGo6zU-0xX_nvpBK76TgyyrLx8Kl8SaMYSSHNvI2zzEghCsrErYVxPiZYe5A0YdtEJj9emX2EKI2bZtTA4Ggdfipxfw/s320/Stars.and.Stripes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Stars and Stripes', 8x10", oil on canvas</td></tr>
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A piece from our stay on the Outer Banks. Our fifteen year old lab, Samantha sunning herself on the deck next to drying starfish. We were on the island during hurricane Sandy, a slow moving storm which blew for three days. In the days following, quite a bit of starfish and conch shells were washed on the beach, which unfortunately was the least of post storm happenings. Fishing was good and no person injured, but a lot of island infrastructure was damaged. Highway 12, the only way on and off the island was washed away just south of Oregon Inlet. The folks down there or our state as a whole rather, is faced with rebuilding and searching for solutions to what had become an annual problem. I painted this post storm. Seeing Samantha, resting in the sun next to the stars with the shadows from the railing draped across the deck, gave me a sense of peace.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-49280186372208430382012-10-08T14:04:00.000-04:002012-10-08T14:04:29.089-04:0048 by 60 Sycamore: Completed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1OqKh6TJxudjgHBk0Dsn7bDseQFTj58pA7FPjY0Iti4elVB26XChhNTsXjIQQFCxwRE3KQNfdgzwiQJ3Va_bRPlJtUHfRcVMrpkoq6Tob3U3Kn1wNsbTvv_Qgyw0oxCZEfI-aoRjqYc/s1600/48by60_SYC_final.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1OqKh6TJxudjgHBk0Dsn7bDseQFTj58pA7FPjY0Iti4elVB26XChhNTsXjIQQFCxwRE3KQNfdgzwiQJ3Va_bRPlJtUHfRcVMrpkoq6Tob3U3Kn1wNsbTvv_Qgyw0oxCZEfI-aoRjqYc/s320/48by60_SYC_final.sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed commission piece</td></tr>
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Here it is: 48 by 60 inch Sycamore is complete and I am scheduled to deliver it to it's new home this week. I am celebrating by starting a new piece and will post what's on my easel before week's end. Happy painting!Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-88867444084886797262012-09-24T21:51:00.000-04:002012-09-24T21:54:00.963-04:0048 By 60 Sycamore Process: Layering Sky & Shadows<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOAweKaEN5RNQZWowntgSMil-vzEMO6ixWxc1pJysX1ZpJVVHYJItCWt7cl6main-tcbEiv7UT8nmMXNtTzodg2PNihUneMmIkzmO-rdPuFvs6zZP1vkM4p6KdBJLi9dMFcm71E76I84/s1600/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOAweKaEN5RNQZWowntgSMil-vzEMO6ixWxc1pJysX1ZpJVVHYJItCWt7cl6main-tcbEiv7UT8nmMXNtTzodg2PNihUneMmIkzmO-rdPuFvs6zZP1vkM4p6KdBJLi9dMFcm71E76I84/s320/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layering the Sky with Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Violet and Titanium White</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtdPjPVVolOIMHDPYyg0hukb1o_-Kc7XnIRKNlC5Bw54LOPYZNJFRNw121JSbzDYHhGYy4qYwle5I416m16JaL_00XPh6nXb9yRq5fke5BZEZeY27HMuk_koATdby0LUS8-MtEpRlCWI/s1600/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtdPjPVVolOIMHDPYyg0hukb1o_-Kc7XnIRKNlC5Bw54LOPYZNJFRNw121JSbzDYHhGYy4qYwle5I416m16JaL_00XPh6nXb9yRq5fke5BZEZeY27HMuk_koATdby0LUS8-MtEpRlCWI/s200/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Process Detail 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIElqLjMaL6IFRXa2600jcVjtGyRdQrqgIZfFbiKGDNDB1NwyUXVealeDnwaguTipae05UsDkgN3KSjsOL2L0Dr2DRioY49fXgkP1U8LFyEGLJlztOAINdlTN5JKQQyePdU_rzSk3GNuI/s1600/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIElqLjMaL6IFRXa2600jcVjtGyRdQrqgIZfFbiKGDNDB1NwyUXVealeDnwaguTipae05UsDkgN3KSjsOL2L0Dr2DRioY49fXgkP1U8LFyEGLJlztOAINdlTN5JKQQyePdU_rzSk3GNuI/s200/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Process Detail 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8qoCZJHF4PKrI8uqOqOtq6Cs0CwzCwG8Z5dLzMLDuQSnXQPLMmt5wDG1aKZ2FWKFP8B4URTKq4q3C31yl4v2PeRS5FheQ1S5uQebkxaxzDLlxQHXblTn8oMWgIExacnZPYugxl-TU9Q/s1600/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8qoCZJHF4PKrI8uqOqOtq6Cs0CwzCwG8Z5dLzMLDuQSnXQPLMmt5wDG1aKZ2FWKFP8B4URTKq4q3C31yl4v2PeRS5FheQ1S5uQebkxaxzDLlxQHXblTn8oMWgIExacnZPYugxl-TU9Q/s200/48by60_SYC_sky.layer2.detail.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Process Detail 3</td></tr>
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Layering the sky trying to capture a smooth value change of deep blue on top to pale blue below. Also, I have started working in shadows among the branches using Cobalt Blue and Phthalo Green Blue, which I think is a nice push of color on top of the Van Dyke Brown wash. My medium is not quite half & half linseed oil:stand oil as I have a little more linseed cut into the mix. It's starting to come together and I am heading into my favorite part of the process; detailing.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-78391448671453635092012-09-14T10:02:00.000-04:002012-09-14T10:02:47.439-04:0048 by 60 Sycamore Process: Under Painting <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUTHKP6l7Of6RO6md6hxC4pnYBYsjxikRUDXGCVbfmstsyqAV2X1Nzgc1zYPcMKP-SooW6p_gB74qjqDdZYsBZkQWKGu5OeF4HejtH67iWn3WlcVWhNw5xRet6FJXPN-acD6ULjsfPqQ/s1600/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUTHKP6l7Of6RO6md6hxC4pnYBYsjxikRUDXGCVbfmstsyqAV2X1Nzgc1zYPcMKP-SooW6p_gB74qjqDdZYsBZkQWKGu5OeF4HejtH67iWn3WlcVWhNw5xRet6FJXPN-acD6ULjsfPqQ/s320/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonal under layer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-jqplN21KHRU-vYSiV_IoIvD3LRIQf5yp3ae0qdj0KkORCvg8QFJ6wUK-WguZPayqPQGbTKSppBuvouS3FIGqiZcNyHe78eofpRzVwx1zEXYyezhoWNcReLMLjyWz9qIcEr0NRfFzTU/s1600/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-jqplN21KHRU-vYSiV_IoIvD3LRIQf5yp3ae0qdj0KkORCvg8QFJ6wUK-WguZPayqPQGbTKSppBuvouS3FIGqiZcNyHe78eofpRzVwx1zEXYyezhoWNcReLMLjyWz9qIcEr0NRfFzTU/s320/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of tonal under layer </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULQUzQCb3MDIRAfpcf6ISLa8UTzAndoFmG6zd4L-okPqpiCbnVNwMyrtzR_c8IEkWl17v-qokxxAm8oJm-Lw0ywnUE7oBC06NNq-O49fG3CKPAHvklkKZHrN7tG0GM4RPbv-N28jlmqo/s1600/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULQUzQCb3MDIRAfpcf6ISLa8UTzAndoFmG6zd4L-okPqpiCbnVNwMyrtzR_c8IEkWl17v-qokxxAm8oJm-Lw0ywnUE7oBC06NNq-O49fG3CKPAHvklkKZHrN7tG0GM4RPbv-N28jlmqo/s320/48by60_SYC_tonal.underlayer.sky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree and sky under painting</td></tr>
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Starting with Burnt Sienna, Van dyke Brown & Raw Umber on my palette, I worked over the graphite sketch creating a tonal layer. At this point I am using straight refined linseed oil as my medium. I have used straight Turpinoid as a medium for this primary layer in the past, but after reading <a href="http://www.sadievaleri.com/painting-materials/" target="_blank">Sadie Valeri's </a>blog it seems it's better used for cleaning brushes than as a straight medium. By the way, I've never met Sadie, I found her painting school/studio site while surfing for techniques. Ah, the magic of the internet. The sky is Ultramarine Blue. Not really tonal, maybe a little Pop Art like. Chalk it up to "artist license".<br />
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I can't say that this is how I approach all paintings. I seem hardwired to what a former professor called a "global thinker". Reading between the lines; I'm messy and often take different routes to get the same means. Takes all kinds to make the world go around. Paint on.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-46934110593575801472012-09-12T09:07:00.000-04:002012-09-12T09:07:09.936-04:00Process for 48 by 60 inch Sycamore Painting<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKD4zDMJMFWNGuk4x2JRgLAoV3o8wsC1AbPGZyBDgB5hO_JE0Pk9z3paGxMvanSMbsZnycbT31pVlNgydiDZKXtwQZvLawiwEYHpC8aggWy_I1ODIXM1i1ZsWpfEoSZLvVXKqy7HPDEWI/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKD4zDMJMFWNGuk4x2JRgLAoV3o8wsC1AbPGZyBDgB5hO_JE0Pk9z3paGxMvanSMbsZnycbT31pVlNgydiDZKXtwQZvLawiwEYHpC8aggWy_I1ODIXM1i1ZsWpfEoSZLvVXKqy7HPDEWI/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">48x60 inch gallery wrapped canvas crafted by Gary Grubbs, Black Mountain, NC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJforbDexrJqTxxD6f-_1cDrZrXS10c8zAUalPXnkLDVBOIF60rkV4XpAPaNRdYyks1KsC47QrQjPDLSTUifTFqH1UCASzmkQf8ktBeqh4tAdGQpyqA4WxKZC5Lz0Ey_P4GhFJJYibHE/s1600/48by60_SYC_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJforbDexrJqTxxD6f-_1cDrZrXS10c8zAUalPXnkLDVBOIF60rkV4XpAPaNRdYyks1KsC47QrQjPDLSTUifTFqH1UCASzmkQf8ktBeqh4tAdGQpyqA4WxKZC5Lz0Ey_P4GhFJJYibHE/s320/48by60_SYC_sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1:50 scale drawing for 48x60 inch Sycamore painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkENwALS8kEGw-OSAx1aaxOEcuMKYZzCTt_Vs9ccXctnYtK3KbsQ9lacsYsqXpwSu2QU25c81fwVHNX_ZQs5sHVEA2A8NLTRc_KmwiFiMmEO7N77yESeKCAwvYmwDSoyiua49dwhFxIYw/s1600/48by60_SYC_to_canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkENwALS8kEGw-OSAx1aaxOEcuMKYZzCTt_Vs9ccXctnYtK3KbsQ9lacsYsqXpwSu2QU25c81fwVHNX_ZQs5sHVEA2A8NLTRc_KmwiFiMmEO7N77yESeKCAwvYmwDSoyiua49dwhFxIYw/s320/48by60_SYC_to_canvas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a grid; free hand graphite sketch onto canvas</td></tr>
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Currently on my easel is a 48 by 60 inch canvas, my largest piece to date. I have fallen in love with the sketch, thrilled to be working large again and trucking along with this commissioned piece. I will be posting more process images in the coming days, so stay tuned... <br />
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I want to plug the work of craftsman and neighbor Gary Grubbs, maker of custom art canvasses. He crafted this canvas and a few other sizes for me last week. The frames are kiln dried to %5 (preventing warping), gallery wrapped fine tooth canvasses with a triple gesso application. I found Gary going through the archives of Ursula Gullow's blog 'Art Seen Asheville'<a href="http://artseenasheville.blogspot.com/2011/03/locally-made-art-canvases.html" target="_blank"> here.</a> Gary is kind, does quality work (at affordable prices) and is happy to share a bear story or two. He can be reached at (828) 669-5562. <br />
<br />Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412313240496417905.post-63703813259675704272012-01-18T08:00:00.001-05:002012-01-18T08:00:11.426-05:00Sketch for Water Series<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Hho6-v5AovLGRtYbgCzK7n_Oj3MgZBp1mrnqHo09m2lcmuL20QcTzX3W4BtFezOECubWqv1wYFqHAM7MLEV0QU3kH5yvx1kEP3d9kyDqHGYss2bmDVpAGp1DAcOhHDYJyQ-0a5wzbrY/s1600/Sketch_Little_Falls_Glenn_Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Hho6-v5AovLGRtYbgCzK7n_Oj3MgZBp1mrnqHo09m2lcmuL20QcTzX3W4BtFezOECubWqv1wYFqHAM7MLEV0QU3kH5yvx1kEP3d9kyDqHGYss2bmDVpAGp1DAcOhHDYJyQ-0a5wzbrY/s320/Sketch_Little_Falls_Glenn_Creek.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch for Little Falls on Glenn Creek, graphite on paper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have been busy with a new series focused on water. I am working with smaller pieces on board, layering colors, building thin to fat. Previously, I worked oils solely with linseed oil or way back with only turpinoid. Now using a thin base layer cut with turpinoid and subsequent layers cut with turpinoid/linseed or linseed. This means starting a number of pieces together to allow a bit of drying time. The change in approach keeps me moving with sketching and planning. A good discipline.Rachel Klecker Clegghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13520437801453347846noreply@blogger.com0