Life Abstracted

My Biggest Fan

2012-01-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

Thispast week I lost my biggest fan and supporter of my art. Lostas well,a boon companion, best friend, wife and lover. Diva always encouraged me andallowed those around her the space and time alone to do their work and growwith it. A very private woman, she loved her work as a reference librarian forHillsboro Public Library , doing reader advisory and buying all the lastedliterature, fiction and bestsellers. That was how we met over 30 years ago, Igot to know the lady who ordered the books I liked to read. This was before the internet, personalcomputers, we still used a card catalog. She loved the arts, music of all sortsfrom bluegrass to classical, and always books and reading. During thelast 15 years she began gardening and learning about perennials. Where ever wetraveled we would visit the museums, parks, and gardens in the area.

Her daughter Cindywas grown and gone when we got together, and my daughter was 5 or so. I thinkDiva’s influence helped lead to Alyssa’s career in public libraries during thetime Alissa spent with us on those weekends and summer vacations. I know Diva's many friends in Hillsboro,the library, and her artists friends will miss her steady presence, cheerful smile,and hands willing to help all who ask.

This blog is mainlyabout my art and its creation; but far less art would be created without thesupport and belief from the Diva's in this world.

My wish is for all of you to have and cherish their personalDiva.

This is a painting Idid for her four years ago when she was battling cancer. I wanted to capture her spirit in goodtimes.

Japanese Garden Summer, 7x5 Acrylic on Canvas Panel.

For anyone readingthis who wants to honor Diva, make a contribution in her name to one of herfour favorite foundations:

Library Foundation ofHillsboro

Oregon Food Bank

SOLV

DoveLewis EmergencyAnimal Hospital

I’ll return to myregular programming in the near future.

Good Night Moon

2012-01-07T17:29:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Nouvel Anee, Acrylic on Paper, 7x7

I was just outside and the full moon was glowing in a twilight sky, hence the post title. I spent most of the days painting time working on the larger painting for LO reads show. It is at the awkward stage but it should be ready for a viewing tomorrow. This was finished while things were drying and is the last of my starts from Monday. I was again trying for that festive fresh start mood and i thought a french title would be good.

If you are interested in any images that have bee shown just email me at Bruce at BruceUlrich dot com.

Mimosa Me

2012-01-06T14:05:00.000-08:00

Mimosa Me, 7x5 Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Using the left over bottle from New Years Eve and a clementine on top of a flute glass, to start this mornings painting adventure. The festivities of the New Year just keep on giving. Feel free to share with your friends. I am back to the easel to work on my painting for the Lake O reads show.

Bubbles for the New Year

2012-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

New Years Bubbles, 7x7 Acrylic on Paper

One of a similar pair finished this morning. The yellow and orange lines began from the leftover paint I mixed doing the first painting of this year,I liked the colors so much that several starts ;of happy, joyful, celebratory lines and marks were made on several empty papers. These starts are worked on in sort intense sessions between work on larger paintings and or as warm-ups in the mornings. Each set or series is eventually deemed finished. The beginning is an idea or color or design strategy that I wand to practice and explore. In this case I think the colors are joyful and I wanted to express the energy and festivity of a New Year.

Enjoy this and feel free to share it with your friends.

Study for Mink River

2012-01-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

A study for Mink River, 7x7 Acrylic Mixed media on paper

This is the best of several studies I worked on today to try out design and motif thoughts for a painting that I need to finish for the Lake Oswego Reads celebration. The book is Mink River,by Brian Doyle and is a very good read; based on a fictional Oregon coastal town, full of beautiful language and imagery. It's hard not to be to literal when he has such vivid descriptive passages. I hope to abstract or symbolize Mr. Doyle's characters and themes. How to paint TIME and its changeable elusive nature, that's one of my goals and challenges.

Let me know what you think.

Early Morning Sky

2012-01-03T15:25:00.000-08:00

5:30AM Studio Sky1/3/12, 7x7 Acrylic on Paper

Portland Sky 5:30AM1/3/12 7x7 Acrylic on Paper

Here are two versions of todays painting: the color of the sky in the top 2/3rds with the bottom an abstraction of the studioand the joy and chaos of an earlier morning start I must confess I stole the design idea from Katherine Chang Liu a wonderful artist residing in California. You can see her work here.

If you are interested in either painting please email me at Bruce at BruceUlrich.com

Thanks for looking and please feel free to share this with a friend.

All images © Bruce Ulrich unless otherwise stated.

Palette Knife

2012-01-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

Knife& Cup, 6x6 Acrylic on Canvas

Another small painting to start your New Year off. this one is done from life. I wanted to practice water and what happens to objexts when they are refracted by it. Off to catch the Rose Bowl, go Oregon.

Feel free to share this post.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Ecosse, 6x6 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas ©Bruce Ulrich

This is the first painting of 2012 for me and is in a way a tribute to Helen Frankenthaler, who died last week. She was a very good abstract painter, first brought controlled pours of thinned paint onto raw canvas to create her lyrical abstracts. You can read more Here and Here.

I began this one with a pour of colors to express my delight in the "champagne" a Brut Rosé by Ecosse I enjoyed last night.

Start your New Year right by emailing me your offer for this original painting. The opening bid is $20 and I will close the auction at midnight PST on January 3. The email is Bruce at BruceUlrich dot com. Please share this with your friends.

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Happy Boxing Day

2011-12-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Oceans Eleven, Acrylic on Matt Board, 20x20 $600 © Bruce Ulrich

This is a new painting loaded with layers and many less exciting images buried in the paint. I hope everyone is enjoying a happy family filled holiday. Thanks for all the support and feed back from both of the folks who read these posts. enjoy a safe and productive New Year.

Please feel free to share with your friends and leave a comment.

The Twelfth Day and a Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

Small Blues and Yellows,6”x6” Acrylic Mixed Media on canvas, © Bruce Ulrich

The last painting of the 12 leading up to Christmas is from my Terroir' series offered today for $20 plus $5 for S&H. The first one to email me at Bruce at BruceUlrich.com will get to enjoy this painting for many Christmases to come. My thanks to those who joined me on this blog may you have a safe and very Merry Christmas and a good New Year.

Thanks for looking and please share this with your friends.

Eleventh Day of Christmas

2011-12-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

Half Glass, 6”x6” Acrylic Mixed Media on canvas, © Bruce Ulrich

For my wine drinking friends this is from my ongoing wine series and is offered today for $20 plus $5 for S&H. The first one to email me at Bruce at BruceUlrich.com will get to enjoy this painting for many Christmases to come. Cheers!