Respect Delayed: The life of Charles Ethan Porter [1847-1920]

The paintings of Charles Ethan Porter have been rediscovered by patrons eager to explore the work of Connecticut artists. The first major retrospective of his work was in 1987. The current show at the New Britain Museum of American Art began January 12 and continues through March 16, 2008. The accompanying catalogue is exceptional, both for the wealth of information and the quality of the reproductions.

Green Jar & Lemons close up

"Marsh: St. Bernard, oil, 8 x 6 inches

This painting is being shown in the February group show at Jean Bragg Gallery, 600 Julia St. in New Orleans.  For more information, please contact the gallery at 504-895-7375.  The show "Smalls for the Walls" begins Feb. 9 and will be shown through the end of the month.

Jean Bragg Gallery is a beautiful, spacious gallery in New Orleans Arts District, with a distinct Arts and Crafts period flavor, showing original Sadie Irvine watercolors and Newcomb pottery.

They also have published outstanding catalogues, including "Painting the Town", a study of the Woodward brothers whose wonderful paintings and teaching style  have linked them indelibly with New Orleans great contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement.  For more info, go to www.jeanbragg.com.

Second version of "Green Jar & Lemons

This is the midway version of this painting. Some of the darks have dropped out and will need to be reinforced. After careful thought, I wiped out the day's work on the silver creamer. The highlights were too high and the modeling looked too grayed -out to my eye. Sometimes the best thing is to wait a few days and come back with a fresh eye. 

"Two Roses" 8 x 7 inches, oil on canvas

This painting is currently showing at the Jean Bragg Gallery at 600 Julia St. in New Orleans. Please contact the gallery at 504-895-7375 for more information or go to http://www.jeanbragg.com.

Details and Adjustments:"Green Jar & Lemons"

Here are some close-ups, showing more of this painting's details. Again, this is the tempera underpainting.  A coat of varnish will slightly darken this, so the work will be to retain the light and airy feeling as I work in oils, which was the original intent.

"Green Jar & Lemons"

egg tempera under painting on linen, 16 x 20 inches.

This is a preparatory underpainting. It has been painted entirely with egg tempera on a prepared tempera ground. Egg tempera thins with water and will not adhere to acrylic  or oil gesso priming.  The ground used for this painting is a traditional tempera sizing, consisting of rabbit skin glue, whiting, and titanium white pigment. Tempera requires a firm surface, such as wood or masonite. While working in this medium, you can change the composition as much as is required. When the final version is satisfactory, brush with a thin  coat of shellac to isolate the underpainting and finish with oils. 

Future updates to follow.....

Satsuma and Apricots

12 x 16 inch, oil on canvas