Monday, January 9, 2012

Sun and Wind - Jed




This 14" x 11" oil on canvas portrait was my entry in the 2011 Gamblin Artist Materials Torit Grey Competition.

In a nutshell, every spring, Gamblin collects pigments from their Torit® Air Filtration system. They filter the air around the areas where dry pigments are handled so workers are not exposed to pigment dust. Rather than sending any of the high quality, expensive pigments into the landfill, Gamblin paint makers recycle them into "Gamblin Torrit Grey". Each spring in a Torrit Grey store promotion, through the end of April in celebration of Earth Day, participating retailers give customers a free tube of Torit Grey.

This year my special tube was mailed to me by my dear artist friend Zena King. She is fortunate enough to live near Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, N.C. You may see all entries including Zena's and mine in the Gallery.

I am happy with the painting and grandson loves it and, while it was not one of the four top winners, all participants received a nice letter from Gamblin's Product Manager along with three 37ml tubes of paint and nice color brochures indroducing their oil paint colors and mediums. Since there is no entry fee - this is a win-win challenge!

21 comments:

  1. What a handsome grandson! I love how you've got the light on one side of his face (and the eyelashes are perfection!), Rosemary. I've heard of this Torit Gray before, but believe it or not, I've not seen it (nor have I looked, sadly enough). Your work is always just perfectly exquisite.

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  2. Sherry, thank you! Why don't you pick up a tube of Torit Grey before the end of April and paint for the next competition! You enjoy challenges and this is a good one! You know how much I appreciate your comments!

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  3. Wow Suzanne! You just made my day! Thank you!!

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  4. Oh my gosh, Rosemary!!! This is an awesome piece..love the light and shadows SO much! Excellent...Excellent work.

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  5. Thank you Hilda!!! Really appreciate your sweet comments!!

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  6. How could this not be THE winner, such a WOW painting. Looks like you had a great subject to work with as well!

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  7. A wonderful portrait, Rosemary, so real!Bravo!

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  8. This is an absolutely gorgeous piece,Rosemary, and I would have voted for it as First Place! I love the story about the pigment, too. Neat competition.

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  9. Ha Ann! Did you see the number of entries and some fabulous pieces! Yes - grandsons are special models! Thanks so much!

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  10. Sylviane and Mary - I really appreciate your sweet comments! Thanks to both of you!

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  11. Interesting. The backstory and the painting.
    Not only did you produce a sensitive rendering, you probably had "fun" analyzing the grays application. It's a challenge, right? Color is a challenge, but gray so much more.
    Love this!

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  12. Thanks Ruth - This piece was mostly "fun" but sometimes I stressed to the max! Was a great exercise and I hope to participate again in this year's challenge. You should give it a go!

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  13. Bravo et toutes mes félicitations...
    Je vous remercie pour votre gentil commentaire laissé sur mon blog.
    Je viens de passer un agréable moment en compagnie du vôtre...
    Je reviendrai pour une prochaine promenade.
    Gros bisous

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    1. Martine, thanks for your sweet comments on the painting and on the blog! So glad you visited - hope you will return often!

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  14. The portrait is really gorgeous, you created such great light on his face, and the work on his hair is fabulous!

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    1. Oh my goodness, Jane! Thank you so much - working with values is a challenge indeed and your comments are appreciated!

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  15. Love the portrait, so much more expressive without color.

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  16. Diana, I admire your work more than I can say and for you to have visited my blog and complimented the portrait just made my day! Thank you!

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  17. This is a really wonderful portrait Rosemary. I plan to try doing a painting using the Torrit Grey this year. It's such an innovative way for Gamblin to use "trash" and it's amazing how many beautiful paintings are submitted to the contest.

    It's been awhile since I've checked the blogs I follow and I'm really impressed with all of the good paintings you've produced.

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  18. Wow, this is incredible work, Rosemary! Very impressive.

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