LAVENDER SEAS - To Animal

[racin-jason]

This painting I warmly dedicate to my friend Animal - for always being there with considerate comments and help when I needed it.

Lavender Seas was another quick practice render in preparation for a commission. It was - as are all my paintings - a Mixed-Media, and done on an 8" X 11" illustration board. The commissioned piece was also Mixed-Media, but rendered on a 30" X 40" board.

The painting is based on the area where I live in southern British Columbia Canada. We are blessed with frequent sightings of these Orcas as they make their way on migratory runs between Alaska and just south of San Diego.

For reasons not known, these gorgeous and graceful creatures enter Howe Sound, an inlet not on their regular run, and can be seen frolicking, playing, sounding, or just swimming on the surface.

As a lover of both wildlife and sunsets, I decided to present these killer whales in a more placid and peaceful setting, so Lavender Seas was the result.

Dedicated to my friend Animal - but for the enjoyment (I hope) of all viewers.

Jason

[racin-jason]

Here's a closer view

[racin-jason]

another close-up view

[animal]

Thank you Jason. This painting is AWESOME! I especially like how you have done the sky and the orcas.I also like the colours you have used.I went to a seminar on orcas by someone from the Vancouver Aquarium telling us all the different sounds and different types of orcas. Have you ever seen the Kermode Bear(Spirit Bear)?? They also live in British Columbia on Princess Royal Island. Would love to paint some oneday.:clap: :clap: Thanks for posting some close-ups. :clap:

[auntie_chaos]

Love the feel to this one Jason!! Animal's a lucky ... er ... um ... animal to have you dedicate this to him. :) :D Thanx yet again for sharing yet another masterpiece and also the story behind it!
:clap: :clap: :clap:

[animal]

Here is a link to listen to live whales(during certain months)
:clap: :clap:Whale Sounds (http://www.whalelink.org/orcafm.html)

[racin-jason]

Hello Animal my friend;

Glad you approve, but my only regret is that the painting wasn't done originally for you...maybe next year...I'll do a quick one specifically for you and post it.

Orcas are such magnificent and surprisingly intelligent creatures, and do appear to have a very private communicational language of chirps and clicks.

I'm not at all familiar with the "Kermode Bear" but perhaps you could e-mail me a photo or twelve...might make a good painting for both of us to tackle.

Here's a great joke I found:

The Colorado State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, and golfers to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears while in the Dillon, Breckenridge, and Keystone area.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the bears unexpectedly.

They also advise you to carry pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear activity.

People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings.

Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur.

Grizzly bear droppings have bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

Ain't that just a laugh? :D :rolleyes: :clap: :cat:

See ya round Animal

You's friend Jason

[racin-jason]

My special lady friend Cheryl;

MASTERPIECE?? My goodness, you are far too generous with your comments. I don't think I've EVER painted what I'd even dare assume was a 'masterpiece'. Don't get me wrong Cheryl, I always have my heart massaged by your wonderful thoughts and offerings of approval for my art, and I thank-you for this one as well. I am very fortunate to have you as a friend - very honored.

Much affection to you and the family.

Nerdy Jason :cat: :cat:

[wendee]

this is stunning Jason..the sky is simply awesome...:D :D

[auntie_chaos]

Jason ... to me it's a masterpiece anyways!! :)
Love the funny you put on the message to Animal ... am sending it off to my brother - he'll love it!! :D

[racin-jason]

Ahhh my friend from Oz Wendee!

Your comments (always appreciated) warm me immensely. I do love skies and especially moody ones. I really dislike painting a plain blue sky, as pretty as they are, they convey little in drama in a painting. In real life of course, with all our senses at play, a blue sky is a true joy.

Thanks again Wendee

Much warmth n respect

Jason

P.S. I checked out that animation Site, but darn, you got the only real art-related clip, guess they think men are to manly to want one of them....sigh! :confused: :( :rolleyes:

[Patrick1]

Hi Jason. This has a very, very quiet, soothing and tranquil feel. One thing I find about good artists is that they can make subdued (greyed) colors look much more colorful than they are. This painting does just that. Did you make greys by mixing compliments or by using pre-tubed greys?

The sky is great. Can I assume that the ray of light was done in oil? I did one painting in acrylic and they ray of light was very rough and scratchy because acrylic just doesn't
blend as softly as oils. (I'll try again sometime...maybe with a drier brush with only a tiny tiny bit of paint and maybe a bit of paint retarder in the brush.)

[racin-jason]

The true 'masterpiece' around here Cheryl, is thou and your heart of pure gold!

Thank-you beyond measure

Your friend always

Jason

[racin-jason]

Hi again Patrick;

Tranquil and soothing are wonderful feelings to experience, more so that you experience them from viewing my artwork...thank-you my friend.

Concerning the grays (grey) you speak of: As all my paintings are Mixed-Media Patrick, the process used has a kind of magical effect on colors applied in layers - each separated by an application of Krylon, mat, plastic spray. I neither use pre-mixed gray's other than Paynes Gray, but even then, muted by either another color or by the solvent applicable to the medium, i.e.: water for acrylics, and Linseed Oil for oils.

The ray of light eminating through the painting is achieved in a fast application of watered down acylic applied only near the sun, then rubbed gently in downward strokes with a dry cloth, until only a hint of the applied wash is visible. This method allows the background colors to still show through, giving the ray a true transparent look and feel.

Retarder is a nasty invention for acrylics, (in my humble opinion) as it's a gel that interferes with the pigment's bonding to the surface, and when dry, can flake off later.

Hope that helps Patrick, but do remember it takes a little practice.
I've been painting this way for many years, but my first experiments were nothing short of hideous...lol.

Much respect

Jason :cat:

[Jan-Michael]

jason... this is so soft ...so gentle and so lovely....

[racin-jason]

My dear friend Jan-Michael;

May your dreams and aspirations reach far beyond your expectations, and may the advancement and passing of another year be filled with triple the joy from all the best you found last year.

You're not another year older my friend, but another year wiser and another year more experienced in the wealth of kindness you formerly possessed in abundance.

Thank-you as always for your gentle thoughts and constant inspiration.

Your friend in life

Jason

[Emsal]

Can always count on you to make the most of every hue of colour, J. A treat for sore eyes!

[racin-jason]

Warmth and joy to you Emsal;

What a wonderful thing to say, I am truly honored by your comment on my usage of colors. Thanks again.

Jason