Winter

February is my least favorite month of the year. I am tired of the winter already and can't wait for warmer days. A time when I do not mind turning into a hermit for a while and totally concentrate on painting. I started working on a new series and plan to inaugurate them with an open studio reception later, maybe in April or May. Two large paintings are finished already and several others are well underway. I am quite excited about it, not thinking about anything else for the moment, hence why there are less frequent posts to this blog. Below, I am in my studio playing with my devoted mate Paolo, during a relaxing moment.
Now back to work.

Adios La Esmeralda

The link Vacation Rental on the Arris Studio website has disappeared last week. Villa La Esmeralda is no longer available. It has been sold. Here is a last look on a project that I have fully enjoyed working on and hope to be able to repeat in the near future. For before and after pictures, go to Arris Style.

Windswept Coast

In this painting the canvas is divided in two areas split along the horizontal middle. The top half shows bands of clouds obscuring the sun, the bottom half is a windswept beach. On the distant horizon are a row of buildings and a pier leading into the receding sea.

Coast oil on linen 36" X 36" Chris De Dier

Remember Slides?

My paintings evolve from photographs taken during travel, trips, hikes... or sometimes sent to me by family and friends. Thanks to computer technology my bank of pictures has grown tremendously and I no longer feel deprived of subject matter or serious lack of inspiration for most of the time. Everything I need at any moment is available at the push of a button. No more waiting for film development or to order prints. I have control over the size, color, brightness, contrast, etc. of those images. There are certainly advantages to computers that I would hate to miss.

Those photos are not copied literally. There are certain aspects that form the base of the paintings, but I will change the colors, alter the composition or add/delete certain things. Once a panting is started, it takes its own course.