Noice Studio

What I Like

Warm, cool. Light, dark. Hard edge, soft edge. After years of art making I’ve reached the conclusion that four elements are almost essential to my work. That’s not to say every painting must have all of those four elements! This pastel on black paper exhibits three of the four. Thick, thin will have to wait until I’ve put away my pastels and have a brush-load of oil paint in hand.

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

Fall, Creekside
Pastel on Paper
22x22" Framed

Homemade

Jackie and I planted three ash trees in our west pasture 20 years ago. Wow! Those two decades flew by quickly! The trees will be lots of shade for some horses in a generation or two. In the meantime they provide me with homemade inspiration. Nice bonus.

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

Ash Grove
Pastel on Paper
22x22" Framed

How to Begin

Inspiration is great, but what if you can’t find it? One of the challenges every artist faces is how to get a painting started. I’ll share my tried and true techniques and demonstrate how I get things off and running in pastel and oil painting.

Join me for a gallery talk and demonstration at M. A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa, Saturday, April 25, 1:30-2:30.

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

-

We’re down to just five for days of riding the ski lifts at Big Mountain. Starting next week we’ll have to walk up in order to ski down. Looks like we’re in for an early spring here in northwest Montana.

Here’s a painting from a few years ago inspired by the softer colors and softer light we enjoy this time of year. So much of what I do simply requires me to keep my eyes open!

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

Spring Gulch
Oil on Canvas
36x48"

Warm Light Behind

When I’m close to bringing a painting to the finish line I like to take a long, careful look. After years of painting, and years of looking at paintings, I recognize four elements that I’ve come to recognize as important if not essential for me. Those four are: thick paint against thin paint, warm colors next to cool colors, light against dark, and soft edge next to hard edge. Even on a tiny painting like this they make things work for my eye.

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

Warm Light Behind
Oil on Canvas
12x12"

Small is Beautiful

I believe it’s never an unwise decision for anyone involved in a creative endeavor to, from time to time, get out of their comfort zone and see what happens! I’ve taken a leap out of my comfort zone recently by beginning work on paintings for an upcoming small works show at Ventana Fine Art. I love to paint big! These new paintings are a mere 12 inches by 12 inches. We’ll see if I can confirm the well travelled saying “small is beautiful.”

Let's keep in touch,

Marshall

Small Works
Oil on Canvas
12x12"