Two Gulls
watercolor 20x26" matted and framed,
$500.
I was with a group of plein air painters
at beautiful Brenton Point, Newport,
Rhode Island on a somewhat stormy
morning. As I unloaded my watercolor
materials, these two gulls landed very
close by. Due to the weather, I wasn't
sure I'd have time do any seascape, let
alone a portrait these birds, but the two
of them stayed perfectly still, as if
posing, long enough to get a
likeness--though admittedly from the
feathery tail end.
Jazz at Chan's
relief print 8x10" image, 16x20"
matted and framed $200.
This is an original, limited edition print,
enhanced with pen and ink. First, the
drawing is etched into a printmaking
plate with a sharp grooved
woodworking tool. Then, the carved
plate is lightly inked all across its
surface. Printmaking paper is placed
over the inked plate and rubbed with
the heel of my hand to leave an
impression. The last step is to add pen
and ink over the white un-inked lines of
the print. A long and, I hope, not too
confusing explanation of how a
perfomance I saw at a jazz club and
restaurant well known in Rhode Island
became a memory preserved.
Nude Facing Away
charcoal drawing 16x20" image,
26x20" matted and framed $200.
This charcoal drawing was done
during a figure/ life studio session. I
believe there is nothing better for
improving art technique than drawing
the human body. To me it's the
measure of draftsmanship. Our eyes
are far more forgiving about the shape
of a tree, or the height of a building, but
cannot easily ignore even slight
distortions of the body or head. If an
artist can accurately portray the human
figure, drawing everything else
becomes much easier. In this sketch
I've hedged my bets a bit by avoiding
this model's face and many parts of her
anatomy, but by doing so, I hope I've
evoked a bit more mystery in what's
unseen. You be the judge.
Craig Masten
Artist Website
Artist Website
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Oils:
Copyright 2008 Craig Masten All Rights Reserved
Watercolors
Welcome to my
Website. I'm pleased
by the opportunity for
you to view my work,
read about my
background, and know
some of my reasons
for doing art. I
frequently update
pictures in the Gallery,
the News, and other
pages. Most of all, I
hope you'll enjoy
yourself and visit often.
Website. I'm pleased
by the opportunity for
you to view my work,
read about my
background, and know
some of my reasons
for doing art. I
frequently update
pictures in the Gallery,
the News, and other
pages. Most of all, I
hope you'll enjoy
yourself and visit often.
Mount Hope Bridge, Lifting Fog
oil 16x20" unframed $1200
When moving from the east bay of Rhode
Island onto Aquidneck Island and Newport, you
cross this two lane suspension bridge. My
painting was done from the perspective of a
small grassy area near the massive, yet
somehow delicate metal pilings, with morning
fog just burning away in summer sunshine.
The bridge was built for another,less populous
age. Traffic now demands wider bridges with
more lanes. We'll never see such graceful
structures as the Mount Hope, its narrow high
towers, the old fashioned lamp lights, and a
ribbon-like roadway high over the water.
oil 16x20" unframed $1200
When moving from the east bay of Rhode
Island onto Aquidneck Island and Newport, you
cross this two lane suspension bridge. My
painting was done from the perspective of a
small grassy area near the massive, yet
somehow delicate metal pilings, with morning
fog just burning away in summer sunshine.
The bridge was built for another,less populous
age. Traffic now demands wider bridges with
more lanes. We'll never see such graceful
structures as the Mount Hope, its narrow high
towers, the old fashioned lamp lights, and a
ribbon-like roadway high over the water.
Featured Picture
Sledding in the Snow, oil, 16x20," and framed
The recreated scene of this week's
artwork I've done in other media--it's
made from a 19th century photograph
in an old family album--but this is the
only oil painting. I am able to share it
with you due to the kindness of it's
buyer. I sold it to this fellow artist one
Christmas, shortly after it was painted,
and unforunately, too soon to have
remembered to make a photo. Much
later,I fortuitously met the artist/buyer
again, who generously agreed to bring
it to me to make a photograph for my
records. You see it now as I do once
more. I feel a bit of me is restored.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,
and this is one of those Christmas
stories that supply the proof. I am very
thankful.
artwork I've done in other media--it's
made from a 19th century photograph
in an old family album--but this is the
only oil painting. I am able to share it
with you due to the kindness of it's
buyer. I sold it to this fellow artist one
Christmas, shortly after it was painted,
and unforunately, too soon to have
remembered to make a photo. Much
later,I fortuitously met the artist/buyer
again, who generously agreed to bring
it to me to make a photograph for my
records. You see it now as I do once
more. I feel a bit of me is restored.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,
and this is one of those Christmas
stories that supply the proof. I am very
thankful.
