OT - My new hobby ...

Way to go John... love the image of the trees and the way they enclose the frame. Makes me feel like I'm hiking in the Rockies. When I retired (the first time) I got into action and sports photography and managed to build up enough business to get many free tours of USA, Central America and Caribbean, all basically paid for via my stories and photography. It was a fun period, but the best part was seeing my work appreciated by the public. Have faith and keep promoting your art and who knows what could happen. (Just don't cut your ear off. - that's an old Van Gogh joke, similar to the theater's 'break a leg')

John, your art works are nice. While you are more or less dedicated to showing the true shape of items, my wife is doing in acrylics both in true shape and surrealistic impressions. If it is for example, a barn from Vermont, then it is in true shape. But if it's the Neuse River in NC then it's surrealistic. I myself, as an Engineer, I understand your boat pier piece.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:... Just don't cut your ear off. ...

No, no! I'm on my meds ... ... No, they are NOT telling lies!! ... If I told you once, I told you a hundred times those people aren't evil. They're not telling lies. ... Pardon me! I sometimes have to set my friend straight! .. So frustrating! ... ...

kaiasgram wrote:... The person who started that "don't put me out to pasture" thread and thinks that retired people have all "lowered" their expectations could take a lesson from this thread and from you. ...

Kaia's Grammie, thank you. Due to my neurological issues, I really can not handle crowds or being out in public for any length of time. I really was very discouraged when I had to retire. I could just put up my feet and wait to die. Or I can embrace life and do something that helps improve my coordination / fine motor skills, keeps me interested, and keeps me occupied. Guess which one I chose!

Life is too precious to waste. So, I try to live it fully - but never at the expense of another.

ems wrote:... Have you been doing this for a long time... or truly a "new hobby"? ...

No, I just started this past February. Really. I've attempted to do four or five paintings per week. With enough practice anyone can learn a new skill. I just try hard to practice at it.

So you can see there's been progression, here's my first attempt at a full painting, a fall leaf:

John, You're spoiling my pity party on another thread. I am feeling very inspired by your posts. Thank you.

avi123 wrote:John, your art works are nice. While you are more or less dedicated to showing the true shape of items, my wife is doing in acrylics both in true shape and surrealistic impressions. If it is for example, a barn from Vermont, then it is in true shape. But if it's the Neuse River in NC then it's surrealistic. I myself, as an Engineer, I understand your boat pier piece.

LOL! Imagine that. An engineer that has problems with anything other than realism!! (Comments the retired engineer - me!!)

If you mean the following barn, it's fashioned off a childhood memory:



If you mean this barn, it's fashioned off the John Moulton Barn near Yosemite National Park in Wyoming:





And believe it or not, AVI123, but I try to learn something new with each painting that I do. Making it realistic is NOT one of my objectives. Sorry if that's a problem for you.

JohnBFisher wrote:
And believe it or not, AVI123, but I try to learn something new with each painting that I do. Making it realistic is NOT one of my objectives. Sorry if that's a problem for you.

Mathematician and software person here. I find that if I allow myself to do it realistically once then I am free to play with the image, but at least the first try has to be an attempt at "real". The real version often gets trashed.

I am still trying to find a non fabric medium. I loved chalk pastels until I realized they were giving me asthma attacks. I have been fumbling my way through acrylics, oil pastels and water colour pencils.

Beautiful work, i have always heard that everyone has a talent and that's one for you. I am still waiting for my talent to surface.

BlackSpinner, as you probably know there are other types of pastels that might not cause the asthma attacks. I hope you can find a medium that you enjoy.

Well, I finished the Garden path. Hope you enjoy it.

Lovely, can I have a teensy taste of the butterfly?

chunkyfrog wrote:Lovely, can I have a teensy taste of the butterfly?

.. I fear that one would taste a bit chalky .. But you can definitely feast your eyes on it! ..

John I can't believe how FAST you work. Love the garden path.

JohnBFisher wrote:So you can see there's been progression, here's my first attempt at a full painting, a fall leaf:

Hey, this is so cool -- Ken Hobson, yes? I recognized the leaf immediately because I watched his lesson online last week! I was intimidated watching him paint the leaf, but you did amazing. I can't believe you just started a few months ago. I'm jazzed, inspired and excited for you, and eager to see if I can paint (most of my paints dried up during 10 years in storage ). Thank you again for sharing your beautiful work with us.

Lovely!

John, I am both impressed and inspired!

Well done John,
Makes me want to go dig out my oils and do something again. It's been 15 years since I painted and I do miss it.
Enjoy your new hobby. It feels so good to complete a nice work of art.