"Artists' Special"

"This drink is so-named because it was invented at the Artists' Club in the rue Pigalle, Paris, in the 1920's. The red ingredient was originally redcurrant syrup, but grenadine can be used to perfectly good effect instead. The mixture of Scotch and sweet sherry at its heart is a very appealing one."

1 measure / 1 1/2 tbsp Scotch
1 measure / 1 1/2 tbsp sweet brown sherry
1/2 measure / 2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 measure / 2 tsp grenadine

How about that! This is my model for today. I started with a red itty bitty canvas and this example from a bartender's guide. I thought the name appropriate and the color worked so here is the itty bitty "Artists' Special"! The addition of the recipe was a "must" in case any one wants to try one... hmmm...

This is number 8 of the 10 in this martini series. : )

-jM

"One More Cup of Coffee"

"Content may be and often is trivial. But I do not think that any person may pronounce either upon the weight or upon the triviality of an idea before its execution into a work of art."  -- Ben Shahn (1898-1969)

The "itty bitty" cup of coffee has become a "little" cup of coffee.

Here is the itty bitty:

The transition from a small painting, to a larger one is quite an interesting process. It seems the feeling needs to be conveyed in the larger painting, more than being the exact replica of the smaller painting...

-jM

"Mexican Martini"

"Mandatory Mexican Monday", yup, we had chips and salsa and all of that stuff at the little La Jolla mexican restaurant in Broad Ripple tonight. Mandatory Mexican Monday was the inspiration for this itty bitty.  Here we have it, a Margarita, which translates into a Mexican Martini! On the real drink we had tonight there was a lime wedge on the glass, well... I'll have to include that next time!

Mexican Martini is number 7 of the 10 martini paintings!

-jM

"Moderntini"

This martini glass is actually square, yes, that's right. I myself have never seen one like this until now, but here it is. I bought it from Bed Bath and Beyond last spring. Cool, huh?

Have a good week!

-jM

"Radiantini"

Itty bitty number 5 of 10, Randiantini.... would this be one of those martini's that Homer Simpson would have made while at work one day? Hmmmm... no, I think his might have more of a green cast coming from it!

This itty bitty I painted using just the martini glass as the model. I'm looking at it wondering if maybe I should add an olive to it or something. Have to think about that an itty bit....

Have a great weekend!

-jM

PS: Changed the look of my blog page obviously... I hope it's easier to read/view.

"Wild Tyger Lily"

Painted outside today, the sun was setting, so I had to paint fast, but did I capture what I wanted to get...
my first time with oil paint outside... really different... yup bugs in my paint and it got hot in the sun..
yup.... it was great, I'll have to try it again...

and again.... good luck tomorrow Carolyn!!!

-jM

"Celebrate Tuesdays!" no... "Spirited Martini!" -Sold

Number 4 of ten.

Somewhat festive wouldn't you say?

And... a little different.

Good Luck tomorrow Carolyn!

-jM

"Lemontini"

It's an itty bitty  Lemon Martini!

Do they make those?

This is number 3 of the ten.....

-jM

"Shakey Martini" -Sold

A "Shakey Martini" for Saturday. Maybe this would be one that Shakey Jake Harris would enjoy!

Number two of the 10 itty bitty martini paintings...

No model used, I can tell! It's all good. Life is short, live full!

Happy Saturday!

-jM

"Yes, it's Friday!" -Sold

Yup, it's Friday.... time for the martini, time for the wine, time for the cold beer after cutting the lawn, mmm. How about a lemonade, hmm, now there's an alternative. Ice water anyone?

This is the first of ten, yes ten, itty bitty martini's. Believe it or not they are all started, I'll just have to finish them one-by-one.

I tried not to be too critical of this one. Trying to go back to that idea, you know, the one I started for the "New Year", painting from the heart... I've had little reminders lately. An artist friend of mine talked about painting .. basically.. "from the gut". I've heard other descriptions, painting from your solar plexus, getting out of your own way... on and on... hey! it's just easier to get in the way, one has more excuses that way!

Have a great weekend!!

-jM