Matt Chinian Painting Blog: August 2014

Saturday, August 30, 2014

SAW hill, from outside.

79 F sunny

I went up to Salem Art Works today, to say hi, it's been 5 days since finally made it back to Cambridge, it was nice to see some old friends!

View from Saw hill, it's big!

Trucks, there was clearing maybe the trucks will move again.

Just outside of the SAW property, the light from over the hill was perfect.

Set up.

This panel went to Germany and back.

I've heard a lot of people work dark to light, but I don't think you can ignore the light before too much painting goes by.

Close....

Here the telephone pole, I like the way it breaks things up.

The scene.

My van, easy, I like easy.

Looking up Stanton Hill Rd.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Somewhere over the North Atlantic from Paris to Boston, August, 15, 2014

I usually have more photos than commentary, but I just wanted to write a few lines now. My journey home was uneventful, and that's always good, no delays, no missteps, no problems; from Schloss Spetzgart, to my parents house, in Newton, Ma. (last leg to Cambridge, NY. today!). I read the text of the exhibit, cover to cover; every word German and English, while on the plane. I hopped more than anything to keep the words, spoken, the notes played, in my ears; the pictures, fresh in my eyes. My state of being on the way home was exhaustion, 3 weeks action packed, painting, attending openings, concerts, studios, meeting people, listening, talking and visiting places I could not have imagined. And maybe drinking a little beer, OK lots of beer, wine and Irish whisky........

Painting was a big part, of course, I wanted to break through something in my work,(I'm not sure what) and I know painting a lot is always good. To get the paint flowing, to forget how to paint, to stop thinking about paint. Even after 36 paintings, I still felt that I could have painted more. Getting to know the work of my fellow artists, now friends, to understand what they thought about, to hear the questions they ask, of themselves and the world. To be part of that, to cross-reference, to witness; this was awesome!

It was also exciting for me to meet so many people, from the farmers walking by when I was out in the country side to the painter (who was doing the decorative work on the stable at Schloss Salem) . I met other parents of teenagers, and forged an instant bond. So many people, who helped in so many different ways, made me feel welcomed, and cared for. Collaborating with Chris Soppa, painting scenes she had written about, and had so much historical knowledge of, and of course, following her husband Ralf to the city of Constance, return ferry ticket and map in hand. So many people, I'm sorry to leave most out of this commentary, but they are in my heart.

On my way, through the airports, security, finding my gates, I'm thinking of seeing my girls, my family; thinking of all that has happened. Overwhelmed by the emotions I was feeling, how will the world look to me now? Have I betrayed those I love the most, by loving the adventure that took me so far from them? I fought back tears, tears of joy, tears of the overwhelming experience of coming so close to something so big.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

This is really my last painting here in Uberingen!

65 F some sun, some clouds.

I came here to Uberlingen thinking maybe some tourist shop would be open for some last minute sundries, I found a great painting spot that in now in my "comfort zone.

I was wandering like I'm known to do, and I looked down this "ally" with the bright yellow wall, took note, and swung back around.

There were some nice contrasts, but I think the format would have been better more square.

With this much "grey matter" it's hard to control, subtle changes in value and temperature go a long way.

The brightness in the back was crucial, did I get it?

The green carries a lot of weight. I was sure to not have the two bushes be the same size.

I've said before if you don't get it in the first 15-30 minutes, you won't ever.

My scene, I wanted something unique to this place, this my last painting of the trip, I think I got it.

Money shot.

It's Sunday, so the stores are closed.

View up street.

Inscription on the wall this place is connected to Salem, and is very old.

Last days in Germany; quoted in a German newspaper, subject of a poem, a gift, shopping, painting, goodbyes........

64 F mostly cloudy

I set out today to get to the mall, after all, that's where most of the locals shop, not the touristy downtown of Uberlingen.

I went to this sportswear store because who doesn't like sportswear? even if most of it is Nike and Addias, and made in China. I was looking through the racks, when I saw Sybil! I had met her on numerous occasions while here, she's friends with people in the circle of Salem2Salem, she graciously became my interpreter, so the salesman knew exactly what I wanted, then her friend, Daniella, who is a sister to one on my artist colleagues showed up, indeed this is a small world, and how quickly it is to make friends!

I made my purchases, and got some more titanium white at the OBI, and was back on the road, following a hunch!

I past by these Churches, and don't know why I didn't paint them!

I went down this dirt road and got lost.

I kept going when I saw a familiar sight, the cement plant, which was near the paint store, not far from the shopping mall!

I was on a familiar road (it would be considered a driveway in the U.S.) and I must be home sick, because this farm scene was just what I wanted!

I don't feel comfortable painting when lost, here I did know the way back to Spetzgart.

It was grey, late afternoon, early evening....

The colors were muted, but I had some nice dark tones.

I loved the way the rooftops played in the landscape......

Ende.

Money shot.

In these last days after so much has happened, I haven't begun to sort it out, that will come later, when I get home and am re-united with my family. So many conversations, so many connections. Painting in another place, seeing the beauty, and loving it, is a joy and celebration, it's palpable and does not need translation. My work is accessible to just about anybody, it's easy to understand and needs no text. I value that more than anything because it's real; real people, leading real lives, in real time, sharing a real moment, and there's nothing better than that!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Finished paintings on exhibit in Germany.

Here are photos of the finished paintings in the exhibit here, I've done a few more since, and hopefully I'll do some more before I go. They are in order.