Larry A. Smail's Blog

Hmm. a trip to the high country of Pennsylvania…

Last autumn I received a message from Linda Burrows of Driftwood, Pennsylvania. She is the director of the Driftwood Senior center. Within the message was a question; asking if I might be interested in painting a mural at the center. At first, I was not sure if I wished to take on such an endeavor, after all the largest painting I had ever completed was on a forty-eight-inch panel and that was painted horizontally.

The art was to depict a tree known often as a Memorial Tree. Names of past members can be placed on the limbs as a permanent memorial. Linda wanted a more realistic tree on her wall with some scenery. Traditionally, memorial trees are often done as a silhouette. The mural was to be memorial in honor of a man who had helped much within the center and was loved by all. His name; Wayne Johnson. I would paint an image of Wayne fishing a native trout stream.

I would ask some questions and eventually agreed to do the art. I tried to figure out my needs to paint such a large piece. The wall area is seven by seven.

I messaged her with a very rough sketch for the art and she agreed that was along the line as to what she was thinking.

Linda was gracious when I said I would attempt the project but needed to wait until 2022 for hunting seasons were coming to reality and we had holidays to contend with. Weather would play a part, too.

After a very cold start to the year a break was reported and the trip to Driftwood was on. I was on site for several days. I was blessed to meet some very nice senior citizens. I even begged them with an offer several times. the offer was for someone to pose nude…there were no volunteers, but some laughing with comments.

I worked long hours on the project working from around ten A.M. the first day for almost twelve hours. I cleaned up and tried to sleep and after about two hours of sleep total, I arose and began at two thirty in the morning through the day until around six thirty. I cleaned up and laid my head down to sleep at eight o’clock and was out immediately.

One aspect of this task that I hadn’t planned for was the pain of lifting my arm overhead and climbing a small ladder and painting from the floor. I was aching a lot, but I stayed true and ignored all pains the best I could.

I woke up the following morning a little after four and began to finish up followed by removing all the necessary items to do the job. I swept and mopped the floor since I had time before people began rising around nine.

Linda arrived followed shortly by the wife of Wayne. When the two came away from the art I could see tears in the eyes. Of course, I had some mist, too.

Leaving the center was sad for me, for I truly enjoyed those in attendance. salt of the earth kinds of people! This country needs more people like the Driftwood Senior Center patrons.

As a plus for the painting, I saw seven elk the first evening and three on the second evening while walking outside for breaks. I would see many more after leaving the site.

Thank you all at the Driftwood Senior center for their kindness. The address is: Driftwood Senior center; 7806 Bridge Street; Driftwood, PA 15832. The phone is: 814-546-2331.

If interested in seeing the art contact Linda at the center for hours and details.

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Very recently I decided to paint a Cardinal. I sketched the image on a gessoed panel I had leaning against a wall. A short break when I began slapping the paint. The idea of including Dogwood blossoms came as an afterthought.

I have included a few “progress” photos.

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Very recently I received a copy of the Conservation Lantern. I was very surprised to see an acrylic painting of mine called, “Screech Owl and Chickadees”. The Conservation Lantern is a seasonal publication from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Clubs and Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation. The website is: http://www.pfsc.org.

Earlier this year they used a Bald Eagle painting on their cover.

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I have not been inspired to paint much as of late. there is a lot of issues I am dealing with, however recently I saw some birch trees while hunting bear with the muzzleloader. I took some notes and began sketching down an idea.

I found a panel I had prepared to paint on and decided that would be the size of the painting. The size is thirteen by eighteen.

My first drawing shown here found a liking for the composition. I used tracing paper and refined the sketch some. Once I was satisfied, I transferred the image to the pre-pared panel and the “slapping stage” began. People are amazed how the slapped-on paint evolves to the finished piece.

I then start to refine the painting process. Detail work slows down the art, of course.

The original concept for this painting had Jack-In-The-Pulpit seed pods and ferns, but as the painting moved along, I chose an arrow and eliminated the other thoughts. the arrow is from an Eastern Indian bow and was lost while shooting at something in the days before the bear walked past. the bear gives the arrow a look with curiosity. The entire story behind the painting is up to the viewer. However, my original intent was the piece to be of a historical nature.

I have included some photos of the process for those who enjoy observing. I hope you enjoy.

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I completed the painting, AUTUMN GOLD-BALD EAGLE in 2019. Earlier this year I learned the painting would be appearing on the Fall 2021 cover of the quarterly magazine called The CONSERVATION LANTERN. This magazine comes out through the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists and the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation.

I am honored to see my art of their cover.

The original has a new home.

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Having a dog around the house again sure changes our lives. Trixie was owned by an elderly couple from the church we attended. They have had this Dachshund for around five years. They estimate the dog may be around eight years old.

Laurie with her good heart told the couple we would take care of the dog if ever the need would come upon them. She said we would take the dog before seeing it handed over to a dog orphanage place or such.

The couple earlier this year due to health reasons have ended up in a home. We obtained Trixie in early summer. We have had issues. Her legs gave her some trouble and we had to put her on steroids. Unfortunately, that causes the needs for nature calls frequently. Often times she didn’t get outside in time if you know what I mean. Also, we have been trying to train her to give us a communication of some sort so we know when she needs to go out. Sometimes this works sometimes it doesn’t, but things are improving with her.

Trixie loves to play and she has a lot of toys she continually drags out into the room. Another enjoyment for her is to bark at squirrels and chipmunks on the back deck, She’ll spend much time watching the steps and landings for these little pests to her. She barks at them until they are out of site.

Overall she is becoming a very good dog. She is a loving dog now wanting to be petted as her tail wags back and forth. She is a vocal dog when guests first arrive but she has proven to be a friendly dog with company.

The one negative we face now is we can not not go far and for any great time. We have no family who can take care of her anytime we might need to take a mini-trip. But that is alright with us especially with a world going off the deep end more daily. We three will be OK. We will give her the best life we can while she is here with us.

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Recently I completed a painting of eight various dogs showing them at the base of a golden path to “doggy heaven”. Of course, the comments I received from social media were abundant. I always enjoy seeing the reactions of those who enjoy the art and concept. I placed different photos of the painting’s progress until the finished art was placed to show. About midway in the process I was contacted to do a painting of some pets.

The painting above shows the final painting prior to the varnishing.

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I never know what I will be asked to paint or where an inspiration may push me towards. The above painting was a request from my wife, Laurie. She asked if I would do a painting of dogs for her. She has always loved dogs.

I told her to make a list of species she would like for me to paint. The list featured eight species of dogs. Shown on the painting are the eight dogs she wanted on the art. They are: Doberman; Poodle; Pomerium; Great Dane; Goldendoodle; Cocker Spaniel; Springer Spaniel and the Beagle.

The thought process began and the final layout depicts the idea on the treated Masonite panel. The painting is an eighteen by twenty-four sized art and done with acrylic paint. The art is for her Valentine’s Day.

The second art is a pen, ink and pencil buck called “The Side of the Mountain”. I have been going through my file cabinets and I found a small sketch I did many years ago of a buck walking alongside the hill. I sketched the art originally while I was still at work. I often walked around at lunch time and sketched down ideas. Some were kept apparently, but most were discarded upon study.

I immediately decided I was going to do the idea in ink. A handful of hours later over several days the piece was completed. However, this finished art is not the same as the original sketch. Only the idea was used.

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The pen and ink art, “SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN” was done recently. I was going through old files and notes and found an image I had sketched many years ago while at work. The sketch was only about two by four, but for some reason I filed it.

The above art doesn’t resemble that sketch at all except the fact of a deer coming round the side of the mountain. After viewing the sketch I decided to use that inspiration and quickly penciled in an image followed by pen and ink details. Hope you enjoy the art.

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The Boys Of Summer

I began thinking about a painting featuring White-tailed Deer in velvet sometime in May.  As always, the thoughts became some quick thumbnail sketches working on a composition. These roughs may be only about three by five inches. Eventually, I came up with a composition I liked and began doing a rough layout to size, in this case, an eighteen by twenty-four inch painting.  Using tracing paper, I traced that rough making further changes and refining as I believed would be best.

Rough sketch

Once I was fairly content with the rough composition I began refining the drawing once again. The next step for me was preparation of an 18 X 24 inch Masonite board. I applied three coats of gesso while sanding some in between each coat. I transferred the drawing onto this prepared board. Even at this stage I may refine the drawing or make changes. Notice on the layout on the left I had distant mountains, but I changed that concept to a field with fence posts.

The next step was to paint the sky. Once complete I began what I call the, “slapping stage” where I hastily block in color to keep the drawing close to what my intent was. I am not concerned much with color at this time, only applying paint to get the form of the image to my plans. Any person looking at the board  would think what is this guy trying to do. Now, I begin slapping the paints but in a more controlled method further getting the forms to where I want them to be.

The painting begins to slow down as I do stages with more detail. I worked the field in and background trees followed by more rough work with the tree and closer grasses. From this point on it is a matter of jumping around the panel placing more paint here and there all over the art. Detail gradually slows down even more and the painting begins to come to life. more.

I generally try to complete most of the background before detailing the deer in this case. The percentage of completion might be something like 65%. I continually look the art over and refine the details as needed. I slapped on more paint but  in a more

Into the “slapping paint” stage

controlled way until finally I began to detail.  The detailed deer began to take hold quickly. Sometimes it all happens faster than I would have thought. I keep adding paint as needed until I look at the art and deem it complete.

Detail

I like to set the art back for a day or two to see it all fresh light. Sometimes even then I will adjust things.

Finally, at some point, I look at the art and say I think I better stop painting. The next step is to varnish the art. I used acrylic paints on this painting, and like oil paints, once complete and dry the artist varnishes the painting.

Hope you enjoy the stages of this painting.

A little more defined.

Color from photography is off.

Starting to detail the deer.

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