"And now here's something we hope you'll really like"

                                          " Moose Meadow Morning"  oil on canvas  34"x 28"


Hello again everybody. I know many of may be thinking what in the world is this? This was a commissioned painting that I completed over the summer for MOOSE MEADOW CAMPGROUND in West Willington, CT. This was definitely a change of subject matter from what I usually do. There are many artists who specialize in wildlife art. Many contemporary wildlife artists are featured in the magazine ART OF THE WEST. Although I don't consider myself a wildlife or western genre artist, I've been buying issues of that particular magazine for ten years now. I'm able to learn about painting just by observing the works of artist featured in each issue. I've read about how some wildlife artists go to great lengths just photograph and sketch from life wild animals in their natural environment and then go back to there studios and develop the paintings. The closest I've ever come to sketching a wild animal in it's natural environment was when I tried to draw a squirrel who was trying to run off with a bucket of chicken from Popeye's on the New Haven Green ( the squirrels in this town are gangsta )  Because I really didn't have the time to study the anatomy or observe these amazing creatures in person, I had to settle for stock photos I found on the Internet. I know that others who have the luxury of really observing and studying these animals in person could probably spot some drawing errors in the painting ( they stand out like sore thumb to me ) but I did the best I could with the time that I had to finish it and folks at Moose Meadows were very, very, very, pleased with the finished painting, so I guess it wasn't that bad. 

Also if your interested  family campgrounds definitely look them up. I've been going to Moose Meadows ever since I was a wee lad and now I take my family there. My daughter loves it just as much as I did. I'll now leave you with a moose related video. Enjoy. 

Summer Remix

Light House Park (oil  8x10)

Hello again everybody. Once again I must apologize for my blogging break. But this time I'll make it up to you with a special treat at the end of this blog entry. Allow me to now to explain my absence these past couple of months. You see, this is the first year that my daughter has actually had a full summer break from school ( she's a 1st grader now )  And so my wife and I were a bit unprepared as far as a plan for summer activities for her were concerned. Many summer programs for were to expensive to pay for at the last minute. Thankfully we found a place called camp Grandma. Camp Grandma is a fantastic summer camp and the best part about it is that it's FREEEEE!!!! Thanks Mom for watching our chocolaty sweet daughter for us during the weekday mornings this summer.
I've posted a couple of plien air paintings that I did over the summer (yes I have been busy painting) The one above done whilst attending a cook out. The painting you see beneath was done en plien air on Audubon St. in New Haven. While my daughter was attending art classes at the Creative Arts Workshop I figured I'd use that time to brush up on my skills. This was rushed and very, very loose but it's still good to practice.

And now here is what you all have been waiting for the first video featured on my blog. A very moving tribute to Bob Ross put together by the people at PBS. And now may I present to you THE BOB ROSS REMIX. I'll more posts soon Enjoy!

 

A qiuck sketch

                                                   Oil study

This is a small oil painting I did as a warm up for a larger painting that I'm working on. After viewing the blogs of other artists I was reminded of the importance of doing small preliminary paintings and drawings before jumping into the final painting. Many great painters have always  done sketches or studies before creating their masterpieces. The benefit of these quick paintings is that they allow you to resolve composition, drawing, color and value issues before you really get into a painting. Then when it is time to tackle a finished painting,the process goes much more smoothly. I'll post the finished painting when it's done.


In other news I will have another solo art show at the Guilford Library in Guilford CT. next month. I'll have more details on that soon.


And now in completely unrelated news here is a list of movies that I hope will make it to theaters next summer
1.Cap n' Crunch  The Movie in 3-D
2.a re-release of Popeye the Movie in 3-D ( which in my opinion should've happened in 2010 to mark the 30th anniversiky but maybe there holding out for the 35th in 3 more years.... hopefully)

3.The Adventures of a New Haven Artist the Movie in 3-D  (rated G)
Starring Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson as yours truly who was quoted as saying when asked what it took to prepare for the role " Being a former wrestler, I already have a ton of muscles, but I felt in order to do the role true justice I had to spend 2 years of intensive fitness training before I could step in front of the camera for filming."

Just kidding. Stay tuned for my next blog update.    

I promise to make a promise sometime next week....maybe.

                                                           "Sisters"   Oil on canvas  

                                

Greetings all. I apologize for my absence these past several weeks. The last time we spoke I was preparing for a big art reception for the solo exhibition of my work at Cafe George in New Haven. The reception went very well. Despite the fact that it snowed that day, a few people did show up for the event. ( I won't count the two or three that came and knew nothing about the show and could care less about the art and were only there to mooch off of the free food) I'm very grateful to those who were able to make it and I am also grateful to those who very much wanted to come but just were not able to due to the weather and other circumstances. Have no fear dear readers there will be another show this summer. ( I'll have more information on that later ) I would also like to give a very special thank you to Paula and everyone at Cafe George the food was wonderful. And now as mentioned in the post title I will now a solemn ( yet somewhat ambiguous promise ) "I Chris Ferguson, promise to make a promise sometime next week to blog alot more oftener!!!!!!!!"  Yes, I am aware of the horrific grammatical errors in that statement but that just shows how determined I am to make that promise next week ( or possibly next month )   See next time. 

Save the Date!!!!