"Quick Draw at Easton" --- Sold

This painting is my quick draw piece at Plein Air Easton. Gush! I have already forgot what title I gave to it. I have enjoyed so much of the color play during the time I painted it. I used to be a tonal painter and using value and light to show most of my intentions. But now I am more and more into the effect of what color can do.

“Noon Shine" --- Sold

One of those steamy hot afternoon, I painted this turquoise house in downtown Easton. It was so sweet when using those radiant colors. I felt dizzy. I was drunk. Those vibrant pigments combined with Gambsol was  so intoxicating. I want to call it "Noon Shine", for its light and for its feeling. 

It is a small painting. I did many small paintings before, especially my "Daily Painting" days. It has been a long time since I visited any "Daily Painting" websites the last time. I am wondering if there are still many artists call themselves "Daily Painters" nowadays. I am wondering if there still someone selling painting via eBay as I did before. It feels like the last century, must be many iPhone versions ago. Something goes up, and something comes down. Things move in circles. "Noon Shine" turns to "Moonshine". Besides that, nothing has happened.

"Painters in the dark"

This is my nocturne painting during the Plein Air Easton. A few of my fellow artists were painting across the street from me. Beautiful lights from the store gave me chances for color. There was a storm before we started. I like the reflections on the road.

"Painters in the dark" has literally described what is in my mind at this moment. I am experiencing a dark time in my art career and my life. Long term over working has burnt me out. I don't feel as enthusiastic towards art as before. I am looking for new inspirations, but have not seen much. Too often, I am in my off-the-grid place, pondering about the future, just like painting in the dark. Darkness does not mean negativity. Without darkness, light will not show. I have not ever seen so much colors during the day at the corner of this street.

This painting is available. 

Shower system at my off-the-grid haven

In order to take a hot shower at my off-the-grid place. I have set up this experimental system. The collected rain water goes through a 4-stage filtration to get clean enough, then it either goes through or by-passes a tankless propane hot water heater so I can have either hot or cold water from two shower heads. The water pressure is provided by a water pump powered by solar. At this moment, I am testing the feasibility of this DIY gismo. It works like a charm. I plan to build a bath house on the deck before the winter comes, and a grey water irrigations system so I don't waist the precious resources.

You probably want to ask me if I have time to paint. Well I will say that my art has been significantly compromised at this moment.  I confess sincerely that my family and I have been enticed by the main stream commercialism so in consequence, we are trapped helplessly. However, I am positive, we will survive and have a much better life in the near future.

"St Michaels Jazz" --- Sold

I think this is the best painting I did during the Plein Air Easton. I submitted it as one of my two competitions pieces. I thought it may won something, but it didn't. However, it was sold within minutes after the show opened. I deliberately kept the painting very abstract. Only one boat in the center is barely identifiable. It looks it is the way to go.

"Go Green" --- Sold

I painted another tractor. This one did not go away during my painting time. I just enjoy painting mechanical thingies. The simple shapes like circles, rectangles can form beautiful patterns. I have been amazed by the design work done in the old days. That is why people keep the skeletons of old tractors and cars in their back yard. They just simply beautiful.

"Big Red" --- Sold

During the Plein Air Easton Festival, there happened to be a farm equipment show. I went there on the day after the show. Only a few tractors and farm machinery left. But it was relatively quiet time. I saw this red tractor and decided to paint it. When I got the painting about 2/3 finished. A old gentle man in old blue overall hopped on the tractor and drove it away. He ignored me completely. He said nothing, not even looked at me. That was just the nature of plein air painting. Your subject can disappear any time, mercilessly.

Interior of my off-the-grid haven

About a month ago, I posted a photo of my off-the-grid haven. Many friends commented, and some of them wanted me to show the interior of my place. Now you have it. I divided the 200 square feet into two rooms: one for the kitchen, one for the bedroom. A home made asian style window provides the air flow between rooms. The beauty is that I can do everything here by myself. I got the kitchen cabinets from "Re-store" for $60, and made the counter top with lumber and paint from Home Depot for $40. The sink ($90) and cook top ($90) were from Amazon. I insulated the bedroom only, spent $300. The plumbing and electric wiring are completely DIY. To survive without much of money. handiness is absolutely necessary.

"Morning Shimmer"

The hot and steamy weather continues. I was at the Maritime Museum, St. Michaels MD. The scene was quite busy. I just love it. I saw all kinds of plays: the geometric play, the color play, the value play and so on. When you see through the reality, you will see the true art.

"In a Hot Day" --- Sold

When it gets too hot, what do you do? It has been above 100 F everyday in Austin for more than a week now, and it looks it will be the same kind of weather for another week. It was similar day when I did this painting in Cambridge MD. To be honest with you, there were nobody under the colorful umbrellas when I was painting this one. Only the crazy artist is willing to stay outside in a super hot day.

"Cambridge Classic"

This painting has brought me the "Best Marine Painting" award at Plein Air Easton competition. I have learned my lesson. It was one of those the hottest and most steamy days. I spent most of my day time in a restaurant eating crab cakes. I started to paint around 5:00 PM, and finished it about 8. That was the best time of painting plein air. The temperature was tolerable, and the light got better and better. When the nature puts up her best show, I put down my finish touches. The world is the best place, if you know how to live.

The painting is available. Please contact me if you are interested.

“The Flag Day"

What attracted me when I saw this little storage shed was the light. One side of the little house was under a cool sky light, and on the other side the bright sun light was shining on the ground and a strong warm reflection had brightened the side of the house.

This painting is available. Please contact me.

“Tilghman Blue"

The painting was done at Tilghman Island as my first one for the Easton Plein Air Festival. It was a good day. I enjoyed the turquoise in the painting. This painting is still available. Please contact: https://studiobartgallery.com/artist/qiang-huang/ for details.

"Demo at Easton 2019 1" --- Sold

In July, I taught two workshops (Eaton MD and Sunbury PA), and participated the Plein Air Easton competition. I was on the road for 20 days. Now I have been back to Austin for a week, working on projects at my off-the-grid place. I did 15 paintings at Easton and 3 in Sunbury. I will show you gradually. I am happy my art journey keeps on going.

We have decided to put our house out the market. There are a few major remodeling projects need to be done before we sell it again. Thank God that someone is interested in renting our new house. I hope it goes through smoothly.

I enjoy painting houses and love the architectural beauty. Now I feel them so mysterious. When I came to US many years ago. I have no idea about real estates and how the capitalist system works. How come you have something that you have used for a while, but you can sell it with a higher price than you paid to get it new. It does not make sense, does it?