Negative Space

"Negative Space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image." (wikimedia)

Wikimedia also mentions that "The use of negative space is a key element of artistic composition. The Japanese word 'ma' is sometimes used for this concept, for example in garden design."

I've never heard anyone use the Japanese word "ma" instead of "negative space" yet, but it must be some kind of a new, hip thing to say, along with "umami" and some other Japanese words that I can't think of right now. I would use the word "ma" in terms of passing of time, like a pause, mainly in a conversation or in a stand-up comedy, but not when explaining visual elements.
Anyway.
Here is something I painted recently in the Bywater.

Burgundy near Clouet, New Orleans
oil on canvas, 14"x18"

I have to thank Dominique for mentioning those magic words, "negative space" to me. That made me remember that I was Japanese after all, and I should know a thing or two about negative space. Then I went outside and found this location, that screamed NEGATIVE SPACE!!!

Thank you Dominique, for the reminder, AND adopting this painting.

READ

Here's something I have done recently, on black canvas using painting knives.

READ
oil on canvas, 18"x24"

Usually I tend to put too much details on my paintings and I wanted to get away from that habit. Although I was frustrated from time to time since I'm not used to using painting knives, not having the command on paint application was actually enjoyable. Things happened spontaneously, both for good and bad. Also I was able to exercise some muscles on my right arm that I didn't know I had.

Matassa's Market

In memory of Mr. Cosimo Matassa, 1926-2014.

Matassa's Market, New Orleans
oil on canvas 20"x30"

Tuesdays at 9pm

My teacher Phil has been teaching at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts for a while, but for the first time in 20 years he is teaching portrait painting class every Tuesday this semester.

His class starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm, and we have a new model every 2 weeks. Our first model was Marie.

Marie
oil on canvas 18"x14"

Unfortunately this didn't turn out too well. My favorite part is the chair.

Then we had Allen.

Allen
oil on canvas 18"x14"

It was done in one sitting. Not too bad.

Our third model was Anna.

Anna
oil on canvas 18"x14"

Best one yet? I have a lot to learn here.

Riverbend Stables, Halloween day

The weather is finally manageable with the temperature in the mid-70s here in New Orleans. And it's Halloween today, so I decided to go paint the Riverbend Stables by the Mississippi River, located between the levee and the train tracks.

I have seen horses go by my house on their way from there to Audubon Park many times when the levee was off limits while under construction. It seemed out of place at first but I enjoyed the clip-clop sound of these beautiful animals. It was a very peaceful sight also. Now the levee is open again and the horses can walk up and down this nice grassy area instead of the hard, paved streets.

At one point while I was painting, some of them came out of the barn and ran around inside the riding area a bit. Below is the quick sketch done in about 80 minutes.

The rectangle building with a red band around it is Oak Street Raw Water Intake and Pump Station, where the Mississippi River water goes through. After being filtered and purified at a nearby treatment plant, that same water ends up in my belly. Yum. As Richard Campanella said, all of us New Orleaneans are made of 70% Mississippi River water.

Flying Horses and New Orleans City Park

They are called carousels in the rest of the world, but in New Orleans they are the Flying Horses. They live in City Park, and according to their website, the carousel dates back to 1906. Some of the animal figures date back to 1885. They are hand-carved, hand-painted, and horses have real horse hair tails!

Flying Horses of City Park, New Orleans
oil on canvas, 24"x36"

New Orleans City Park holds the oldest grove of mature live oaks in the world. Some are between 600 and 800 years old. There are 20,000 trees in this park.

Peristyle at the bottom was built in 1906 for parties and dances, and still is popular for birthday parties and weddings.

Three of my City Park paintings below will be at the 20th Annual Poydras Home Art Show & Patron Party at 5354 Magazine St. in uptown New Orleans.
Paton Party is on Thursday, October 30, 6-8pm.
Art Show is free and open to the public, on Saturday, November 1, 9am-5pm.
For more information including the Patron Party tickets, visit the Poydras Home website.

Near Diagonal Dr., City Park, New Orleans
oil on canvas, 14"x18"

Wildflowers in City Park, New Orleans
oil on canvas, 14"x18"

Peristyle, City Park, New Orleans
oil on canvas, 14"x18"

small ones

Race at Coliseum, Lower Garden District, New Orleans
oil on board, 9"x12"

Coliseum near Melpomene, Lower Garden District, New Orleans
oil on board, 9"x12"

Adams Street Grocery, East Carrollton, New Orleans
oil on board, 10"x8"

Adams at Burthe, East Carrollton, New Orleans
oil on board, 8"x10"