Finished and Sold

This piece really bugged me because of so much tweaking to get the figures close to an accurate gesture.  Rendering like this makes me hate art, but I manage to get sucked into it every time--remind any of you of anybody you know?  I think the head of the lady in the middle is one of the best I have done.  The effect of light is a big fat value chase combined with grey and saturation--a la Sorolla but I keep Potthast and Benson in mind as well--anything to hinder originality--O well.   I often crap out in dark values and fail to lift the lights high enough while holding on to some color--by that I mean I spend so much time building toward the lights that I am sick and tired of the project and just what to "get it out" and fail to put the "kill" on the work--the thing that gives it snap--you real oil painters out there know what I mean--who loves ya?

After a year or so of raising my grandkids I am getting the system down and am building toward 8 hour painting days--something I haven't done since the 80's--I have already lived longer than Sorolla and Sargent and still haven't done squat--according to a recent health questionnaire I filled out--one which predicts one's longevity according to the answers to questions like--do you floss?--I am supposed to be dead at 68--two more years.  Don't you love it?  When asked--Hatfield are you going deef (deaf)?  I love to reply--I have heard enough!  I have also seen enough but don't look forward to blindness.  Anyway painting is still a dear old friend and probably will be to the end--sorry.

BACK AT IT

Working on this 36by36.  I like where it is going--any suggestions as to how to finish it?  Art is done in community--right?

NEW WORK BY HATFIELD

Never Better 30by30

Byer's Photos of Hatfield Grandchildren Earn Finalist in Pulitzer Competition

THE FOLLOWING ALL HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS.  RENEE ALMOST WON HER SECOND PULITZER PRIZE FOR HER PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS.  THE SUBJECT WAS ME AND MY GRANDCHILDREN.  THE SACRAMENTO BEE CREATED A VIDEO THAT IS MASTERFUL AND CAN BE SEEN BY HITTING THE LINK BELOW.  ANY DONATIONS WILL BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED AND WILL GO MAINLY TO EVA AND ARIEL'S TUITION AT ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL WHERE THEY ARE WONDERFULLY LOVED AND TAUGHT THE LOVE OF GOD.  THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS. LOVE,  AND SUPPORT.  ALWAYS, DON HATFIELD

Renee C. Byer of The Sacramento (CA) Bee

For her heartwarming photographs of a grandfather raising three grandchildren after the violent death of his daughter and the loss of his wife to cancer.  http://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/2013

Click link below to view photos in slides show form under "A Grandfather's Sorrow and Love".

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/15/5343553/bee-photographer-named-finalist.html

Those wishing to donate to Rachel's Children's Fund may do so by the following two methods:

1. Wire funds directly to Wells Fargo Account named "Rachels Childrens fund" routing number: 121042882  account number: 1658504855

2. Paypal: By Credit Card: Go to paypal.com, click "Send Money" right in the middle of the page, enter the amount, select "Friends and Family", and click Continue. In the "To" email address, enter: Rachelschildrensfund@gmail.com. Enter your own email in the "From" box. Follow the directions to enter your credit card or paypal information.




VIDEO:  Click on "VIDEO" at the bottom of the thumbnails when the page opens:


http://sacb.ee/15aZEeb

Can't Believe I Wrote This

The purpose is for individual human beings to create paintings that arrest the attention, that stir the soul, that point to the mystery-the paradox-the glory-the hidden-ness of existence--that kindle the imagination. Paintings that don't preach but point to something previously unseen, unheard, untouched, unheralded in our brief journey on the planet. Paintings that shut our mouths and open our hearts and minds in ways previously unimagined. Paintings that shift the collective perception, that make us weep, or at least take off our hats in the presence of something great even if we can't talk about greatness. Paintings that endure over time because they are-- well...timeless. -Don Hatfield

Last Photo With My Darling Rachel (with Alex)

God answers my grief with His creative love everyday.

Nice Compilation of Hatfield Oils

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9765wfOSJc