A Boston Perspective by Ann Gorbett

A Boston Perspective

36" x 24" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

To read more about this painting, visit my blog, anngorbett.blogspot.com. Thanks!

View from 500 Boylston by Ann Gorbett

View from 500 Boylston

by Ann Gorbett

12" x 12" x 1.5"

Oil on cradled panel

To read more about this painting, visit my blog at anngorbett.blogspot.com. Thanks!

Beacon HIll by Ann Gorbett

Beacon Hill

by Ann Gorbett

36" by 12"

Oil on 2" cradled panel

To read more about this painting, visit my blog at anngorbett.blogspot.com.

Boston Opera House by Ann Gorbett

Boston Opera House (revisited)

by Ann Gorbett
12" x 12" x .75"
Oil on cradled board

To read more about this painting, check out my blog anngorbett.blogspot.com.

North End, Boston by Ann Gorbett

North End, Boston
by Ann Gorbett
10" x 10" x 1.5"
Oil on cradled artist board

To read more about this painting, check out my blog at anngorbett.blogspot.com.

Boston Opera House by palette knife painter Ann Gorbett

Opera House, Boston

by Ann Gorbett

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

12" x 12" x .75"

I originally intended for this painting to be more abstract shapes and then found myself getting obsessed with painting the windows again. I took this reference photo looking down the Ave de Lafayette at The Boston Opera House (the white building) on Washington Street. Again, I was attracted to the juxtaposition of old and new Boston all sandwiched together.

We had a discussion in painting class about that triangle roof-I struggled with it's perspective in order to make it believable. What's interesting is that I was googling images of the Opera House this morning and found some earlier photos where this buidling had a different roof. Later photos showed scaffolding around this building so that must have been a recent update. Kind of strange that they added such a modern roof to an otherwise historic looking building. Do you think they were trying to make it blend it better with the brandy new building that popped up behind it?

The Littlest Bar, Province Street Boston, by Ann Gorbett

The Littlest Bar, Province Street Boston

by Ann Gorbett

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

14" x 11" x .75"

You might be wondering about the emphasis of the bright red window in the bottom right of this painting. Well, that is what used to be "The Littlest Bar". This Irish Pub, truly the littlest bar you've ever seen, closed it's doors a few years ago, but I just read recently that they opened a newer, and not so little bar in the Financial District not too far from this original location. Here is a portion of an article about it closing its doors.

When I took the photo I used for my reference, I peered into the window only to see stacks of boxes. The new owner is apparently using it for storage. The entire street has gone through quite a transformation. That building to the right of it is full of high rise condos. I so love the juxtaposition of old and new that you see all around Boston. I sure hope they come to their senses soon and do something interesting with this space. I mean, they gave it a fresh coat of bright red paint after all. I was glad to see they kept it intact.

Here is a close up of the only part of the painting that has people. You can see that it's only a few strokes that define the woman diners. I saved that part for last and had fun with it.

Boston Near the Finish Line, palette knife painting by Ann Gorbett

Boston Near the Finish Line

By Ann Gorbett

Oil with a palette knife on artist board

12" x 12"

The finish line of the Boston Marathon that is. I've been taking some photos during my lunch hour and have discovered some interesting views of the city that are going to inspire some future paintings. I began this painting in class on Thursday and finished it up today. I think I'm getting obsessed with painting windows. The order and structure appeal to me in a weird way, even though with the palette knife, it's really not that all that straight and orderly. You may remember that I did this sketch for this painting a few weeks ago. It helps me compose the painting, study the photo, and do some editing ahead of time.

Large Boston View by palette knife painter Ann Gorbett

Looking up Berkeley Street III

by Ann Gorbett

Oil with a palette knife on 2" cradled board

36" x 24"

This past week I took a couple of days off of work so I could have a two day self imposed painting marathon. Although I was completely fried by Friday night, it was worth it. I was able to finish this large painting I have been working on for awhile now, phew. As well as finishing up a few others that will appear in later posts. 

I had previously posted several stages of this painting and this time I was hoping to get a better sense of the size of this painting when I photographed it. The one above is on the easel which kind of shows the scale, but then I recruited Polo and shot this one too. What a hoot. Here is my painting with a hat and legs.

And here is a detail.

And an abstract close up.

Mmmm chunky deliciousness. It's now ready for it's debut at our June 4 art reception and show. 

Boylston Street Boston palette knife painting by Ann Gorbett

Lunch on Boylston Street

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

12" x 9" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge

Another in my series of city scenes. This one of Boylston Street in the Back Bay area of Boston. I like the juxtaposition of the old and new architecture that makes Boston so unique. I had fun adding dabs of people walking by and eating at the restaurant in the bottom left corner. 

Artist Natasa Vretenar has asked in a previous post if I could share what type of palette knives I use. I mostly use these detail knives I purchased through Dick Blick. They have soft, rubber handles and are great for making a variety of marks. And they are the same ones that appear on the page from their Fall 2010 catalog where my painting is featured. I think it would be interesting to hear about what types of knives other palette knife artists use. 

Palette Knife Artist Ann Gorbett

Urban Canyon

Ann Gorbett

12" x 9" x 1.5"

Oil

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a palette knife artist from the Boston area and I'm excited to be part of this blog and share my work. This painting was done from a photograph taken in downtown Boston. It's part of a series of cityscapes that I have been working on and I can't wait to share more with you.