Saturday, February 23, 2008


Quiet Night

Oil on board, 22.5" x 30.25"


Here's a larger work--not a daily--of my truck in our driveway. We live outside of a very small town. It's pretty quiet in these parts, especially at night with a light snow falling to dampen sound. There's not too many people around to make noise anyway; you're more likely to hear coyotes howling, or the distant lowing of a cow.

I just completed this painting and haven't decided what I'll do with it yet--whether it will go to a gallery or show or...? Drop me an email if you're interested in it. Click image to enlarge

24 comments:

Frank Gardner said...

I really like this one Don. I can hear the silence.
The snow on one side of the pole and the barn behind are nice touches.

n warner said...

Wonderfully calming and deep blue cool. Love this dark, quiet evening.

Anonymous said...

The green glow of the lamp is a great touch. Interesting how you layered three things in a row - the truck, pole and building. It works. Beautiful sky too.

Don Gray said...

Much appreciated, Frank.

Don Gray said...

Nina, thanks for coming by. I'm glad you sense the silence I was hoping to convey.

Don Gray said...

It is a pretty frontal, straightforward design, isn't it, Silvina? Hopefully saved from being too rigid by the slight lean of that pole. Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

Damn, wish I had painted that one!
I love your paintings of night scenes, that little bit of luminous dark color in the sky. Happy belated birthday Don. I was reading the comments posted about your "6x10" self portrait. Regarding the trickiness of getting that warm/cool color balance right in photoshop - I use the adjust/color balance tool at times, staring with the midtones and then the highlights and shadows if necessary. By playing around with it you can sometimes
find the subtleties that are in the original painting.

Deborah Paris said...

This is terrific! The light on the truck is wonderful but I really love the sky and the subtle shapes against it (building, trees). Absolute silence. Perfect.

martha miller said...

This is lonely and haunting in a Hopperesque sort of way. I'm new to your blog and your work - after browsing a bit I have to say that I find this painting and your self-portrait the most compelling.(I do have a love of the figure - especially self portraits - and I'm drawn to the psychological...). Have you seen Lucien Freud's self portrait where he is looking down the whole length of his body at his reflection in a mirror on the floor? Stunning! And how about Beckman's self-portrait with a tuxedo? Saw it years ago in Cambridge - it's one of my favorites. I'd like to see you do a full length self-portrait.
Happy Birthday, and if 60 is the new 40, then I'm still in my early 30's...
Please don't wait till your 70th to do your next self-portrait!

Best
Martha Miller
www.marthamiller.com

Don Gray said...

Hi Marc, good to hear from you and thanks for the kind words and the Photoshop tip. Hope you're getting lots of painting done.

Don Gray said...

So nice of you to say, Deborah. I love doing night paintings, but find them really challenging.

Don Gray said...

Martha, I visited your blog and then it started seeping in to me that you are Susan's sister. You are a talented pair. Your portrait work is fantastic.

Thanks for the birthday wishes and your encouraging words. Maybe I will screw up the courage to look the old guy in the face again. Not sure I could stand painting the full length though, nor could anyone stand looking at it!

Jason Waskey said...

I'll add my kudos to the list...

Kudos!

Nicely handled, Mr. Gray.

Don Gray said...

Let me extend my appreciation, Mr. Waskey!

Anonymous said...

Rembrandt did self portraits routinely right into his old age, and they form an invaluable and fascinating documentation of his life. In fact, Rembrandt is one of the few artists I know of who has done a smiling self-portrait! It's true that people who sit for portraits, including self-portraits, are rarely smiling, because as you said, it is difficult to hold a smile for long.
Munch also did many self-portraits - there's that great one he did at the end of his life - Between the Clock and the Bed I think it's called. It does take courage to do self-portraits!
I hope that you do "screw up the courage" , grab the paints and look in the mirror again! Your self-portrait is memorable and very strong.

Anonymous said...

Oh! Yes, Susan and I are bicoastal sisters (is that a word?). Sue's work is phenomenal - you are seeing only the tip of the iceberg on her blog!

Gerald Schwartz said...

Don! This is a knockout.. The composition, coloring and mood is right on the money...

A Reason to Paint said...

Ahhh now this one is definitely my favorite, As soon as it came up on the screen I went looking for the "I want this" button. I hope you are going to treat us to some little ones like this. The mood is right up my alley.

artistbarb said...

I keep noticing your paintings. I am drawn to twilight and the night. You are good at painting and I recognize art when I see it.

Don Gray said...

Hi Gerald. I thank you for dropping by and for the encouraging words.

Don Gray said...

You're too kind, Triecia. Glad you like this one. I would like to do some smaller night things.

Don Gray said...

Thanks very much, artistbarb.

David Lobenberg said...

Yes...such a cold, calm, and silent feeling. I really like it.

Don Gray said...

David, thanks for the positive words.