Wednesday, July 28, 2010



Functional Sculpture

Watercolor on archival paper, 7 1/4" x 10"
$160 plus $7 shipping in U.S.
Email don@dailyartwest.com for purchase


OK class, time for another Gray tutorial on eastern Oregon fence building. Here's a variation on the rock jack (see my April 28th post.) This style of jack may have another name, but I don't know it. (some fencing instructor I am, huh?) Maybe some of you ranchers can help me out.

It's a pretty elegant, simple solution that looks almost sculptural, don't you agree?

This subject seemed to cry out to be painted in watercolor, at a bit larger scale than the usual daily.

12 comments:

Kristin said...

I love this one! The sky is lovely and I like the way the orange grass contrasts against it.

Anonymous said...

A stark yet beautiful lesson in basic physics. Love the sky and the rock "hanging in the balance."
Anne Thrower

Don Gray said...

Thanks a lot, Kristin--nice to hear from you.

Don Gray said...

Hi Anne--thanks. Yes, it really is elemental physics. One senses the weight of the stone and how it effects the tripod of posts.

Micah Neff said...

Rock cradle????

Don Gray said...

"Rock Cradle" may not be the official name, Micah, but I think it's a perfect description! Thanks.

Dean Grey said...

Hmmm.....

That lone structure is a fence? But what is it blocking out?

Or was it part of a fence that's been dismantled?

Just curious!

-Dean

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

I like the starkness of this painting. Very Wyeth.

Micah Neff said...

ya know...there is something strangely beautiful about this structure.

Don Gray said...

It has been dismantled, Dean. Normally there would be 4 or 5 strands of barbed wire strung across one of the angled posts. The wires end up being not vertical but angled. They are a bear to try to cross without getting your clothes hooked on the barbs!

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Mary. Wyeth was my big idol as a young painter--I even flew from Oregon to Pennsylvania to meet him and ask his advice on whether I should try painting full-time. All these years later, when I use watercolor I tend to "revert" to a more Wyeth-like style--can't seem to help it.

Don Gray said...

It is beautiful, isn't it, Micah? I love your term "rock cradle."