a jester's lament

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I was staring at a blank canvas. A large blank canvas. I was ready to paint, but I was out of ideas (or rather, I had too many ideas and none of them very good). So I was browsing through reference photos and ran across a photo of a small 14x11" painting I had done not too long ago and decided it needed to be painted big . . . posthaste! A few hours later and I present: A Jester's Lament. Let me know if you like it---especially if you think I should paint more in this series.

A Jester's Lament, 48x36", $1400 - (no. 1033) — A Jester's Lament, 48x36", $1800

harvey canal

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I would love to do a larger series of these, eventually covering all of New Orleans. I don't like driving in the city, but I love the architecture, the people, the culture, the geography, and yes the rusty parts too. I think this style works well with the subject matter (though perhaps I could have painted out a bit more of the drips in this one...? I still might). And how about that purple: whaat!? (Look for a painting video of this one on my youtube channel soon)

By the way, I've started numbering each of my paintings, going forward (note the "no. 1032" above). I also will be writing these unique numbers along with the titles of the paintings on the back of each canvas I produce. This should help identify which painting is which, especially with similar or identical subject matter. Just thought I'd mention it.

mad symphony #4

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I had many doubts about this diptych (two-canvas painting) throughout the process of painting it, and I still have some as I write this. Like all the Mad Symphony paintings, this one is busy to the point of being frantic (but this is a major theme in the series and I think there is something endearing about its raw energy). I suppose it being so big (six feet wide and four feet tall) has me worried about carting it around until it finds the right buyer, but this is why I made it a diptych and not one giant canvas.

*11/29/15 update: This painting is no longer available

toulouse and bourbon

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I left the painting raw and unrefined, capturing (hopefully) the movement and energy of the city. I have nothing else to say about it really---it was a quick painting and I like the results. Find, please, the link to the painting video down below!

Toulouse & Bourbon, 20x16", $300 - (no. 1016) — Toulouse & Bourbon, 20x16", $300 - *(no. 1016)*

Click here to see the painting process on YouTube!

mad symphony #3

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I've been in an abstract-painting mood lately. Here's another in my Mad Symphony series. (the name is growing on me)

Mad Symphony #3, 18x30", $425 - (no. 1005) — Mad Symphony #3, 18x30", $500

container ship rounding algiers point

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Wess Foreman

This triptych (three canvas painting) began its life as a painting I never really loved, an imagined river scene with no real life to it. I recently turned my attention back to it and realized it was close to the same topography as Algiers Point in New Orleans. With a few tweaks and with the addition of the container ship, I am now thrilled with how this one turned out. Update 12/1/15: SOLD.

Container Ship Rounding Algiers Point (triptych), 36x72", SOLD

Mad Symphony #2

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Wess Foreman

Another painting in the series. The next day?! Well, what can I say. I'm on a roll. This one is a bit cleaner than the first, i.e. less interruption of background shapes and fewer shapes filling the frame altogether.

Mad Symphony #2, 30x48", $1200 (no. 1004) — Mad Symphony #2, 30x48", SOLD

Mad Symphony #1

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Wess Foreman

This one started off as one thing then turned into something else. I like the finished piece. It's . . . hip. I went ahead and called this a "#1" because I intend to paint more. Don't forget to see the painting process video down below!

Mad Symphony #1, 48x54", $1900 (no. 1003) — Mad Symphony #1, 48x54", $3300

Wess Foreman paints a large abstract painting using acrylics. "Mad Symphony #1", 48x54". Thanks for watching--remember to like and comment and share! artist: wess foreman website: wessf.com instagram: instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search, "Wess Foreman, artist" music: http://www.bensound.com

civilization series: chance of rain

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Wess Foreman

My Civilization Series paintings began around 2006. They were all primitive landscapes done in a colorful style full of whimsy. I settled on this style and focused most of my creative effort toward this series for all of that year---it was a sort of proving ground, intended to hone my artistic skills in the areas of color balance and atmospheric effect, not to mention a speediness in my painting style, among other things. This was also an attempt to solidify something, stylistically, as uniquely me. Something I could point to and say that's my style. (I figured it couldn't hurt, anyway)

Well, I did not stick to this particular style, but it did improve my painting abilities. I recommend it. In fact, anytime you have the opportunity to improve your abilities at whatever it is you do: seize the opportunity! If nothing else, you will become more efficient.

Anyway, I thought I'd paint another one. A big one. Let me know what you think!

Civilization Series: Chance of Rain, 36x48", N/A

Click here to watch the painting process on my YouTube channel!

live oak #5

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Wess Foreman

landscape with oak tree

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Wess Foreman

many new watercolors

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I haven't been consistent in posting new paintings lately, so I thought I'd post a bunch of these new watercolor/gouache paintings all at once. Additionally, I will take this opportunity to say that I have made prints for every one of these paintings and they are available for purchase now. More information below.

Army Men

Box Turtle

Climbing the Crepe Myrtle

Moon Above the Clouds

Bluebird

Black Cat

Daisies

Tea Time

MS River Bridge

Dripping Landscape

Early Figs

Boat on the Lake

Solitary Cloud

House Wren

Chickadee

Butterfly

Kitten

Goldfinch

Cloudburst

Egret

Frog

Rust Colored Treeline

Mason Jar

Peppermint Candy

Cardinal

Robin

Inchworm

Raven

Hummingbird

Clouds Across the Lake

Tire Swing

Yellow Cabin

Across the Lake

Green Cabin

Oysters

Specklebellies

Three Cabins

Sunlight Through the Gate

Prints Available!

All these prints are just under 8x10" and $10 apiece (plus $5 shipping on one or more prints) --- prints are shipped unmatted.

To order prints or originals (all of these are available as of this writing), just send me an email at wess@wessforeman.com or use the contact page on this website, and let me know which ones you're interested in and the quantity (at which point I can send you a payment request via paypal).

painting process: three cabins

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Wess Foreman

Another painting process video. Three Cabins, 5x7", watercolor, $50.

Wess Foreman paints three cabins using watercolor and gouache (opaque watercolor). artist: wess foreman website: wessf.com instagram: instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search, "Wess Foreman, artist" music: "Rainy Day Games" and "Bubble Bath" by The Green Orbs... via YouTube's free audio library

Specklebellies

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Wess Foreman

Another watercolor and gouache composition.

black cat

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Wess Foreman

Wess Foreman paints a black cat using watercolor and gouache (opaque watercolor). artist: wess foreman website: wessf.com instagram: instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search, "Wess Foreman, artist" music: "Club Step" by Topher Mohr and Alex... via YouTube's free audio library

army men

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I took the reference photo many years ago---three plastic army men set up on the window sill in my shop. The photo was dramatic and beautiful, the background transformed into out-of-focus blur of shape and color. I just had to paint this in my new media, gouache. Don't forget to check out the video of the painting process down below!

Army Men, 9x13.5", gouache on paper, $125 — Army Men, 9x13.5", gouache on paper, $125

Artist, Wess Foreman, paints a gouache study of three plastic army men. Enjoy and don't forget to "like" and subscribe! website: wessf.com instagram: Instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search "Wess Foreman, artist" music: "Nidra" by Quaro via http://freemusicarchive.org/ --Thanks!

climbing the crepe myrtle

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Wess Foreman

I'm nearly ready to call myself a two medium artist at this point. I've been playing around with water media lately (pen and ink/ink wash/watercolor/gouache/watercolor pencils . . . yes, the wide gamut of water media). I still don't think of myself as an expert, but I must admit a great fondness for it when it works---and it doesn't always work, mind you.

I started playing with watercolor first and found it a bit difficult and didn't like the restriction of using only the white of the paper as white . . . in other words, I prefer to work more sloppily and fix my mistakes later on. So I added a white gouache to my watercolor palette---this improved my enjoyment (and success) tremendously. But moving from watercolor to a full gouache compliment was the moment, for me, of true bliss. I love it. It gives you the watery feel of watercolor but adds the ability to correct mistakes and add opaque details later on rather than having to preserve details throughout the painting process. Not to mention the ability to add dramatic darks and vivid colors quickly without layers and layers of glazes.

Climbing the Crepe Myrtle, 13.5x7.5", $125

So, I will be doing more of these gouache paintings going forward. I may even get around to putting mat board around them and selling them one of these days. We'll see. Thanks for checking in, and if you want to see more of my painting process, check out my Instagram feed!

painting process: cooper

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Wess Foreman

This was a recently commissioned pet portrait of a Boston terrier named Cooper. If you're interested in commissioning a painting of your own, see my pricing page for more info. Enjoy!

This was a recent commission of a Boston terrier. I like how it turned out. Enjoy! website: wessf.com (interested in commissioning a painting?) instagram: instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search, "Wess Foreman, artist" music: "The Complex," incompetech.com

where the Harvey meets the Mississippi

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Wess Foreman

This mural-size painting (anything that can't fit in my van without rolling up, I'd consider mural-size) was done as a commission for an office in Covington, Louisiana. The title I've given it is the subject matter, as is often the case, and this view can be seen from the interstate traveling through New Orleans. It's not an accurate depiction of the location---I mean, it's generally accurate but the specific details have been rearranged and reinterpreted and re-imagined (for no other reason than as a shortcut, I suppose).

I'm happy with the results and looking forward to doing more large paintings in the future---want to commission one for yourself? My email address is wess@wessforeman.com or you can use my contact page. Let me know what you have in mind!

Where the Harvey Meets the Mississippi, 5'x7.5', N/A

Louisiana artist, Wess Foreman, paints a mural-size canvas of the Harvey Canal in New Orleans. website: wessf.com instagram: instagram.com/wessforeman twitter: @wessf facebook: search for Wess Foreman Artist *music by my brother, Matt Foreman

paysage energique

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Wess Foreman

These four imagined landscapes were born of an energetic series of painting sessions wherein I had the idea to make these four canvases work as individual paintings and as a group. Together they form a rather fantastical, fiery copse of trees, an arrangement I could only call an energetic landscape (or "Paysage Energique" in french).