Another private commission

This was painted as a commission for the couple at right.

I was able to warm up the tones from for a better appearance then the reference and darken the background to give more presence to the subject.

Due to the limited time for this project I utilized drying agents with the paint.

"The Veteran" by Gordon van Vliet

"The Veteran" 2009
Oil on canvas 16" x 20"


Commission by a daughter of her father who served in the US military during WWII and given to him for Father's Day .

Also showing the reference photo. This was a difficult task for me. Inventing the colors, change his shirt color and change his badges and bars to reflect a rank after the photo was taken all took time. I hope you enjoy the result.

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West To Montezuma

West To Montezuma 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

Attempt at capturing the sunset.

SOLD with frame.

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ABS No.1

This is the first Abstract that I am attempting. My thought on this image is a view from above the earth. Fields and smaller indications of life. Inspired by crop circles or mounds and similar contrivances.

20" x 20" oil on a deep 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas. SOLD

Last nights show was very good. Many patrons to see the 60 or so works each by a different artist. I spoke with many people.



This is an illustration piece done by Chara Dow, my niece. It was an assignment for her art classes at Monroe Community College. I like it a lot and think. Perhaps one day we will enjoy her work in print. Great job Chara.

If yo would like to see more of Chara's work, comment or contact me.

I won't be posting for a couple of days while I am out of town. Should be painting again on Monday night.

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"Jason"

"Jason" SOLD

Ah, Jason. Well he modeled for us on a Monday night and as you can see, he works out at the gym. I did 25 years ago and now have begun again on his inspiration.

I thought, "Am I a mouse or a man." So now I have been working out again since October. Slow but steady progress. Feels good. A little less fat and a little more muscle and general feeling of well being. Wish me luck in continuing.

This little painting measures 8 1/8" x 10 3/8" and can easily be cropped to 8 x 10 for a standard frame. Painted oil on canvas and also signed and dated upper right.





"Blood City", by Gordon van Vliet
coyright November 2005 all rights reserved
This piece was displayed in an art show during the spring of 2006. It is signed, dated and titled at the bottom. The work measures 5"w x 14"H inches oil on 1/4" hardboard. Available framed as shown with my own hand crafted solid mahogany frame.

$129.00 + $8.00 shipping to the USA. Foreign Buyers contact us for shipping and payment options.

Thank you for looking. Artist retains all copyrights of the artwork.

Blood is a metaphor of life flowing through our veins. Likewise, the life blood of the city are the individuals who inhabit it and are the city's motive force. First works are for survival, when secured, time and energy are spent on larger , more complex ideas. These ideas are represented as buildings and towers, finally a pinnacle soaring upward. As the towers are illuminated in the sun so too may an Individual reach great heights. All people are benefited from the such success.

Also represent here is the idea of the city as the center or natural result of separate individuals need of fellowship, society. This is a mix from those just surviving to those able to achieve further goals. I have always viewed the tower as an inspiration of what can be accomplished through productive thought and work.


SOLD "Wisdom of the Northwest"

This is a painting of a mask used in tribal ceremonies of the Indians along the upper Pacific coast of North America. This particular mask was once worn by a "medicine man" or "man of wisdom". In the old legends the bird was a symbol of hidden knowledge and mystery. The image is set against a dark background made with Raw Sienna, Black, and Ultramarine Blue.

Painted sold is on 16"w x 20"H triple primed canvas with 3/4" hardwood stretchers. The edges are stapled but painted like the background. It could be hung the way it is. I have also shown the framed example to give you an idea of how it could appear in a frame. I think a gold or dark gold "plein-air" type frame would suit it best.

I am considering additional works with this motif. Perhaps a triple canvas with multiple bird images that intersect for a nice 48" x 20" image or mounted separately as 3 distinct 16" x 20" images. Also a background with an abstract but geographically appropriate imagery.

Now Showing:
"Angelina" oil on canvas 16"W x 20"H. At the show.

This painting is available for $400.00. Contact me.

I will be at the opening reception of the Student Art Show at:
Steve Carpenter's Studio
176 Anderson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
585-758-1410

on Friday, March 28, 7 to 10 p.m.
The show runs March 28 – April 4, 2008 Gallery Hours: 1- 4 p.m. (closed Tuesdays)
There will be works by over 60 artists will be displayed.

Gallery directions on mapquest.

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"Tower over Schoen Place"

SOLD "Tower Over Schoen Place", bye Gordon van Vliet is a view from Schoen Place in Pittsford, NY (pronounced "Shane"). You can see the Coal Tower across the Erie Canal behind the shops on the towpath. Painted in the evening while enjoying the company of my friend Enrique and his lovely wife.

Painted on a canvas wrapped board with oils, painting will be signed and varnished. It measures 14"W x 11"H

If you are interested in this painting it is available at the BCC Gala in Rochester, NY. Being auctioned to help the children's chorus.

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Todays' Painting, "Whispering"

The painting today is another from the beans that are flowering. I planted these about the 2nd or 3rd week of August. They just have tiny beans now and with luck I will get a meal or two. At least they are fun to watch grow.

This one measures 5"W x 6"H on canvas. I call it "whispering". So many of the blossoms appear as small heads or skulls. So I am trying to capture them with imagined expressions or conversations. Here the two blossoms appear in close proximity to one another as if telling secrets. Perhaps, "Who's the bloke with the paint brushes?"

SOLD

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Today's Painting, "Great Blue Morning" Gordon van Vliet

Today's painting is newly titled "Great Blue Morning". The original title was "Summer Thoughts". SOLD

This was painted in July of 1992. After viewing some painting shows on television I was inspired to create three paintings from my imagination. The world inside of me, no photo or visual reference. So today I share this one with you. My thoughts were features from a midland beaver pond in the Rocky Mountain range of the United States.

If I were to do this oil painting today I would consider a lighter value background to give the allusion of distance and lighter shadows in the two main trees to de-emphasis the foreground. I would aso create midrange light at the heron.

All in all I like this painting. It is oil on canvas board and measures 18"W x 14"H.

I just figured out today how to turn of the date stamp on my camera so you will not see the date in the future images.

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