Paintings by Ethan Cranke

For all collecting/price inquiries, my email account is: ArtByEthanCranke@gmail.com

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Today's Alla Prima Features My Beloved Professor and Mentor Bruce McGaw


"Bruce"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil On Bristol Vellum
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Gesso
2010

I remember when we first met, it was for my merit scholarship interview, in 1997. I was a young and insecure lad, who was afraid that I'd be considered a fraud; irrationally thinking that my work might not be considered valid, that I didn't deserve the title "artist." I carted my work into the room, sprawling it out on the floor and leaning it against the walls. He shook my hand, and gazed deeply. I think that we were alloted 20 mins., other kids were waiting outside. Next thing I know, we've been chatting and really hitting it off for a while, the person in charge of ushering the students came in and mentioned that other people were waiting. "Let them wait! And don't interrupt us again!" He said. We talked about art, poetry, philosophy, life, the Beats (discovering that him and my folks had been friends with the same people back in the day; e.g. Neal Cassidy (a close friend of my father's), Kesey, Ginsburg, etc.). An hour and a half later, we emerged from the room! He hugged my parents and told them that they'd raised a wonderful son. Needless to say, I was aglow. From theretoforward I swore that I would be sure to spend my life as an artist, and would never shy away from admitting to it again.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Today's Alla Prima Features The Exceptionally Talented and Beautiful Caroline Nevin


"Caroline"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped With P.V.A Size and Gesso
2010

Here is a link to Caroline's art blog. Check her out, you won't be disappointed. We share similar aesthetic tastes. : http://carolinenevin.wordpress.com/

Friday, July 23, 2010

Just Me and My Mirror



"Portrait of My Distorted Reflection II"
18 inches X 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped with P.V.A. Size and Gesso
2010

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Distorted Self-Reflection: A peek into how I approach the alla prima process, when painting a portrait.

Motivated by my "Blasts From The Past" post, I decided to get back into painting these alla prima portraits, on at least a semi-daily basis. Still working on my larger paintings, this gives me an outlet for experimentation and spontaneity. I thought that I'd give folks a look into the alla prima process, that is, in how I approach the alla prima process. Stopping to take pictures, certainly slowed me down a little, but I think that it was worth it. I might still go back into this one, to give it a more refined look; but for now, this series of photos will give you an idea of how I work around the painting. Enjoy.






"Portrait of My Distorted Reflection"
18 inches x 12 inches
Oil on Bristol Vellum
Prepped with P.V.A. Size and Gesso
2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Some Blasts From The Past

I thought that I'd share something that's a little distant from what I'm doing now, but that I equally adore. This is a selection from a series of daily alla prima portraits (from life) that I did back around 2003 or so. All were done in oil, on bristol vellum, prepped with gesso and p.v.a size.

"M"
14 inches x 11 inches


"S"
14 inches x 17 inches


"D"
14 inches x 11 inches