One of my first paintings although not bluebonnets at sunrise was still a bluebonnet painting nonetheless and over the years I’ve never tired of painting them. If practice makes perfects, then I’ve had a lot of practice. A gallery owner who has specialized in selling theses favored blue Texas flowers told me I was one of the best bluebonnet painters living. I appreciate that.

With such a subject that has been painted frequently not only by me and other artists, it can be a challenge to represent them differently. After all they grow in a region known for oak trees and hills, so there’s going to be repetition.

So, here’s a scene with a slightly different color scheme than some I’ve painted even though the elements of oak trees, hills and bluebonnets are the same. I hope you enjoy the glowing sun casting it’s first rays as the day begins to awake from its sleep upon a field of azure notes.

“Bluebonnets at Sunrise” can be purchased through my eBay auction that will begin Sunday October 6th, 2019 6pm pacific time and ends October 13th. When live, you can access the auction by logging into your eBay account and then visiting this page to view active items. Hope you win!

So when does art become priceless? Recently a combination including one of my paintings, tropical storm Imelda and a comment from a client gave added meaning and answer to the question.

First, when you think of something as being priceless it generally means you can’t put a monetary value on the item under consideration. In art, you might call to mind something purchased for X millions of dollars by some museum or extremely wealthy individual and let’s face it, puts something like that out of reach for most of us. Thus, you might consider it a priceless work of art. On the other hand it could be something of insignificant monetary value, but priceless to you. Perhaps a masterpiece drawing done by your child given to you as a gift. You treasure it and would never think of discarding or parting with it even if it looked like a Picasso that was done while blindfolded.

A heartfelt message

A very touching scenario came about when one of my eBay clients won a recent painting. It so happened that it coincided that the painting was shipped and en route when tropical storm Imelda hit the South East Texas area inundating the region with torrential amounts of rain. Concerned for his welfare and family, I sent a message. My client’s reply was touching and gave a new perspective on the piece he purchased. The following is an excerpt.

“Thanks my friend. It has been a tough 24 hrs. I live on a hill in between the border of Labelle and Fannett TX. Fannett registered 32” of rain. All my neighbors were flooded except 2, they share the same hill that we are on. My sons friend who lives on the other side of the road, (name withheld) was killed this morning, trying to rescue some horses. A downed power line got him. It’s been a real sad time with all this. I have a neighbor that has throat cancer, we got him out, he is real fragile, it took about 7 hrs, but he is safe now in LA. (Louisiana) I did take some time, and had a reflection on that painting. I keep a screen shot of my favorite paintings. This one that I won is my all time favorite, because it’s like the area I grew up in, by Enchanted Rock, very similar to scenery on Crabapple Road in Gillespie County. I found a slice of solace looking at the photograph of the painting. Thanks, that is what your art is capable of doing.”

The Painting Arrives

Once mail delivery was able to be resumed and the painting arrived he said: ” I received your painting today. It was unbelievable as expected. Today was the first day we received mail since the storm. It was a great surprise. Thanks for everything and look forward to seeing more of your painting in the future.”

This is the painting  we are talking about called “Sky Drama.”

It would seem that in this instance my art brought something you can’t put a price tag on.  I so much appreciated his sharing his feelings. I’m honored.

Reworking an oil painting: Before and after photos. Which do you like better?

In composing a painting, sometimes there’s a hard to define problem in which the solution doesn’t come to mind until later. Sometimes, much later. Such was the case with Lapis Hues of Spring a 2013 bluebonnet painting that was shown in a gallery, but never sold. Looking at it once again with a critical eye there was now clarity as to why it would never sell.

Perhaps I was experiencing a dark mood when I painted it, and subsequently cast its ugly shadow onto my painting. It was supposed to be a beautiful sunny spring day in Texas. The painting did not give off that impression.

Finding a Solution: Sunshine and Openness

The problem wasn’t in paint application or detail or for that matter the basic composition. What was wrong is that the mood of the painting was off. It lacked the feel of sunshine and openness.

Here’s a little exercise for you. Look at the two paintings and notice the differences which are fairly apparent. Click the images for a larger view. But ask yourself, how do the changes you see support the idea of sunshine and openness? You’ll see more openings in the trees. Openings that give glimpses of the landscape further away. There’s more contrast and intensity of colors and a little more variety in flowers and a reduction of the cactus which seemed too imposing in the original image.

A Special Offer

Reworking a painting this long after it was first done is something I rarely do. So with that in mind I’m also doing something I rarely do is offering this William Hagerman signature painting at nearly half for what one this size retails for. Currently this revised painting is offered on eBay as a fixed price item of $1600.00. Normal price for a16x20 varies from $2700- $3000.

Update: This painting is now sold.

My best,

William

Years ago I learned to play on the piano an old song titled “Twilight Time.” A portion of the lyrics went this way: Purple shades of night are falling, it’s twilight time…” Those words fit well for my series of moody skies for my eBay auction ending Sunday March 19th 6 PM Pacific Time or 8 PM central. The endings are staggered by 7 minutes. These 3 paintings have a minimum bargain price bid of $39.00 each.

I enjoyed so much painting the last series of sunsets and sunrises I just had to do more but this time including the lesser luminary!  I hope you enjoy them. Click on the title of the painting to go to the auction or visit my profile page on eBay. Happy bidding! Of course click the image to get a larger view!

Contemplative Sunset 8×10 oil by Byron copyright 2017

Full Moon Rising 8×10 oil by Byron copyright 2017

Misty Moon 8×10 oil By Byron copyright 2017

Thanks for viewing and visiting my blog today!

Painting in a Series is often a great way to think about composition and different color schemes  as it applies to the same subject. In this case a series of sunrise and sunsets for my eBay auction ending Sunday evening February 19, 2017 at 8PM Central time.

My new Byron works for this auction are painted on linen panels and measure 8×10.

Minimum bidding starts at $39 for each of these paintings. Click on the titles under each image to go straight to the auction page. Hurry as the auction is ending soon.

Here they are!

This one is my favorite. Can’t you just imagine yourself along the banks and contemplating the beauty that surrounds you?

Morning Meditation 8×10

Another meditative painting at sunset. What’s that saying, “red sky at night sailors delight”?

Last Light 8×10

A complimentary color scheme. This has an old vintage oil painting look to it.

Evening Solitude 8×10

I wonder if the fish along this stream would be biting this foggy morning? I’d hate to cast a line and disrupt that beautiful hazy reflection of the sun! The fish will have to wait.

Morning Quiet 8×10

Happy bidding. Hope you win!

http://ebay.com/usr/hagermanart