Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Hip Hop Bebop...



Hip Hop Bebop
watercolor, 12" x 12"
Chris Beck

I've been wanting to use these crazy salt shakers since I bought them a couple of years ago, but just didn't have a well-formed idea of what to do with them. A few weeks ago, I did some serious brainstorming and discovered I had the perfect set piece in Frogs, which has been tucked away on my bookshelf for years. Take a minute to check out the central illustration on the book jacket -- I couldn't have special ordered a more fitting scene!!

As we come to the end of the year, I'm going through the flat file drawers and pulling out a few paintings that I set aside because I ran into problems and needed a break from them. I have a bunch of new things on the to-do list as well and I'm looking forward to a creative and fun new year.

Happy New Year to all of you -- I look forward to sharing more art and artists with you in 2012!!
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27 comments:

  1. kathleen BallardDecember 28, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Chris,
    Those froggy guys are just wonderful! I love their lily pad hats! Play on!
    Happy New Year!
    Love, Kathleen

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  2. Studio at the FarmDecember 28, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Chris, the painting is perfect! And those salt shakers are absolutely adorable.

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  3. Chris BeckDecember 28, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Thanks, Kathleen and Kathryn -- glad you liked my goofy frogs!!

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  4. Mary PaquetDecember 28, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Chris, just love them. Your toy, shaker, fun object series is such a delight. Your skill with the brush is superb.

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  5. RH CarpenterDecember 28, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Perfect little froggie band and a director, too :) What fun this is and so creative. Happy 2012!!!

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  6. debwardartDecember 28, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Very cool idea! Your paintings often tell a story, glad you pointed us in the right direction on this one. Great way to end the year and start a new one!

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  7. Guy MagallanesDecember 28, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Did you get to use your Frog Tape on these little beasties? What fun you bring into the world.

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  8. Chris BeckDecember 28, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Thanks, Mary -- I'm glad my obsession with toys and shakers is greeted with pleasure!!

    Rhonda, these silly froggies are only very distant cousins to the hoppers you raised last summer, but any frog is a good frog in my book!!

    Deb -- glad you enjoyed the story!! I had a lot of fun with this one.

    Thanks,Guy -- I'm happiest being silly (in a good kind of way, you know?) -- but no Frog Tape -- I completely forgot about it!!

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  9. ZelmaDecember 28, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Chris,
    I love the painting!
    Happy New Year!

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  10. Chris BeckDecember 28, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Thanks, Zelma -- Happy New Year to you too!!

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  11. Ron MorrisonDecember 28, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Good work, Chris! Thanks for all your efforts to promote watercolour and watercolourists...and including me on BPW...

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  12. Chris BeckDecember 28, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Thanks, Ron -- and it was a pleasure to share your work on my blog -- wonderful subject and technique!!

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  13. AnonymousDecember 28, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Hi Chris, What a fun, festive, delightful composition! You must have had fun painting it. Most excellent!

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  14. Lorraine Watry, NWSDecember 29, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Chris, this is wonderful! They are so comical. Sometimes it pays to let an idea germinate!

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  15. Chris BeckDecember 29, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Thanks, Peggy and Lorraine -- I had a great time with this painting from start to finish -- definitely kept me smiling!!

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  16. Deb WatsonDecember 29, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    What a way to start the new year, with a great painting!

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  17. Chris BeckDecember 29, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    Thanks, Debi -- you've done some amazing work yourself in the past few weeks!!

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  18. janiceDecember 31, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    The frogs are absolutely charming! You may struggle with how to set up your paintings, but you always find the perfect environment for your "critters." Thanks for sharing them.

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  19. Chris BeckJanuary 1, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    Thanks, Janice!! This was definitely an enjoyable painting to plan and to paint!! A bit more to my taste than urban landscapes!! ;-D Enjoyed meeting you last year and hope you're painting away!!

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  20. Sherry Pierce ThurnerJanuary 7, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    I adore these critters, and the painting, of course! Everything about it is appealing, the composition, the color choices and the subject. THank you for the morning smile.

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  21. Chris BeckJanuary 7, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    Thanks for the comment, Sherry -- glad I could brighten up your day!!

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  22. Sunny Avocado ArtJanuary 10, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    Wow! They're great...still love the ducky best though. :)

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  23. Chris BeckJanuary 11, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    Glad you like them, Sunny!!

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  24. Steve sculpts crittersFebruary 7, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Love those froggies!

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  25. Chris BeckFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    Thanks, Steve -- much appreciated -- you're the man when it comes to wonderful frogs!!

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  26. KaraJuly 11, 2012 at 7:21 PM

    I've followed your Blog(s) for quite some time, and just had the privilege of seeing this painting in real life at the Trans Watercolor Society Show in Kenosha, Wisconsin ... one of my favorites there!

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  27. Chris BeckJuly 11, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Kara, how nice of you to let me know that!! I'm so glad you like the froggies and pleased that you got to see them in person. The TWSA show is really special -- lots of wonderful paintings. Glad you enjoyed it!!

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