Yahoooooooooooo!
 

Linda,

Flattery will get you everywhere. As far as I know there still may be an opening for president of the Marvin Mattelson fan club.

My favorite movie moment is in "Dr. Strangelove" when Slim Pickins finally gets the stuck bombardier doors open and euphorically rides the A-Bomb to oblivion, "yahooing" like he's on a bucking bronco. This is what I imagine it's like for many students when they finally break through and see the light.

Marvin,

I also like scene just before the "yahoo" moment when Slim Pickins was still in the cockpit going through his emergency ration kit.

Slim Pickins was also a painter. A few years back I was wandering through a gallery in Kerville, Texas and discovered some of his work. I don't remember that much about it, but, I will never forget him as the pilot of that B52. What a great name ... Slim Pickins.

Oh yeah, thats a real nice painting you got there pardner.

Gorgeous! I particularly like the reflected light.

Marvin! This is an image of a crazed man hurtling through space at horrific speed to his certain, gruesome death! We must find some other analogy for your students to anticipate. :)

Yaaaaahoooo! To You Too!
 

Believe me, Marvin has the image and the feeling right! Slim Pickins character excepted the facts, rode it out with enthusiasm, and went out in glory : That is an acceptable analogy. When you come out of one of Marvin's workshops it feels a lot like that! You wonder to yourself, "What was all that other stuff I learned"? And "What on earth made me think I was painting in the past"? The site of a blank white canvas used to taunt me and intimidate me, now I can't wait to tone them. Painting has definitely become less of a struggle with Marvin's method!

Mike, thanks for the compliment, but didn't you know that everybody's an artist? Most of the galleries I go into offer nothin' but slim pickin's.

Thanks Michele, I believe that reflected light is a great opportunity to bring color into a painting while leaving the lights clean and avoiding a muddy look. As long as the reflected light value stays in the shadow realm you can really push color.

Linda, I view at it as a good example of the "when life gives you lemons make lemonade" philosophy.

Lynn, are you ready for two weeks of portrait boot camp? I'll be bringing Nora (the painting) with me to my demo, lecture and workshop next week. I'm afraid to bring it to my critique session. Just kidding!

Even Mora Nora, Fiona!
 

Nora (the painting)? I won't tell anyone!

Can I bring my sandals to boot camp?

I will be glad to meet Nora! People around Atlanta can come meet her too!

Marvin,

Thanks for posting your demo. I always enjoy viewing unfinished pieces to get a look at the creative process that goes into artist's paintings. I'd be very interested in your alla prima demo painting, as that would seem a huge departure from your normal technique. Have an awesome workshop next week. Ok, I think it's about time I rent Dr. Strangelove...

Holly