Seth B Minkin's profile

The Tackle Box

Seth B Minkin
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fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
After selecting and sketching a wide variety of objects, the composition is mapped out and the framework is created using charcoal.  The canvas is first prepped, then the finished drawing is spray fixed to set the material.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
The next step is the background.  For this painting, I wanted to be sure to keep the paint quality fresh and light, to give the look and feel of water.  Once the background is painted in, the objects really begin to materialize.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
Two little fishing lures still in the drawing phase, but with the light, watery background painted in.  To achieve this affect, I allow gravity to do the majority of the work as paint is dropped, sprayed, and thrown.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
At nearly 3' x 5', this piece is certainly a substantial size, but the many little objects within the box required a meticulous attention to detail.  In many cases, the project required creative alternatives to the tools I typically work with.  In this shot, I'm using a Q-tip; a technique I picked up while working on The Silver Sardines.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
Hook, line, and sinker.  This detail exhibits the wonderful contrast created by choosing to keep the background in a loose, painterly state, while developing and refining the objects within each box.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
These two lures resemble tiny cousins of The Chinese Dragon; a recent painting whose colorful scales and rich palette are echoed once again here in minute, yet surprisingly familair detail.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
While drawing is a very important part of the initial phase of my process, the finishing touches often involve more work with lead and charcoal.  This technique sharpens details and helps to define the edges of objects.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
Here I'm working on my favorite new process, which involves using lead over charcoal.  The lead is carefully worked into the charcoal until a burnished, embossed effect is achieved.  The end result is highly reflective.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
This photo was taken at an angle to show how light dances off the surface of the lead and metallic materials. 
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
This closeup exhibits the intensity of the gold paint, and the reflective nature of the embossed lead.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
I decided to allow the initial notes and sketch work to show through in select areas.  If you look closely, you can read the words 'Carolina Rig' in the upper center section of this detail. 
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
Zippos, scissors, and parker pens.  I customized one set of lures to resemble the parker pen; an object I have consistently tucked into paintings from time to time over the years.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
The many, many sardines I've painted in recent months have had a very big, successful influence on this painting.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
Another angled photograph picks up the Zippo's silver and the reflections from the green lure's swivels.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
I call these guys the gummy worms.  They are the perfect pairing of whimsey and sophisticated crafstmanship. 
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
The Tackle Box in it's completed state.  I've included two shots in slightly different light.
fishing lures tackle bait fine art seth b minkin minkin seth b minkinstudios 500 harrison ave boston art contemporary art oil on canvas marine paintings ocean art new england artists
The Tackle Box
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Seth B Minkin's profile

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Seth B Minkin's profile
Boston, MA, USA

The Tackle Box

The Tackle Box 36" x 54", oil on canvas. This piece is a fabulous conglomeration of a variety of projects and commissions I have created over the Read More

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