I started this painting totally different than my usual procedure. I sketched it in in colored pencil and painted on top of that. I like the results, but it was a lot of effort for a painting that is not significantly better than what I have been doing. I feel like the drawing did not keep me from keeping it loose which can happen. What really caught my attention with this image is the crossing lines and lovely design. I didn't wanted to reproduce the flowers in detail but give an impression of what they look like in a glance. It took me a while to figure out how I wanted the background sky to look...but I like how it looks now.
I have been traveling for a couple of weeks. Now I am home and back to painting, so I warmed up with these little poppies. It is hard to jump back in with confidence, but that is what is necessary. I made a fun discovery when I got back. I had not scraped my palette before I left and was getting ready to do that. I cover my paints with little cups called "Paint Savers." A while ago I had glued pieces of felt to the inside of them and applied a drop of clove oil to keep the paints soft between sessions. When I took off the covers after about 2 1/2 weeks of them sitting, the paint was still fresh...not even glooey. It is important not to mix clove oil with the paint, or even get it on the paint brush, because it will not allow the paint to dry on the canvas or panels, but the fumes will keep the paint soft for at least 2 1/2 weeks...so that is cool! I don't expect to have any issues with the painting drying, but time will tell. Also it is important not to use silicone or a
glue gun to adhere them because the clove oil will basically melt the glue, but I used Elmer's wood glue and that worked fine.
This is from a photo taken by Dreama Tolle Perry. She gave those of us who were in her online class, Dream Love Paint, permission to paint from it. Her painting passion is lovely vingettes with window boxes, flowers, shutters or her cat, Eddie. She encourages others to paint their passion. I can be pretty much all over the place in my interests, but mostly I like to paint little people. I like figurative work in general, but especially children and most specifically my grandkids or children of friends. I love the work of Karin Jurick who is able to capture people in the most relaxed postures imaginable. Her work is inspiring, and I am hoping to continue developing my style and subject matter to a level that is different than where I am at today. Doing daily paintings and studying, learning from others, and from past masters is a good way to grow.
This was fun to paint. Dreama's colors are so bright and joyful and she chooses images to paint that highlight those beautiful hues. I really struggle making straight lines though. I think I need to either avoid them or take a drafting class. It is a good thing that I do a limited number of architectural subjects!
I am a bit all over the place these last few days...back in the garden with this one. Kohlrabi is such an interesting looking player in the food group. I love the deep purple color of this one. The challenge for me on this painting was finding the balance between enough detail and keeping it loose. I also didn't find it easy to come up with the right colors for the hand and the background, even though I paint a lot of flesh. When I am conscience of the "rules" I always struggle. It really works better for me to not let my brain get in the way! Do you feel like that?
I don't know why, but I love painting radishes. Maybe the attraction lies in the gorgeous complimentary colors of red and green....maybe it is how round they are but have the funny little roots on the ends that make lovely shadows.....maybe it is the wilted greens that form such fun abstract patterns...don't know, but I love 'em.
First I must give my apologies to Dreama Tolle Perry because I stole her title. She is a phenomenal artist and writer and posted on her blog about those who are "Keeper of Beauty." I was doing this commission at the time I read her post, and knew that the owners of this lovely garden are one couple Dreama was referring to. There are a lot of details in this composition, but I wanted to tell the story of the architecture of the plantings, the allure of the koi pond, the babbling of the brook and bird songs, and the sculptural references. Unfortunately there is a glare on both sides of this photo, making the edges look washed out.
This is a commission which took me forever to frame. I don't know what I was thinking when I painted it in this diamond shape...sometimes doing something different backfires! Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out and am hoping the Browns feel the same way. They are such a beautiful family. I added the suggestion of a white fence to help ground the diamond shape. I think that works.
I think I am finally over the flu, although there are symptoms that appear to be very fond of me and want to stick around for a while. But, I went out today! I am itching to start new projects and paint up a storm, so I think all systems are 'Go!" The paintings I am posting this week are ones I did in Sept., plein air. I really hit the darks hard in these. I think that is because I was painting in bright light, as opposed to painting in artificial light inside. Since I am a neophyte at this process, I think my methods should improve with time. I don't think I will be like Eric Tobin or Peter Huntoon though, who paint outside all winter long. I was drawn to the bright light on the field behind the wall, and the setting which suggests children playing.
I had a need to do something really loose and leaning towards the abstract, I decided to do flowers using the dark background I have been using in the still life paintings I have been doing. Then using both a brush and a palette knife, with thick and thin paint, I just let myself go with it. I really like the suggestion of the flowers without defining them. It was a good exercise.
This is the second demo I did at Art In the Park. I found it difficult to paint, talk and promote myself and my work all at the same time. I kept this very loose and just wanted the overall feeling and impression. I applied the paint very thick and I really like that!
I like this painting because of the composition. The dark shadows are like an object in itself. I mixed purple with a very dark blue to get this color, but on the monitor it looks black. When I showed my husband, he commented, "Oh it's your mom." He is right, it does look like her, but she wasn't my model. It was from a drawing class I taught. I photographed this lady from a balcony, looking below to her. I am not completely satisfied with the skin quality or tones, so I will probably go back in and rework them when it dries a bit. I am scrambling to get everything together for a big art fair this weekend, so I my not paint every day, or like this one, it might be a bit rushed.
