There is a bit of a glare on the photo. Don't you just love the colors of fall? I snapped a photo of these mums and pumpkins at the Champlain Orchards when I went apple picking with my neighbor, her 4 year old son, and her mother from Romania. I might also say for the record that they are the best neighbors ever and we are all excited about the soon to arrive addition to their family. I painted this loose and it has a a bit of a jigsaw puzzle look that I like.
Wrong time of year, but I have been wanting to do this painting for a while. The beauty of painting from photos is that you can capture the image any time you want. Also, there is the advantage of not having to haul an easel, paints, etc., etc., around with you. The disadvantage is in not being there in the changing light with the sounds of nature and wind and breathing in the beauty of the experience. When I paint from photos, I use them as inspiration and almost always change them by adding things or subtracting or rearranging. I am grateful to feel confident to do this now. When I first started oil painting I was a bit nervous about adding or subtracting. Now it part of what I look forward to. It is the exciting part. The setting of this painting is a local sugarhouse. I will let you use your imagination to guess what I changed about it.
Gourd Painting acrylic
I also painted this gourd, which I will now varnish. It is about 15" tall. I did one last year and I really like painting these, so I might make an effort to get more. They are gooseneck gourds which is why I painted it like a weird bird. The design was inspired by my love for my family with symbols which give a nod towards some of the things we love doing together.
Coming out of the fog of 4 days without electricity, internet or telephones. It is really beautiful here..kind of like a magical winter wonderland, but there is a harsh side to the reality. One that requires preparation...a generator, woodstove, lanterns and down comforters. Once those things are taken care of, our attitudes can switch from "what we don't have" to "what an amazing place this is!"
I am getting caught up but also need to paint ahead because I will be going to a Randall Sexton workshop and also one with Susan Abbott. Life is good...but when it is so busy, time sure flies. As I get older, I find I want to slow down my days and savor them. Not sure that is possible yet.
I have been traveling a lot. I just got back from 2 weeks of sand, sun, surf and family and it was wonderful, but I did not look at art, paint or draw. I thought about it, but that is all. I am suppose to be doing Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and it is a great way to get myself motivated, but I am already 8 days and 7 paintings short! So, now that our official family vacation is over, I am moving into fall mode. I have a couple of commissions to finish, and really wanted to choose a theme to do for the month, but I think it will be a hodge-podge (hotchpotch) of subject matter. I also was going to do images for a children's book I am thinking of illustrating, but I think I need more focus to attempt that. I have called myself a daily painter for a few years, but I really need to get back to that to claim it. Life is just so full of fun and sweet things to do! This painting is for sale so contact me if you are interested.
