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Monday, July 25, 2011

An Image of the Mill

Heart of the Mill   14 x18

Here's my entry into the "Images of the Mill" competition. Though I think most will portray a distinctive tall red building that is on the mill grounds I was struck by the sun hitting an old millstone leaning against the side of the mill house. It created a formal composition of basic shapes that captured me. The rocks beneath the stucco seem visually complicated until you just think of them as spots of color. Forget what you are looking at and put down the spots. When you are done it will be a rock wall.

Detail: Heart of the Mill

Now to find a frame!


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Keep It Soft

The Clouds Roll In  8x10
Hay Days  8x10
 
Evening Falls  8x10
I have grown more interested in atmospheric effects as of late. Most of my works were concerned with the landscape and its varied appearances, but lately I have started to look up and see how interesting the sky can be.

I, also, have always painted in terms of sharp contrast and strong color. So with these three little studies I set out to keep the paintings soft and undefined for as long as possible. How much information can you convey without getting specific?

It turns out, quite a lot! These little paintings were done, almost exclusively, with a #10 flat brush. Only at the finish did I use a small round brush (#2) to make a few small lines and to sign my name.

*Tip: As long as you keep the edges soft, it is easy to make changes and suggest shapes. As soon as you put down a hard edge, you "pin it down". But, if a painting is all soft edges it can look mushy, and all hard edges can get boring. So beware of going too far in one direction or the other.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Daisies

I don't do too many flower paintings (hardly any) because they often seem too sweet or pretty. But to do one is not easy! Here's a quick study of daisies that I found growing out in the pasture. I find that it is very hard to avoid cliche's when doing flowers. Especially when dealing with daisies!

Daisy Study   6" x 8"

Monday, July 11, 2011

I Got an Award!

Kennesaw Pair    9"x12"
This weekend I entered this painting into an art show in the area and got an" Honorable Mention"! I'm so encouraged and wish I could paint all day, but......every time I put something down I lose it and this lets me know that the clutter has gotten so bad around here that it is beginning to act as camouflage. So today I clean up, then tomorrow I will paint. I always feel more relaxed and creative when my studio is straightened up anyway.
Maybe next time it a blue ribbon.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Plein Air in Carversville

I and three friends from the workshop that I recently took traveled to Carversville, PA and we spent a morning and part of the afternoon painting and enjoying the out of doors. We stopped to eat lunch at the General Store and had such a pleasant day we are going back again next week.



First order of business, Gather up all the gear. Pochade box, paints, brushes, medium, tripod, chair (if I need it. I usually paint standing), dry carriers, and camera. What you don't see is my big hat and sunblock (essential!).

We met in town, scoped out the area, and found lots of painting material.









Streams and woods.















A stone bridge crossing the stream.












A heavily backlit red barn.

Ok,ok,.....I know everybody and his brother has painted a red barn. But, the building adds structure to the chaos of nature and I like the backlighting. Never tried that before.








So I painted it!

In 1 1/2 hours I gathered enough info to paint a larger work if I wanted to, and though the shapes are somewhat awkward, it was the light I was concerned with and I am happy with what I learned.




No, she's not doing a painting of the back of her car.

When you can find a spot where you can use the back of your car as a taboret it is luxury plein air! Having a hatchback works great, too.    *Tip:You can actually paint in the rain with canvas and paints in the back, while you stand under the hatchback door.....unless you are super tall.



Painting the back of the Carversville Inn.










The light on a stone bridge was dramatic.








   In the afternoon the bugs descended and all the Off! in the world couldn't keep them away, but all in all, not a bad day!!