Emergence

 Emerging from a pandemic world

Clouds Move In 8x10

For two years I isolated myself in my house - creating and making art alone. I painted mostly landscapes (from photos in winter and en plein air in Summer). What do I have to say about my thoughts from these last two years? And how will artists emerge?

First, I am thankful that I was able to continue working as an artist these last 2 years. This time alone at home forced me to organize my studio and to finally take a class with a National Artist (online). For years I resisted taking online classes--the pandemic changed that! Online was a way to connect socially with other artists across the US. And honestly, classes went better than I would have expected, this was a fun, less costly way for me to meet with a National Artist (no hotel, no flight, only the upfront cost of class).

My first thoughts as the world shut down, early pandemic, were, "What can I do on my own?". The answer is that which I always do - PAINT!  Not having my weekly painting group and live models was a hard as my social life came to an abrupt halt. Initially motivation to get into the studio was a struggle. I very much missed my artist friends and our art conversations. Taking online classes helped as they forced me to paint. I was strongly encouraged to focus on painting and not on the "business aspects of art" --blogging, tracking art on spreadsheets, updating website, blog, FaceBook and Instagram.  Letting go of the business side ended up being easier than I could have imagined as I got tired of my computer and wanted to spend less time on it. 

Over these last two years my skills as an artist have grown, as have my art collection (available for purchase). I continue to focus on painting but I do believe that now is the time to get back to the business side of art to include tracking organizing and categorizing my paintings. While it’s still cold here, I soon will be ready to emerge from the snow into spring and plein air painting.

UPSIZE - choosing a larger canvas

 

Wildwing Reflection, 16x20

Recently I was challenged to paint a 16x20 painting --pretty large for me. Typically I choose 8x10 and 9x12 paintings, smaller in scale and easy to paint wet into wet. I painted this as an 8x10 and used that as a reference. One big change was to correct the water line --less curved more straight than I had painted in my study. These are my thoughts and lessons learned:

Painting large required more planning. I don't always draw and measure on my canvas--as I really love painting Alla Prima, quick and loose. For the 16x20 because of the large scale, I measured and planned. And I used a T-Square to keep my shorelines straight (I cannot paint a straight line).

I also had to map out my game plan as to how I would approach the painting (I like painting wet into wet). On Day 1, I used Trans Oxide Red with Gamsol to tone the canvas and once dried I used Trans Oxide red to put in the shoreline and trees, rubbing out the light areas of the trees. Design all set and done, next up paint!

The next day I pulled out my paint colors--I knew I would start near the top with the shoreline trees. I wanted to get the light and shadows in the trees. I mixed many greens. I also finished the middle, the orange "stuff" on the water. 

On Day 3 I wanted to add in the sky gradation as the wet paint touches the tree tops -- there is a whole push and pull of paint. I paid special attention to the shape of the trees/treeline against the sky. And I used a ton of paint on the sky. 

Day 4 I started on the tree reflections (vertical) and used lots of wet drippy green paints, very loose. I had planned and measured the lengths of these reflections.

Day 5 I started with the gradation of the water from dark (bottom) up to the tree reflections-- I used 8 blue gradations from cool and dark to warm and light. Eight! The merge of the reflections of trees against the water was delicate, again a push and pull. Once I had the water in, I put in the greenish water lilies in the bottom right. That corner needed something and these did exist in my reference pic. This was my longest day as this was the day I finished, the day I had to decide what to put in and leave out. There was more green "stuff" on the water but I didn't want the painting to get too confusing so I left those out.

Lessons learned when painting big:

• More PLANNING was required. I had to map out how I would approach the painting, especially since I wanted all edges to meet wet into wet.
• I tried to keep my colors wet (storing my green tree colors piles in a covered palette). 
• I used a separate palette for my sky and water gradation colors (yes I used two palettes). It was imperative to keep the sky colors clean and bright.
• I had to use a TSquare to keep my shorelines straight 
• My sky and water used a ton of paint, a huge worm of white paint and much Ultramarine Blue.
• Since I liked painting wet into wet I had to plan my approach as items that touched like sky and tree tops had to merge together to make sense. And I had to paint day after day after day to keep working on wet paint as I didn't want any section too dry.

Beautiful Fall Colors

Red Up Front, 10x8 SOLD!

 Yellow Orange and Red--I love the beautiful fall trees and they are fun to paint! In the past I have experienced falls where the weather cooperated perfectly for plein air painting -  times when  it was sunny and 60s or 70s. Not this year! This year has been cold and grey and cold again! 

Recently there was one day with bright blue skies (but it was still freezing outside), I went out and took some reference photos. I adore the blue skies against the colorful trees. I love this tree corner in my neighborhood where there are plenty of fun trees. I snapped a pic and it ended up being a perfect reference photo. 

My favorite tree is the orange red tree that is out in the front, I just loved the shape and color. I also loved the tree layers of red and yellow then green. This was so much fun to paint, my art friends call this a happy dancing painting and said that the yellow tree is leaning out to say hello. So funny!

When I posted this painting to Instagram a follower immediately stated "I want that." I could not be more pleased that this painting spoke to someone and led to a sale for me! A happy painting headed to a happy home (once it is signed and varnished). Thank you to my art followers and FYI there are lots of happy paintings awaiting new homes! 

But It Didn't Rain!

 A Chilly Fall Paint Out Weekend

Last weekend was FRESH 2020, a plein air paint out that I signed up for in September. Typically this Paint Out is in June but this year it was postponed/rescheduled to the first weekend in October. The weekend before it was 80s and sunny --oh I would have loved that weather for a paint out. 

Orange Pop 8x10

Right before our paint out there was a cold snap, the coldest weather of the Fall with FROST warnings! I wore thermals, layers, fingerless gloves, handwarmers, scarf and hat yet still my hand and bum were cold! Days started in the low 40s and it was chilly and breezy at the park--Brrrr!!!!!!! But it didn't rain and there were no bugs.

While I didn't like the weather,  I did love the pop of fall colors so that I could add touches of red orange and yellow to my typically green trees. The first day I struggled (which I did not like as I had prepared)-- I have been painting one hour 8x10 plein air paintings for weeks now. I'd assumed that quick paintings would really help me get the paint down at this event. I started with a 9x12 canvas and it took me some time to get the canvas covered--admittedly it was a complex scene of multiple trees, and a shoreline with water reflection. Still, I didn't like that it took me awhile to get the painting down--have I mentioned how cold and breezy it was? At the end of the day, because I was waiting for another painter, I took out a 5x7 canvas and did a quick sky painting. The sky painting was fast and fun with tons of wet paint on the clouds. Framing the cloud painting was tough as it was wet wet with tons of paint!

The next day dawned frosty and super chilly-- it was ridiculously cold when we started painting. However, I was more inspired because there was a fabulous orange tree reflection in the water and I loved that. The orange tree against the dark trees with orange reflection really spoke to me. 

In the afternoon I turned my chair and decided to paint a colorful island. I really liked the orange and red trees against the green trees and blue waters. I felt good about this painting too, particularly the reflections. This painting I did not put into this show, but I have entered it into another show (only 3 paintings could be entered in this event).

The critical keys to surviving this cold weather paint out included daytime layers, hot soups at home with hot tea followed by warm showers before bed... We artists can be thankful that despite the cold, it did not rain on us! Of course this coming weekend the weather will be back in the 70s-- I'm off to plein air paint! Yay sunshine and warmth!

Kudos to my fellow FRESH plein air art friends, you did some amazing works! All of the wonderful FRESH paint out paintings  can be seen here, take a look! 

http://milfordvfaa.org/fresh2020/

Ordinary Days of Beauty

With all of our vacations and travels cancelled this year we have been spending time alone at home.  I believe we all need little breaks from work - days that we stop and breathe, stepping away from computers and social media, even if its just one day. This fall my husband had to take 'use or lose' vacation days--and due to COVID we spent them at home.  In these odd times with restaurants closed and not many places to go, we decided to spend our ordinary day, a Monday, at the park. 

The weather cooperated and we spent the afternoon in the sunshine. I packed a picnic lunch and then I set up my painting gear while my hubby set up his hammock. My husband would read/nap and I would paint. It was sunny cool and lovely. Since it was a school day, it was not crowded - we had wonderful quiet lake space to ourselves.

For many artists, myself included, painting is reflective, calming and meditative -- that is so very true particularly when the weather cooperates for plein air. Once I get all my plein air gear set up and get the paints laid out, I feel a calm zen take over. 

What I loved in this composition is the lone yellow tree--the one bright among the greens. The yellow reflection in the water was so very colorful and appealing, it caught my eye right away. I also loved that I could add depth to the painting with the dark trees in the background and the water which recedes behind the peninsula. 

As you know, lately I have been doing timed paintings. I set my one hour timer for this 8x10 painting.  I am happy with the results of this one hour painting. When outside and in my calm zone, I can really "see" the colors and shapes. Here, the focal point is easy--hello colorful yellow tree. The rest of the trees and water are the supporting players. Sky and trees and water reflections are not boring subjects yet. 

This was a beautiful tech-free day full of quality time with my husband and my easel--I am thankful for every moment in these ordinary days of beauty.

 

Introspection and Creative Challenges

 

Three One Hour Sunset Paintings

Lately my art friends and I have been sharing our art via Zoom meetings. In the last meeting, I proudly shared a larger painting that I had worked on over multiple days. I worked on this particular painting in the studio and was happy with the outcome-- the tree reflections, clouds in the sky,  trees on the shore-- I felt I captured it all.  Might this particular painting be show worthy? Imagine my surprise when my fellow artists Oohed and Ahhed-- but not over my studio painting but over a one hour plein air painting. This signaled that I had some introspection to do -- are my more painterly and less planned paintings are more appealing? Perhaps I need to focus more on those? One hour verses the 10+ hours of work leaves me questioning myself. Where should I dedicate my time and effort?  

I decided to put away my studio paintings and instead focus on one hour studies. I set my phone timer once I am set up (paint out, brushes ready, canvas on easel) and the countdown begins! I try to put down the paint quickly--laying out masses of color, typically darks first. And then I work into the masses and try to build up to the details. If I want a few minutes more I set another 10 minutes; although, often I let the painting end when the timer goes off. 

What I like about the small paintings is that they are not time consuming. I like to see how far I can get in an hour. How much paint and composition I can get down on the canvas? There is no second guessing when you only have an hour to paint. I think I will continue these little quick studies for a bit.  Someday I will have to get back to studio painting and larger painting--that is in the back of my mind. 

I painted the three sunsets over three different days. I chose the sunsets as they are photos of the same place the same night within a few minutes of each other. I really love how the color brightens in the last painting. Sometimes it is nice to get to know a subject and for me lately it's all about sunsets.

Just Look Around

 Finding Art Inspiration Where You Can

Summer Petunias 9x12

I was ill the other day and it was completely unexpected; I was down and out--definitely unable to paint. My heart was broken because it would have been an ideal plein air day (70s sunny) and alas I was stuck in bed!

Needless to say, the next day I was feeling better. I was determined to paint although I did not want to push myself, I had to take it easy. Sunny and cool it was another lovely summer day, just gorgeous, I had to paint outside. I thought about going to the green space in my neighborhood but the lawn and maintenance guys were there--those blowers are loud!

Ultimately, I just wanted to paint outside, to enjoy the sunshine. In the cool morning, I had sat outside on my back deck enjoying my coffee and the quiet. I have flower boxes along the back deck filled with light and bright flowers and I am on a greenbelt (lush trees). I just had to look around, my subject matter was there all along. 

I set up my art stuff on my deck table. A tabletop easel, a paper palette and my plein air backpack (brushes paint etc). I was ready to go! With my patio umbrella my easel (and I) could be in the shade. I painted my flowers-those hot pink and pale yellow petunias against the dark greens of the trees. The flowers were lit by sunlight and the dark trees behind really helped bring the bright flowers forward. I was so thrilled to be painting--to be painting outside on this glorious summer day. 

I didn't get the opportunity to go to the park or to find the perfect plein air location but that is not what mattered on this day. This day was about the beauty of painting outside and finding that bit of joy. 

Maybe we all need to hit pause and Just Look Around--inspiration could be closer thank we think.