My kind of Sunday

Working yesterday on my painting of Queen Anne's Square! What a beautiful morning. Forgot to bring my medium, remembered the sunscreen, soon I'll have it all together. Plein air season has arrived!

Not There Yet

I had toned this 30x30 canvas some time ago and laid in a dark generalized composition, which got turned to the wall until this morning. Inspired by painters like Rackstraw Downes, who return with a large canvas multiple times to a location, I loaded the car and headed down to Queen Anne's Square to see what I could do. It was a fantastic feeling with that big canvas, a sort of freedom came over me and I thought, "Just paint!" Listening to music with earbuds kept the passerbys at a distance and the time flew. Going back Friday- weather permitting.

Camping and Post Number 500

We went camping last weekend and despite the cool day and lots of fog, I was determined to paint. It's been way too long! I wanted to depict the classic Airstream nestled among the trees, being a part of its surroundings.

12x12 on panel. Just added a second image which is truer to the painting. Took the first with a lot of glare on the painting which washed out the color. Hmmm.
As I was updating this post, I realized it is the 500th time I've blogged! Nothing feels as good as being consistent with something that is important to oneself. Instead of thinking about doing, DOING is what gives me the deep satisfaction of really being in this process.  The results aren't what are most important, it's the showing up and doing the work. I appreciate everyone who visits my blog and takes the time to comment, it means so much to be part of this community! Thank you all.

Blue/Orange

Introducing color harmonies in the class I teach by using complementary palettes. Today is blue and orange. I'm including one view of the set up as well as my painting. 8x8

Approaching a Finish

Having made the adjustments in each area of this painting that called to me, I can now let it sit a bit, to see if it is finished. I don't want to fuss over it, but leave when there is still something left unsaid. Not to overwork it then, is my objective. This painting is 24x36, first in a series of Newport intersections.

Painting Along

I'm painting along, feeling good about what's happening in this painting, but want to activate the left side of the canvas. Shadows in the street? The bottom left corner shape with more hue and value? There is still a lot of work to do!

A Bare Start

I almost didn't post this because its the very beginning of a painting and EVERYTHING needs to be resolved. On the other hand, it's interesting to see the artists mind at work, how the bones of a painting are conceived.I began this from multiple reference photos that I took during the torrential rains we had earlier this week as I want to show a wide angle view. I have wanted to do a series of Newport intersections for some time now, this one is America's Cup Ave with Mill Street on the right. The park is Queen Anne's Square with Trinity Church at the center of the painting. 24x36