Going Home

Going Home
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

I had limited time to work on this painting, in between the busy appointments of my day.  I worked quickly to block in the color, and I put a little more finish into those masses - as I was thinking ahead without realizing it.  I must say, these figures grow more natural by the day!  This is another painting from my reenactment photo treasure trove, and I am having so much fun painting these!  As I look at this now, I may have put a little more polish on the horse than necessary, and perhaps I need a little more definition in the foreground.  As it is already getting late, I will let it rest for the night, and look again with fresh eyes in the morning.  This painting makes 1168 in 1168 days.

block in

After the Ride

After the Ride
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Oh, what a very busy Monday this has been!  I’ve squeezed so much into this day, my head is spinning!  Coming to my easel late (once again), I resist the urge to paint something easy and fast.  Staying on track, I choose another of my reenactment photos, this one with three figures - a man and two horses.  I start with a color block in of the forms, but in my haste I forgot to take a photo of the block in!  The values are always the most important part, so I work them into this first step, making all else that comes after a breeze.  The forms unfold naturally as I dry brush on the acrylics.  I am using a limited palette, and no medium or water to thin down the heavy body paints - which is what makes these paintings so rich with color.  My palette is almost to the stage of replacing the paper layer in my sta-wet palette......but I always stretch this out as long as possible!  Painting number 1167 in 1167 days.

Unpacking the Horses

Unpacking the Horses
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Yesterday’s block in was the hardest one yet, but today I’ve turned a corner.  This block in seemed to unfold in such a natural way.  It was another complicated composition, and this time, I started with the mass of the dark horse and rider, and treated them as one.  As their angles came together, I connected the masses of the other two white horses.  I considered changing the color of the right one, since white is a questionable color to have going off the edge, but I liked the color - and kept it.  I simply grayed it down, so the bright white would not lead the eye right off the panel.  The landscapes were also a little awkward in acrylic at first (since I always use oils en plein air), but I am also getting more comfortable with them.  I am trying to paint multiple figures each day, all month long, and then see how far I’ve come by month’s end.  Just imagine if I can squeeze in 100 figures this month - what a long was that will go towards improving my skills!  Painting number 1166 in 1166 days.

block in

Waiting in the Bay

Waiting in the Bay
Oil on canvas, 6x4

While in Door County, all around the peninsula boats came into the harbor, tying up for an evening in town.  As the sun begins to set, the wind dies down and a calm settles over the bay.  The hustle and bustle along the coast are gone, as sounds from the coastal restaurants and pubs begin to rise.  What a wonderful life, to live near water’s edge, and simply sail to another town for dinner!  This is number 12 in September’s 30 day challenge and this painting makes 985 for me in 985 days :)

Letting Out the Horses

Letting Out the Horses
Oil on panel, 12x9
purchase here

Once in a while, we have a "paint-in" at our Tri-County Art League meeting - and that was today!  We all bring a dish to share for lunch, and bring whatever we want to work on, and just paint and visit. This is what I worked on today - one of my reference photos from our reenactment.  I really felt like leaving the strokes loose and impressionistic as I pulled away from the focus of the horses and boy, even softening those edges as I approached the perimeter.  It is a good thing I left this in the trunk while the giant puppy was still out - because he tackled me like a linebacker when I got home - and this painting would have been ALL KINDS of impressionistic! Just another day in paradise - painting number 780 in 780 days :)

Harbor Morning

Harbor Morning
Oil on panel, 11x14
Egg Harbor, WI
Door County Plein Air

Early in the morning, we headed out to Egg harbor, straight across the peninsula from where we were staying at Kangaroo Lake.  This was my very first paint for the week.  We arrived before the crowds and traffic, while the waters were still.  The weather was SO much cooler up there than in Missouri, more like a fall day than the last week of July!  Cool winds blew in off the water, relaxing me with every soft touch.  It is so tranquil painting by the water - so peaceful are the ripples along the beach.  The pale yellow hollyhocks in the foreground seemed to have grown up out of the rocks as volunteers.  They are everywhere up here, as if the seeds blow in the wind into wild locations.  The sailboats in the distance rocked peacefully to and fro.  What a wonderful place this is to paint!  I only wish I had more time!  This is my 209th painting in as many days :)