Inspiration in the Heavens

As we left the theater this evening, I was surrounded by beauty in the heavens.  In every direction, a glorious show bombarded my senses!  The view to the south showed the approaching storm, and the distant thunder confirmed it.  I started laying paint quickly, getting all lights and darks marked.  I talked to my parents on speaker phone during the entire painting - and then realized it was too dark to get a photo outside!  Darn.  It would have been dramatic.  Painting number 1336 in 1336 days.

Inspiration in the Haevens
Oil on panel, 10x8

Water Lilies

Water Lilies
Oil on panel, 14x11
purchase here

This is the second painting of the Stems event that I began with a dark primed panel, as in one I would normally use for nocturnes. In such a dark scene, I think it may easier to simply work towards the light.  In the case of this painting, I had the grandsons with me - and I was VERY distracted with the whole "boys being boys" thing! By the time Michaela finished her painting and took the boys to play by the train garden, I was nearing completion.  It took me twice as long to finish this painting as it should have.  To get the boys used to this whole "plein air" thing, we are now scheduling family plein air days.  This painting is the 1254th in 1254 days.

Moody Skies

Moody Skies
Oil on masonite, 6x6

As I went about my busy day, this painting was floating around in my head!  The cold front was moving in, bringing with it such beautiful, dark clouds!  Seeing such beauty, and being unable to get right to it with my paints, stirs something up in my soul - like an urgency that simply must be met!  When I finally made it to my easel, I had already planned out the masses in my head.  It is like I had already painted it in my mind, and all the brush had to do was follow what was in my memory.  I’ve read how menial tasks and mindless chores really are supposed to heighten later artistic expression.......perhaps there is some truth to it?  Who knows, but I was in such a hurry, I didn’t even prime my panel as I normally do!  Painting number 1137 in 1137 days.

Billowing Clouds

Billowing Clouds
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

I started this painting in acrylics last week, and was quickly frustrated with the progress!  I almost never experience this - but when I did, I thought, “Why waste time working on this, when I can start something else more satisfying?”  Better to cut my losses than spend more of my valuable time in frustration.  So, after effortlessly dropping one skyscape off the brush, I returned to this one and topped it off with oils.  I really feel the creamy, rich, buttery oils are the perfect compliment to clouds and sky, and they add a texture to the masses that is hard to top. I have mainly used my brushes here, though I intended to use my knives. This painting makes 1133 in 1133 days.

Sailboats on Blue Water

Sailboats on Blue Water
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

I spent the morning lazily with Mike, then I went to my daughter’s house to get her help with a problem I’ve had with blogspot the last few days.  Returning home late afternoon, I then had chores to do before the Super Bowl, and next I spent all afternoon reading my 6th grade diary!!  I was SO goofy at 12 years old!  It looked like I’d frittered away my painting time.  A  moody sky was drawing me in, and so I began.  I was  very quickly in the zone, and moved from painting to painting - finishing 4, including one that had dodged me two days ago!  Perhaps, I was truly channeling my 12 year old self - and painting with the wild abandon of youth.  This painting makes 1132 in 1132 days.

Winter Whisper

Winter Whisper
Oil on wood panel, 7x5
sold

This painting has a secret behind it - another landscape in acrylics!  Running low on primed painting surfaces, I went through a few older paintings.  A spring landscape from 2010 is no more, but this is SO much better!  All of the colors from the first painting only enhance what is put on over it - and today I am embracing a brooding atmosphere before sunrise.  I love the very early light before the sun when it starts to illuminate the planes.  I am having so much fun painting winter!  Painting number 742 in 742 days and Day 11 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.