Clouds Over the Road

Clouds Over the Road
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

Another warm, beautiful day!!  I was driving Michael to his guitar lesson recently, when this glorious scene spread out before us!  We are on high ground when we cross over the highway, and so often a glorious sky requires my immediate attention!  This sky scene is one of four I painted late one evening, when I was completely in the zone!  I simply MUST take advantage of such times!  I did tweak the road a bit after I thought I was finished, pushing in a slight curve for a better composition.   Artistic license is a wonderful thing! I was in such a hurry today, that I did not even stop to prime my canvas before painting!  That is what happens when I can't keep ahead of myself!  Painting number 1144 in 1144 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.