Winter Trees

 

I love a quick, loose paint on a misty, moody day.  The colors are more saturated in such light, and the subtle shifts in hue area almost ethereal.  The days have been so gorgeous, I feel we've had so little winter.  So, I'm soaking it in while I can.  Spring will be bursting forth sooner than I think!  Painting number 4808 in 4808 days. 

Rainy Day Barns

Starting my morning out with a leisurely cup of hot tea, I noticed how foggy the pasture was becoming.  Rain was not expected until after noon, so said the local meteorologist.  Pulling up radar on my phone, I could clearly see a large area of rain not far from me!  Jumping into action, I first donned running gear for an outdoor run with my trusty companion, cooling down with my quick paint in the field.  The run invigorates me - and really warms me up for the painting time to come in the cold and wet.  Worked like a charm, but the rain was already beginning by the time I started.  Well, I was plenty warm, so I forged ahead knowing I would have to stop if my panel got wet.  When in the rain, I tilt it downward, which keeps the water off until I can get that surface covered with paint.  Once covered, the oils paints repel the rain.  Uncovered, the rain repels the oils, and I'd have to give up or start with a dry panel.  The rain steadily increased, but I had plenty of time to get my painting finished before calling it quits.  Two rain paints this week - and I loved it!  Love capturing the mood of the day while standing in the midst of it - THIS is plein air!  Painting number 1863 in 1863 days.  Now for some hot tea, a warm blanket and watching the Olympics!

Winter Osage Orange

Dressed in layers, with a hot mug of tea at my side, I was toasty warm as I captured the icy landscape in oils!  The subtle color changes in the frozen pasture were a study in grays!  I first marked my scene with my brush - and realized I had not allowed my paints to thaw up in the house before heading out!  My white, which is thick anyway, was hard to move even with my stiffer brush!  I don't use mediums or turp, so with no way to thin the paint, I could only persist in the working of it, until it moved enough to fill the masses!  It worked out, it just took me longer than usual.  Now that I'm in the house, I see a couple of marks on that tree that should be tweeked.  Sometimes, I am SO mesmerized with my surroundings on site - I miss those little things!  What a gorgeous day!  Painting number 1861 inn 1861 days.

Turning Creek

When I realized the 67 degree morning was not going to last, I hightailed it to a favorite local painting spot.  Little did I know I would get caught in a deluge of rain - far from the car and without my rain gear!  I tried holding my palette cover over my palette to keep the rain out, but failed!  Thank goodness I was almost finished and the whole panel had paint on it!  Otherwise, I could not have continued!  Already wet, I pulled up my lightweight hood to keep the rain out of my eyes so I could quickly finish.  It had suddenly turned so dark, it was hard to see!  That cloud bank had come up behind me, and I was so tuned in, I never saw it coming!  It has been a long time since I've been caught in the rain - and I loved every minute of it!  This view was SO worth it!  Painting number 1858 in 1858 days.

Shades of Winter

Today I tried a new tone for the underpainting of my landscape.  I washed a cool blue (with shades of blue violet) over the gesso prior to taking it outside.  There are so many  warn browns in the landscape now, I wanted to add a little contrast below the paint, both in hue and temperature.  You can see little bits of it popping through - especially at the edges.  I pushed that color with added paint when dotting it around the landscape.  I like the energy!  Switching up a detail like this really allows me to stretch, pushing me to see things with fresh eyes.  It's ALWAYS a good thing to get out of one's box!  Painting number 1839 in 1839 days.

Winter Grapevines in the Fog

Another gorgeous, foggy morning - and I HAD to get out there and capture it!  These grapevines caught my attention yesterday, but the west pasture beckoned.  Today, these vines would not be denied.  I sketched the general composition quickly, then started laying paint.  Whenever I have limited time, I just let instinct take over and work as fast as I can.  This is painted with my limited palette, which ensures strong color harmony.  I used a limited palette exclusively for years with my acrylics in plein air, and I have really had fun getting back to that with my small pocket box set up!  I find I am going back to those limited colors even on my larger works lately!  Painting number 1471 in 1471 days :)

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Winding in the Mist

With the rain moving in and out again, we've had several soakings in the last few days.  I love the misty, moody atmosphere for painting!  Colors appear more vibrant, and ask is fresh and clean from the rain.  I have the tiniest painting window this afternoon, so I am choosing my panel accordingly - 5x7.  No time for a sketch, just some fast, quick strokes to get the job done, before I go pick up Tiffany's glasses and then the boys!  This is 1337 paintings in 1337 days :)

Winding in the Mist
Oil on panel, 5x7

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

Churning Water at Cave Point

Watching the churning water of Lake Michigan is as spell binding as staring into a campfire - I do not want to look away.  It beckons me to it's side, reaching for me like a lover.  The crashing melody of it's waves, lulls me into a trance as I paint.  So often, the process of painting fully engages my senses, leaving me unaware of my surroundings.  I am lost in the painting.  I must be careful here, the edge of the cliff is close and it is a long way down.  I don't think I could capture all of Lake Michigan's moods if I could paint here every day.  Painting number 1314 in 1314 days.

Churning Water at Cave Point
Oil on panel, 8x10
Door County, Wisconsin
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Misty Meadow

With a little time to myself, I jump right into a dreamy landscape in the back pasture. I was thinking of heading out to a local stream, but was foiled when Mike wanted to take my car to pick up the boys for a little shopping expedition.  With such a misty day - the meadow was ideal, the colors rich and atmosphere heavy.  I have painted this whole piece with two small flats that came in "myartscape" brush set.  They are keeping their form nicely.  This moody painting is the 1312th in 1312 days......or is it 1311?  I forgot to check, and am relying on my memory now - yikes!

Misty Meadow
Oil on panel, 6x6
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Waterside Illusion

Waterside Illusion
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

This dreamy illusion in watercolor is more of a feeling with paint than a place painted.  The strokes are watery and the forms illusive.  Is this waterside wonder real - or only a dream?  This is rather a different rendering for me, and it has been a soft and quiet adventure.  Sometimes the paints scream, and sometimes they only whisper.  This is painting number 1204 in 1204 days - and the Augusta Plein Air Festival begins tomorrow!!  SO EXCITED!!

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.

Whispering Water

Whispering Water
Oil on masonite, 18x24
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I have painted this secluded creek one other time in the early spring, when trees and brush were just sprouting forth their buds.  I love this location, it is so peaceful - and a hike from the road.  Just painting it again takes me right back to the spot. On this occasion, I am painting large from small color studies, adjusting as I go.  I don't remember if I've done this  before. I normally just paint the size I want from the beginning, but this one is the 9x12 kept calling out to me.....larger......larger.  Over the last few days, I have worked on this.  I really had the bulk of it finished the first day, but then let it rest until morning.  Well, that morning was Monday - and there is next to no wiggle room for me on a Monday, so I could only cast my eyes in it's direction....making mental notes.  Late this afternoon, while I still had natural light, I began to push the paint a little here and there.  It is night again, so I am letting it rest once again.  I believe I am finished, but will look again tomorrow with fresh eyes in the natural light.  This painting makes 1107 in 1107 days, and Day 14 in the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Serious

Serious
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I totally forgot to take a photo of my color study on this one, which is done in the first 10 minutes of painting.  So, the very first layer is nothing more than a block in of shapes and planes, with no real definition of features like eyes, nose or mouth.  After my block in, I had to get to Michael's guitar lesson, so I didn't get back to this for quite a while.  Once I started laying down strokes, I worked on the planes of the face and hair - getting the shapes right before I narrowed down to mouth, nose and eyes.  I found I was getting very tight with the brushwork, and once again, I had to actively think of getting loose with that brush!  It is so natural for me to push right into realism, but this month is all about impressionism in the portrait - so I will persevere!  Painting number 1050 in 1050 days :)

Gentle Reflections

Gentle Reflections
Oil on masonite, 10x8
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Another day packed with activity - sunrise to sunset!  Michaela has headed back to college, and the rest of the family has left.  So, as I come to my easel tonight, I am longing for peace and solitude - and my painting reflects that mood.  Not feeling like pushing the color, I am instead letting the soft colors of this misty, drizzly day reign.  I have used the brush completely, not even picking up the palette knife.  Now that my art fix is finished, it is time to unwind, and let the business of the day roll off me like rain. This is painting number 8 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge, and 981 in 981 days for me :)

Clouds Over the Marshland

Clouds Over the Marshland
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5 - purchase here

Another full day, all company has left, and bedtime has come and gone - I can return to my easel for my daily art fix.  Tonight, I am really in the mood for clouds - dark and full of drama.  The skies have offered up much inspiration these last days, and now I am committing them to canvas.  Only using two brushes, and my favorite palette knife, I have quickly captured this with broad, loose strokes.  And, this painting has a surprise underneath - one fourth of another landscape which I cut down to reuse the panel!  Waste not, want not - and now I must get my things ready for the paint out tomorrow! This is painting number 970 in 970 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.