I have been struggling with an intense cold but I still manage to paint. No holding back now! This abstract is one that I keep visible while I work on other paintings. I keep painting on it in increments but only adding what I feel it needs and no more. In a way it is an artistic muscle builder.
I am not sure if I like this one, and yet when I am working on it, I love it. The critic in me wants to jump all over it. This is based on my trip over to remote Bear Valley in Glenn Co.
I practiced my wet on wet on this paper hoping to go very impressionistic. I pulled out shapes as I saw them. I over-worked the left side and basically lost my focal point. No matter, there are more paintings waiting and more lessons to be learned.
I again decided to paint wet on wet and I really love how you can work on a painting for over 2 hours non-stop. My photo made that area behind the sun-lit trees too blue, it is actually a grayed down purple/blue and green color. There is a point that you know that you have to wait for it to dry before proceeding to add your calligraphy marks or to correct. This paper is perfect for this technique and it dries extremely flat which I really like.
*A word about photos. The photos on my blog are mine, taken by me and copying them would be stealing from me. If you find a photo that you would like to copy or use, I request that you ask me for permission and I expect you to give me full credit for my own photo. Thank you so very much.
Yuba Gold 
I love the feeling, the moods expressed! the falls, the forest, the mountains 🙂
And, the last one has …… a wonderful balance of warm/cool.
Your greens are so beautifully varied and in so many rich tones – just Marvellous!! my Fav. I feel like I could go and sit there, meditate and be at peace. Thanks! lovely 🙂
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thank you…..I love that last one. I should have given more time with writing about my discoveries with but felt too tired and wanted to get the post up. That spot is heavenly and I have plein air painted there so many times. I definitely could see you sitting there enjoying it.
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I ‘get’ the tired, exhausted aspect Margaret. hence, 2 day delay in reply!! rest … and be kind to your Self, Miss M 🙂 cheers, YRF
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I’m with Debi too, that final one is outstanding, really stunning. I think it’s particularly successful because of the composition and your masterful handling. I think that the counterbalance of the bright light striking the tree and rocks on the river bend, contrasting with the dark shadows in the distance create such a powerful focal point and really draws the eye in. And then there’s the perfectly loose handling of the rocks in the foreground of the river, genius Margaret – a wonderfully rich and ‘complete’ painting in every sense!
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Thank you so much John 🙂 I came to a powerful realization with that final painting. I should had gone into more detail about my recent epiphany and how I planned it out. I think in the future I will touch upon this because it will now be my approach in the future. Once again thank you for your feedback.
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I look forward to hearing more about your epiphany Margaret and am already hoping that I may learn from it too! I’ve looked at that painting a few times now and – to my taste at least – this is right up there, if not top of the pile, of all the paintings of yours that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing! 👏👏👏
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Wow…..now that is a big compliment! I will spend more time on what I have learned in the upcoming weeks. I have several more paintings to plan out and I am looking forward to painting them. Have a creative weekend.
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Dear Margaret, You are doing beautiful work. Your darks are awesome.#4 is perfect.
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Thank you Holly!
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Oh Margaret – so always enjoy when your paintings appear! that abstract really struck me and caused me to pause and gasp! The last painting also…….. wow…… you have such a special gift Margaret! Such a gift!!!!
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Thank you Jodi! that truly warms my heart….I knew that with the fourth painting I was truly getting it because I wanted to cry while painting it!
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That is beautiful Margaret Makes me cry a bit. 💛
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Love that first abstract one!
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thank you!
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Beautiful colors! That abstract and #4 are gorgeous.
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thank you!
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Well done for pushing ahead, I use any excuse to down tools! I hope you are feeling better now.
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I am feeling better, thank you!
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