Latest Paintings

I have been researching how to get clearer photos with my Kindle Fire, hopefully I can get some satisfaction with my photos. This painting was pure heaven working on it.

This painting was a “fast and furious” session, maybe that explains that rock on the left. I might go back and soften up some edges. The falls could use more definition, we’ll see.

Oh my favorite scene! Again!

So I am completely undecided about this one. I love the atmospheric appearance but I am thinking it needs more. It was painted totally by intuition and in two layers basically swirling yellow and cobalt blue and indanthrone blue together with a touch of Ultramarine purple. I have no clue why I didn’t end up with green, that is a mystery.

Until next time!

Sorting Through Old Pastels

I should be working on outdoor activities but nope I had to make that decision to go through my pastel paintings to organize and to throw out paintings that aren’t working.

*for some reason these paintings look fuzzy when I use my Kindle to upload these, go to my Instagram account to see my paintings more clearly. I haven’t uploaded two of them on this post but you can follow me on there and see my art more clearly. I’ll be working at finding out why this happens.

This painting surprised me because I thought it wasn’t good enough and now I am very happy with it.

Another “disappointment” ha!!!! I love it now! I am telling you, gold on to paintings, give them time and you’ll either love them or if not move it along.

Another painting that I had a hard time liking, it was too rough in my assessment. Now that I am looser in painting, it warms my heart to see this one.

All these paintings are plein air and it sure gets me hankering to get out there to paint, that is for certain. Going through these paintings has made me acknowledge that I have been on a long journey of creative acceptance.

I want to encourage those of you who often feel discouraged or who feel that you’ll never get anywhere in your art making. It takes time, patience and a personal vision. Goals are fine but vision is more important, it is the heart of the matter, a focus, trusting that you your inner creative will come into full freedom of expression. Don’t stifle your inner creative! By golly!

On a Roll

I have decided to post more often using my Kindle Fire, I wasn’t so sure of the quality of my photos until I decided to let go of that perfectionist desire for clear photos. There you go, onward to my latest painting, finished today.

This one is based on a reference photo that I shot while on vacation in the North coast of California. I took creative licence and changed the scene to suit my fancy.

This was painted on a half sheet of Fabriano hotpress 140# watercolor paper. My second time of using this paper, the hotpress that is. I love how the water and paint flows so wildly and that fits my style totally.

I painted by pure intuition and took many breaks. I felt that it didn’t initially had a focal point at the outset but I allowed it to reveal itself. I am considering that I might work on it more later if I see what needs to be done.

The color choice was by pure instinct and also I added shapes, or lifted as I’m felt inclined. I love how easy it is to lift color on this paper. I have noticed that quarter sheets seem small to me. I can be quite stingy about paper but I feel reluctant about painting on smaller sized sheets.

I often wonder if I don’t spend enough time on my paintings but I am feeling confident that my work style is what it is. I work as I feel led and after all, if it is working, go with it.

See you next time. Keep painting and exercise your  creativity!

Painting Happiness

I have truly enjoying my painting sessions lately. I will be posting from my Kindle Fire and if you want to see the clearer version, drop by and visit me on Instagram. 

Painting #1

The painting above is of Bullard’s Bar Reservoir at evening. I went very dark with it perhaps a bit too dark but I like it anyway.

Painting #2

This one I almost abandoned because I thought I had jumped  little ahead with the layering but I stayed with it to the very end. The trees on the right are a bit static and I will vary the height of one of more trees, an easy fix. This is a view of the Sierra Buttes from the other side.

Painting #3

I wanted to redo the Bullards evening painting a second time. I went a bit abstract with the sky. I used a sprayer to simulate light on the water.

Painting #4

This is on blue tinted Bockingford paper. I went wild and carefree with it, wet on wet and pushed the paper to its limit and boy did I have fun! I love this paper!

Painting #5

Eh so so for me, I lost the dimension and feeling of my rocks but wanted to include it. Not enough value range in the rocks.

Painting #6

On Fabriano hotpress. A pure joy to let the paint flow. I didn’t want a lot of detail I am again going for feeling. I am painting for me.

Painting 7

Last but not least. I almost abandoned this one because of a defect in the paper at the top section. There were two long scrapes and the paint settled right into them. It was a letdown and I was going to flip it over to paint on the other side when I decided at the last minute to crop the painting. It was a good decision because I ended up with a better composition anyway. The trees actually are a deeper green than my photo shows.

There you go, I am alive and well and painting up a storm! Until next time, happy trails!

A Little Experiment And A Hello

I have been painting up a storm even though I haven’t posted here on WordPress. I am not going to fret to see that these photos are blurry. I thought I would try using my Fire Kindle to post, so if the quality is off you will know why. The painting above was completed a couple of weeks ago. 

Another painting of the Yuba, where else?

This one was from last week.I have to admit that I miss WordPress but if you want to see what I am up to follow me on Instagram. I am pearlpsalm37 on there.

This is a plein air pastel from several years ago which I thought was a failure at the time. Now I like the moodiness and unfinished appearance. I have been sharing older paintings such as these on Instagram. 

I hope to drop by now and then to let you all know that I am still alive and well. Until the next post, cheers! 💖