The Last Days of August

Painting #1 “Once Upon A Time” imaginescape 11 x 14 inches

I love painting from my imagination, nothing like it. I prefer not knowing the outcome, crazy because I used to be scared stiff about how a painting would turn out. Thinking about it, our approach to life can benefit from this attitude.

Painting #2 “The Day is Coming” 11.25 x 15 inches – imaginescape

I have been getting a few comments on how dramatic my paintings are. I suppose that I like to push for the extreme in my paintings. I find that ordinary subjects are boring or perhaps I am striving for my paintings to evoke emotion.

Painting #3 “Beyond the Horizon” 11.75 x 15 inches – imaginescape

I wanted to see how Piemonlite Genuine and Payne’s Blue Gray would mix, yes!

Painting #4 “Peaceful Waters” 11.5 x 14.5 inches – imaginescape

I wanted to change it up and boy did I! The photo doesn’t do justice.

Painting #5 “Rest in Me” 11 x 14.5 inches – imaginescape

I was very nervous the day I painted this. My husband went down to buy a new motorcycle, an Indian Chief Classic. The price and opportunity was a right but big purchases doesn’t come easy for a conservative person like myself.

As nervous as I was, it didn’t seem to come across in my painting!

I had to include a photo of the Indian and myself on our first ride together. I am totally in love with this beast of a machine. My husband and I are planning to go up to Canada on this bike, we have a lot of prep and planning to do.

Painting #6 “Around the Bend” 11.25 x 15 inches

I like to paint the Yuba river to keep in practice, don’t you know.

Painting #7 “Natures’Glory” 11.25 x 15 inches

This one is based on the Sierra Buttes though I chose not to be geographically correct in rendering the mountain, I am a huge fan of Chiura Obata and he often depicted Yosemite in his own way, with his distinctive vision.

If you know me well enough by now, you know that I am intrigued by the Asian artists. I share their approach to painting the essence of nature.

That does it for now, enjoy the lazy days of summer.

August and Beyond

Painting #1 imaginescape

“Hope” 11×14.75 inches

I am happy to say that I have an air conditioning unit in my art room. I was able to paint in comfort for the first time this summer. Usually during the rest of the year I paint until 4 pm. During the summer I can’t seem to go beyond 2 pm. So yay me!

Back to the painting. This one was painted rather quickly and without planning. I have found that I rather be under the gun and paint not knowing the outcome. For some reason this enables more magical creativity, this is amazing considering that I am a recovering perfectionist!

Painting #2

“Good Morning Shenanigan Flat” 11×14.25 inch

This is a scene that I like to return to. I think that I have painted it over 20 times. I could easily paint it 20 times more. I painted this on 140# Waterford Saunders hotpress. I am in love with this paper, it is heavenly to work on.

Painting #3 imaginescape

“Enlightened” 10.5 x 15 inches

One of those that was painted quickly. I am considering knocking down that far hill on the right. Seems to be too strident. We’ll see.

Painting #4 imaginescape

Untitled – 10.5 x 14 inches

I loved using Daniel Smith’s Quin. Sienna with this one. I might have to correct some areas along the water, that is an easy fix.

Painting #5 imaginescape

“Purple Haze” 10.5 x 14 inches

Oh yeah, so fun to paint this one. Sometimes I like to change it up and using a different color combo often helps. I have to admit that I often become bored with doing the same thing. All I have to do is try out different colors.

Painting #6 “Sunset at Bullards” 7 x 9 inches

This plein air was painted last year and I decided to re-work it a bit, mainly giving it some highlights.

Painting #7 abstract “Look Beyond” 10.5 x 14.25 inches

I really liked the waffle texture of this paper, no idea which brand, I need to find out which one.

Painting #8 plein air of Shenanigan Flat 7x 9 inches

This one is from last year. I reworked the background a bit.

Well, that is it for now. I have more paintings to post but will catch up at a later date. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.