Painting into the New Year

painting #1 Imagined landscape

I am doing one last post for this year anticipating a break in January. I am going to be focusing entirely on painting and not posting here or on Instagram. By the way, I have no idea why my Kindle takes better photos of my paintings than my expensive camera. All of the blues are either too blue or it doesn’t show the transition of color very well. The above photo has more blue/green than it appears.

I was very frustrated looking for a painting to appear, so I sprayed on more water and there it was! a mountain!

painting #2 Imagined landscape

This one is not showing the nice transition of grays, blues are popping up. Ugh…. this one is one of a series on light coming through the mist.

painting #3 Remembered Landscape

As I am typing here I have 10 minutes before my lime flan is ready to come out of the oven, yikes….the rush is on! The above painting is one of a series of remembered landscape of the scene on Shenanigan Flat.

painting #4 Remembered Landscape

This one bored me when I finished painting it but then I think that it has a calm serenity that intrigues me now. The blue/green doesn’t show up as it should but you get the general idea.

painting #5 Remembered Landscape of Lake Francis

I wanted to test out a few colors combinations and this is one of two that I painted. I haven’t posted this one to Instagram, so it is new to those who view my paintings there.

painting #6 Remembered Landscape of Lake Francis

This is the other landscape with similar colors. This one is on Instagram and the colors are more true on there. I did come back in and punched up the values and created more of a focus.

painting #7 Imagined Landscape

I am trying to get this view painted as I have it in my imagination. I am not quite happy with it as of yet. The blues are too sharp here in the photo as in reality, more grayed down blues. Yikes! 2 minutes and my flan is done, I am almost finished here anyway.

I hope that you all enjoy New Year’s Day and I am looking forward to coming back to post in February.

Happily Painting

Painting #1 remembered landscape

I didn’t realize that it has been almost a month since my last post! I have been painting up a storm and sometimes I forget or dread posting here because it takes more time than on Instagram.

The painting above was thrilling to paint because I let all restraint go and let loose. I love texture and flicking on some drops of water and watching the results was fabulous. I think that is why I adore watercolor. The opportunity to let the paint do its thing and I am a willing partner.

Painting #2 Humbug Creek

I gave up on this painting once it was dry. It was started as a saturated wet on wet but I didn’t like the weak look. I have to admit I get impatient and I like to “sculpt” my paintings while they are wet. Once it is dry I will go back in and adjust but I like to paint about 75-80% in the first round. I started an abstract on the other side and abandoned that one because of feeling picky.

I turned this one over and I realized that I liked it more than I thought originally and finished it. To me it looks like it could be in the swamps somewhere in the Southeast US.

Painting #3 Bullards Bar Reservoir – evening light

I love morning and evening light at Bullards, something magical with the area. I am fortunate that I live within 5-8 minutes of this area.

Painting #4 Bullards – remembered landscape

While our power was out, I sat in the front of the woodstove to paint this one. I used my memories to paint it and I am quite happy with it. I can go with more detail with the water but wanted to remain simplistic.

Painting #5 Imaginary Scene

This started out from referring to a photo of some trees at the North Yuba but it took on a different scene and I am alright with that. I do believe that I need to soften the horizon line, seems too sharp and “chunky”, an easy fix.

I have to tell you about those trees on the right. I am finding that I don’t like to depict something too realistic because frankly it bores me. I didn’t like the trees at the onset because of that fact, I simply took my sprayer and watched it pull the color away and I ended up with something I could build upon. Again, watercolor at its finest moment. The medium is meant to be spontaneous, finding serendipity in creativity.

Painting #6 abstract

Originally this started out as an imaginary scene but I didn’t care for it until I saw a shape that I spurred me on to start “building” my painting. Away I went and before long I ended up with this abstract. My photo gives some hard and dirty edges that are not in reality, bear that in mind.

Painting #7 Remembered landscape

My favorite scene of course! I had a difficult time getting my photo and painting to marry up but I am satisfied enough to include this. I am quite happy with this and I took a few days in assessing and painting it slowly.

I hope to post more often, a month is much too long. I am happy to report that I am feeling more and more confident and the scourge of my perfectionism is letting up. When I struggle with it, I walk away and work through it before returning to painting. Thank Goodness! Happy painting folks!

Glorious Color

Painting #1 Imagined landscape on Arches 140#

I have been enjoying more warmth in my paintings lately. I am a lover of blue but want to reach out towards a little heat. This particular scene is in Colusa County on a day trip with my big brother Doug. I am working more and more from my imagination and memory rather than photos. Easy for me now that I am willing to let loose and not rely on relentless detail.

Painting #2 Remembered Landscape on Arches 140#

I don’t think that I’ll ever tire of this scene. I am intrigued by the light and the overall feeling.

Painting #3 Sand Pond on Lanaquarelle 140#

One of my favorite scenes on my favorite paper. I didn’t plan on that golden pyramid shape in the background, it “snuck” in but I would like to think that it is a sunlit mountain, let the imagination work.

Painting #4 Imagined Landscape on Arches 140#

Basically the technique with these imagined landscapes is working wet on wet and building a scene intuitively.

Painting #5 Abstract

I love abstracts and when I paint them I work entirely by intuition.

Painting #6 Imagined Landscape Arches 140#

I had the most difficult time getting the colors to match up with my painting. I do believe that my photo on Instagram is much better.

I don’t have as much time this week to paint because I will be running into town twice this week. I have to pick up a painting from my framer that I won via ArtistNetwork. It is an original painting by Thomas Schaller, one of my favorite watercolorists. Talk about exciting to have won something, a first time for me.  Happy painting folks!

 

 

More Fall Paintings

 

 

Painting #1 Imaginary landscape

I tried my best to match up the photo but at least the pixels aren’t messed up, too much, I think, yay! I think that I got the photo to marry up well with my painting except that the “sun” is way better than what it shows in the photo.

While my grandson entertained himself with drawing dinosaurs, I took the opportunity to get some painting done and this is what I came up with. No idea what I was going to paint other than the chosen colors. I love painting this way, no preconceived idea, and no expectation, just going with the flow of the paint and picking out an imaginary scene.

Painting #2 Lake Francis

This is an semi-abstract of a scene of Lake Francis that I have painted several times.

Painting #3 Imaginary scene

I started out the typical way and that is usually throwing on some colors and looking for a scene. This was painted saturated wet on wet. If you haven’t tried this technique I suggest that you give it a chance. It might seem different and out of control but that is the whole point, right? At least that is the way I like to paint with watercolor.

Be aware that while the paper is saturated, the whites are very easy to pick out but once the paper is dry, it is near to impossible to regain white without scraping the paper with a blade. As long as the paper is wet, wipe out to your hearts’ content.

Painting #4 Shenanigan Flat

This is a scene that I have painted the most so far in the past year. In fact I wonder if I have already posted this one but I am pretty sure I haven’t. I had a difficult time to get the light yellow to show up as light as it appears here, keep that in mind.

Painting #5 a river scene

Another painting that I had a difficult time getting the photo just right but you get the idea. This started out as a plein air and I finished it up in the studio. I am finding out that what worked for me in the past in regards to painting en plein air isn’t working for me any longer. I just can’t sit and paint, I need to stand, I do this at home and I often step away to take a “look see”. I am considering getting an easel but it has to be very light weight because my neck and back can’t take lugging in heavy equipment any longer.

So, while I painted this, I used a big flat rock as my table and I also painted wet on wet and very loose, just like I would at home. I am trying to carry my attitude and painting style to the field.

Paintings #6

These were painted on small square pieces of leftover paper and purely from my imagination/memory. I think that I had Lake Francis on my mind when I painted these.

Painting #7 Shenanigan Flat (of course!)

I wasn’t too sure if this was successful or not, I haven’t shared it on my Instagram just because of the uncertainty. I love the feeling of it but for some reason I don’t like at the photo of it, there is something lost in translation. No idea.

That is it for now. I have a few more paintings to share but until next time, count your blessings!

One last photo from my plein air painting trip the other day, enjoy!

Painting and More Painting

painting #1

I have been painting and also getting ready for fall and winter. I have been feeling a desire to get out there to paint en plein air with the weather changes. The painting above is wild and colorful but I wanted to get out of my usual routine. I like to stretch myself to see what happens.

painting #2

Another painting testing my colors and being loose, not sure if it works but that is alright.

Painting #3

This one was painted entirely by intuition, my favorite way to paint. This is that same scene that I have painted over and over.

Painting #4

Another view of that ever elusive scene. I didn’t have an idea where this was going until it was happening, I went along for the ride, easier that way. I

Painting #5

This was based on a photo that I took of a reservoir near me. I wanted to go dramatic and here we are.

Painting #6

I wanted to paint serenity but wanted to have a little more interest in the water, I added a little more detail for dimension. I might give this another try it two.

Thank you for looking.

Light on the Yuba

 

I have had an obsession with light ever since I can remember. I wanted to keep a minimal approach with these paintings, it is all about the light and feeling of the river. I painted this rather quickly because I had to run multiple fans in my art room. This is on Arches 300# a quarter sheet.

I also painted this one quickly because the paint was drying super fast. Again a minimal approach. Also from the same area on the river. This is on Fabriano Soft press, and I am in love! Until I get more Lanaquelle paper that is.

This painting was started last week and I fished it today. It was painted about 80% saturated wet on wet and I finished it up wet on dry. I used Saunders Waterford I think.

I have discovered that I can post from my tablet easier than from my computer, and it is fast!

**A word about photos. The paintings and 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.

A Touch of Gold

Along Shenanigan Flat aka Canyon Creek Trail on Arches 140# 11 x 14 inches

I won’t be able to paint or post for almost a week so I will be missing in action. My husband and I will be celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary on the 11th and will be staying for a few days on the Mendocino coast. Of course we are in the midst of one of the biggest storms that California has experienced in a decade!

My reference photo

I had more fun painting this. I have been finding that using a rigger brush helps with keeping things exciting and loose and especially with those trees. I didn’t want excessive detail and brought out only what I thought would help the painting. I plan on buying a larger liner though because the one that I do have is kind of small. I got the idea of using a rigger brush from watching Sandra Lynn Strohschein paint in her videos.

*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.

Looking Back at 2016

My  goodness time sure flies and here we are just at the door of 2017. I have been busy painting but posting only when I feel something is ready. I really like my slow approach. I have been painting a lot behind the scenes but slowing down my posting, it makes sense for me because I want to focus more on the art. Bear with the length of the images, I have been having a difficult time with uploading photos and having my page get stuck many times. This is the easiest way to put together this post. I will do a post in the next few days of my favorite photos of 2016 as I am getting impatient with how long this is taking. It has been a fantastic year and I am looking forward to what 2017 will hold for me and my art endeavors.

Here are my favorite paintings of the year, first the pastels:

 

 

My intuitive painting

 

Now for the watercolors that I liked the best:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

My most favorite watercolor painting

 

another all time favorite!

*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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the Beginning

 

Shenanigan Flat plein air from August

I thought that I would post a few of my favorite watercolor paintings from the past 5 months. I started this amazing journey delving seriously into learning this wonderful medium and to discover my particular style. I wanted to include the painting above because I feel that it depicts where I want to be in watercolor. Of course this painting only shows a smidge of the style that I envision.

semi-abstract

A semi-abstract of several madrone trees in my backyard has been an adventure of sorts. Finding my way around abstraction, loosing up and learning not to be so critical of myself in having a “perfect” painting.

plein air from 2014 on Wallis paper

      My past has been solidly planted in soft pastel for approximately 17 years. The above painting is one that I wasn’t too sure about at completion because of the looseness but now I see it as being perfect because it is loose.

     As you can see, I have come a long ways and have even further to go, I believe that the artist life is very complex and a never-ending journey. If you have been following my blogging here on WordPress, you learned from my last post that I am stepping away during the month of November to give myself a breather. In actuality I found that I was delving deep into an area that I have visited many times before which I feel goes against my creative striving.

     I am aware of this being normal for a creative, but in my case there is a portion that is solidly based upon my childhood and wounds that have occurred. My hope and plan is to focus on how to bounce back quicker with less stress. I also am wanting to put to rest the need for validation and hopefully to leave behind a large portion of my harsh self criticism.

     When I had originally thought of taking a month off, I was questioning if it was something that I should do, when I ran across a post by a fellow blogger that tied right into what I have contemplating about, I knew it was a confirmation.

      I am a very positive person who has great hope for my art and what I can learn from pursuing being creative. I could touch upon a lot in this post but it would be too lengthy and you all be yawning and ready for this post to end. I do believe that when I do come back in December, I plan on blogging more about the creative life (and struggles) in addition to my art adventures.

     While I am on my leave of absence, I will be working more on a painting that is meditative Intuitive Painting-Psalm 65 If you want to snoop into the conversation regarding this planned absence, I suggest that you read the comments in this post  Fall on the North Yuba. Goodness, it is about time I end this and post it. I will be come back and keep an eye on the feed, until then….happy creating!

 

Studio Piece of Shenanigan Flat

 

work in progress

While it has been raining very hard and Fridays are usually my plein air day, I am stuck in the studio. I started this painting over a week ago and I initially liked how it started out loose but now I am bringing it up to the correct depth and while doing this, I feel that I am going too tight.

I am undecided if it has enough impact, truthfully I can’t tell. I am the type of person who loves impact and strong lighting. I don’t want to fiddle this to death and I am already thinking that I have. Not sure where to proceed from here. Any ideas folks? I think that it isn’t helping that I am feeling antsy and wanting to be outside so my attitude is veering towards frustration. I won’t be touching this until I have some feedback and also when I have fresh eyes and a better attitude.