Vision of Hope

On May 9, 2020May 9, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized13 Comments

I haven’t been able to paint as much as I would like simply because I have been wanting to save my art supplies. I have been busy rearranging my studio space for mixed media and with my husband’s help, we created a wall easel system. My studio is limited in space and I have to think creativity in order to make the best of what I have.

This painting was extremely fun to paint though I always struggle a bit with uncertainty. I have been following an artist by the name of Louise Fletcher on Instagram and YouTube. Louise has helped me to understand what I experience as an artist is quite normal for an intuitive painter who works in the abstract.

I have been experimenting with painting minimally this past week. I think that I will give this one some time to percolate.

Painting #4 untitled

This painting was inspired by Lassen Volcanic Park though you wouldn’t know it. I decided to abstract it for the emotional effect.

I absolutely love the colors of this painting. It simply glows with light and feeling.

I keep thinking that I might do more with this one and yet I like the minimal approach.

Last one of the group. I decided to include a wip (work in progress). Hopefully I will finish this one next week and will show you the completed painting.

Take care and stay safe!

April Gloaming

On April 19, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Oh my what an usually odd period of time that we live in. Thank goodness I live in the country and I am allowed access the local trails. The painting above is one of my favorites. A glimmer of hope and light.

Painting #2 Look to The West – 11 x 14 inches

This particular painting was quickly painted on an old paper that was given to me, Strathmore is the brand, not a favorite of mine but at least I can practice on staying loose.

This painting was one that had me guessing to the very end. I often have to push a painting to completion. It has been my experience that painting is often not a straight forward process. Since I paint blindly, it is even more pronounced and I have to actively push a painting. I am looking for more than merely depicting a subject. I am striving for more.

Painting #4 Crimson – 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

A good example of my searching for more, the painting above was elusive and was in an ugly stage for weeks. I kept at it until I “saw” what I would call a Gloaming, a twilight or sliver of light.

An essential part of my approach is to capture the essence of the scene rather than focusing on the subject alone.

A fun colorful one, though I do need a title.

Last one of the group. Stay safe and positive, I know that this is asking a lot but I prefer staying on the side of positivity than not, more productive. Cheers!

Art is a Safe Haven!

On April 8, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized15 Comments

Painting #1 – In Thy Light We See Light Psalm 36:9

Crazy world right now don’t you think? Thank goodness I am always waiting for diaster to happen, after all I live in California! Kidding aside I hope that you all are doing well and keeping a positive attitude.

The painting above wasn’t planned or idealized, my favorite way to paint. I let it simply flow and I worked with what was appearing.

I love to work on a painting that is mysterious and evolving. I really don’t do well with planning out a painting. I finally have learned that in the past six months.

Not much to discuss here, basically brushing on colors, working with what seemed to appear. This one is an alla prima painting. I like to work quick and fast though I also enjoy taking it slowly as well.

Exactly what we need lately, a hiding place! I have my faith and of course art! I am a firm believer in having a good attitude.

I enjoy letting my creative juices flow and not getting caught up in details. Perhaps this painting is a bit kitchsy but at least it was fun!

No explanation needed unless you have a question.

Yes indeed! That positive attitude showing up. I had to hold myself back from overdoing it with this one.

Oh so fun! I loved how the colors mixed to get the atmospheric look in the one.

I have a few more paintings but I will post again soon. Stay healthy and safe folks!

So Busy!

On March 11, 2020March 11, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized

Painting #1 The Falls – 11 x 14 inches

I have been so busy lately with spring chores and general life that I haven’t been able to paint as much as I like. The painting above is based on a location about 10 minutes down the road from me. It is a well known spot for skinny dipping. For me it is a beautiful spot to plein air paint. It is’nt easy to access but worth it.

Painting #2 Untitled 11 x 14 inches mixed media

I decided to punch up this watercolor painting with using Neocolor II Water-soluble Artists’ Pastels from Caran d’Ache. Long title! I had to copy and paste that one. I have had these crayons for years and I really like them.

Painting #3 Untitled 16 x 20 inches – mixed media on canvas

I used a combination of inks, acrylic and collaged paper to create the above abstract.

Painting #4 Passages – 13.5 x 19 inches – watercolor

The essence of this one is lost in the photo but I simply love this one. Pure watercolor.

Painting #5 untitled – 11 x 14 inches – mixed media

I kept with this hoping that an image or focal area would emerge. Happy now.

Painting #6 Pathways – 11 x 14 inches – mixed media

I was in a bit of a lull and tried some more mixed media. I am not convinced that this approach is me. I see too many mixed media of this caliber. I am treating it as an exercise.

Painting #7 Divine Alacrity – 11 x 14 inches – watercolor

Last one of the group. The photo doesn’t do this one justice. I am still stabbing away at depicting the woods.

Keep safe, stay positive and hang in there people. Crazy world right now but we will eventually see better times, hope is precious in times like these.

Almost Done

On February 23, 2020February 23, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized10 Comments

Painting #1 Untitled – imaginescape – 11 x 14 inches

The title of this post sounds dramatic but I am about done with the available space on my WordPress account. Do I open another account? Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

Painting #2 – Quiet Composure -imaginescape – 11 x 14 inches

I worked on the above painting over a matter of several weeks perhaps longer. I lost the foreground several times and I feel that the sky and background is the star. I am not only a fan of lumunism, I adore tonalism. I feel that perhaps this painting leans towards tonalism.

Painting #3 Within the Veil, Hebrews 6:19 – 11 x 14 inches

I worked a little more values in the background of this one.

Painting #4 Fire Skies 11 x 14 inches on cradled board

I painted this one within days of the Camp fire in Paradise.

Painting #5 Who Made Heaven and Earth – 12 x 14 inches

This is a mixed media of which I am slowly getting into to. I have to rework my studio layout in order to have everything ready.

Painting #6 Another View – 11 x 14 inches

This one is gouache over a watercolor underpainting. Though I did leave the sunlit background alone, in other words, just watercolor showing.

I am planning on mounting this onto a cradled board. My son-in-law has been making me some boards for mounting my watercolors onto. I find that certain paintings excell at being mounted and others are better off behind glass. It seems like it is an extension of the painting process. I really like the look of a mounted watercolor.

Last but not least of the group. Another one from my imagination and I like what appeared. Sometimes abundance shows up in my studio! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, carry on!

Painting Life

On February 12, 2020February 12, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized8 Comments

#1 Admission 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

February is turning out to be a busy time of painting. The painting above was painted fairly quickly. I purchased a new color by Daniel Smith, Indian Red which is the best to strike and leave it alone. That’s alright with me because I like to get in and get out.

#2 Untitled 11 x 14 inches – Bullards Bar reservoir

Sometimes I work with a photo, this one is based on Bullards Bar reservoir where I hike and play.

#3 Untitled 11 x 14 inches – inspired by Lassen

This one was inspired by Lassen Volcanic Park, one of my favorite places to go to. I wanted to paint what mattered and forego needlt detail.

#4 Red – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

Yes, a little color right?! Yes! Don’t hold back I say!

#5 Gentleness – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

Less is more! No explanation needed.

#6 – Waiting for Truth – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I enjoyed working with my imagination for this one. Are those trees, people? You decide.

Last one of the group. Have a wonderful week, use some imagination!

January Swinging

On January 29, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized13 Comments

#1 “Tranquility” – 11 x 14 inches – semi-abstract

I have been really letting loose lately after a few angsty days of trying too hard. I truly am an artist who prefers to follow my imagination rather than focusing on what my art “should” look like. Talk about freedom!

#2 “Brewing” – 11 x 14 inches – abstracted sky

I saw a fantastic photo of one of my friends on Facebook and felt inspired by it. I asked her permission to use it as a reference photo. Heather Anthony Kieley lives in Arizona and the vistas there are quite beautiful. I used a lot of thick paint on a semi wet paper. I used my intuition in order to get the look I wanted.

#3 untitled – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I like to get in and get out when I paint. I have been called a “straight shooter” I suppose it carries over to my approach to painting. This is definitely an allaprima painting.

#4 – “Glow” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I made up for my angsty days by painting 5 new paintings in one quick secession, one after another and boy was it freeing!

#5 “The Forest Awaits” – 13 x 19 inches – abstracted landscape

Painting from my imagination is addictive! Yes, indeed. The thrill and magic of painting blindly is wonderful, give it a try sometime.

#6 “Essence of Spirit”- 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I kept at this until I was satisfied. It took me a few days to complete it but so worth it. It was as though I was being whispered to.

#7 “Serenity’s Hope” – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

The last one group. Thank you for taking the time to read and view my paintings! Until next time!

Anniversary and More

On January 15, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized8 Comments

Painting #1 “A Matter of Perspective” – 13 x 19 inches – imaginescape

I really enjoyed working on the above painting. I have a tendency to rush paintings. I think that I like the excitement and I have found that I paint best by not knowing what is around the corner. But I often allow myself to get too carried away and push a painting too far. I used restraint and intuition while working on this particular one. I enjoyed watching this painting come alive.

Painting #2 untitled – 9 x 14 inches – imaginescape

The photo doesn’t do this justice. The colors are subtle, yes, but richer in reality. Again I wanted a “less is more” look. Sometimes this is hard for me because I have a dramatic, throw caution to the wind attitude with watercolor.

Painting #3 “Peace” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

As I mentioned I have an aggressive approach with my watercolors. I do believe the reason is that I push until I get the feeling and look I want. I used to do this with my pastel portraits. With watercolor it can be tricky because you can loose that freshness so easily. One thing I have learned is that if you have a confidence and use care, you can push watercolors. Rarely have I lost a painting ( in my opinion) when I work with that confidence. Don’t mess with a watercolor out of dissatisfaction, it will show it, believe me.

Painting #4 untitled – 9 x 14 inches -imaginescape

The foreground was not cooperating and soon it became apparent that the sky was the star. I cropped it and now painting and I are happy.

Painting #5 – untitled – 13 x 19 inches – imaginescape

I had posted this on Instagram and I decided to delete it. I initially loved it but wasn’t too sure about the dark foreground. I am going to put it aside for a while and assess it later when my eyes are fresh. It has an other worldly appearance to me. Also it reminds me of the paintings of Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt, one of my favorite artists.

David and I have been married for 34 years now. He retired last month after 24 years with the Forest Service. He worked as a seasonal for a few years before he was hired full time. This wedding anniversary was a little special because of his retirement.

That’s all for now! If you have any questions about my art, shoot!

A New Year!

On January 4, 2020 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized12 Comments

Painting #1 “Hidden Treasure” -13 x 19 inches – semi-abstract

A Happy New year to all of you! I loved the painting above. I love the way that Fr. Ultramarine Blue and Piemontite Genuine combines. I love it even better than the blue combined with Burnt Sienna. I thought that I would start a sky painting but somehow it evolved into a semi-abstract of a cleft in a rock? Regardless of what it is, I really love what I ended up with.

I used two colors and by the time the colors mingled and turned into the greens that you see here. It was a balancing act to maintain the individual colors in the sky. I love living on the creative edge!

Painting #3 Untitled – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I wanted to see what I can do differently with a simple seascape. A colorful outcome but I like the drama at the bottom half.

Painting #4 Untitled – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

A little drama goes a long way!

Painting #5 “Desire” – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

One of the reasons I really love watercolor is the granulation one can achieve, especially with Daniel Smith watercolors. By the time I completed this painting, it reminded me of a swamp.

Once in a while I go back to working with a reference photo. This creek is located near the Yuba River and along one of my favorite trails.

Painting #7 untitled – 11 x 14 inches – semi-abstract

I reworked this one to give it more punch.

I often let my imagination run about to keep things loose and fresh. Nothing really too serious, perhaps allowing my creative self to get out of the tight restraints of my expectations. I really feel that it is important to play. Well that’s it for now. Stay creative!

December Painting

On December 14, 2019 By Margaret Parker BrownIn Uncategorized17 Comments

Painting #1 “Santuary” 11 x 14 inches

I can’t believe that it is December already! The painting above started out with nothing in mind using two colors (quin. Deep gold and a warm black) to start and added a few others (Maganese Blue) to give it the dimension that I was looking for. Once I brushed on my colors, I envisioned a redwood forest. I decided to go for an overall feeling of light rather than focusing on the details. There is nothing like a light filled redwood forest.

Painting #2 “The Essence of Time” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I painted this several months ago and decided to rework it. I really like how it turned out. I am planning on mounting it to a cradled board and then waxing it to a finish.

Painting #3 “O Thou Who Art Enthroned in the Heavens” Psalm 123 – 13 x 19 inches

This one is from my imagination. The title came to me once I was finished. The book of Psalms is one of my favorites in the Bible.

Painting #4 “Eternal Kingdom” – 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

Very fun to watch this appear once I brushed on my color.

Painting #5 “Beyond the Horizon” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I reworked this one as well and am quite satisfied with it. This is a common theme for me.

Painting #6 “My Pleasure” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

Painting #7 “A Matter of Vision” 11 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I wanted a simplistic minimally detail approach. The glow in the focal area doesn’t show up so well in this photo. I love the glow very much.

Painting # 8 untitled 11 x 14 inches – based on the redwoods

I used one of my photos of the redwoods. I liked the initial start but ended up being a little boring to me, simply because it is a little too straightforward. I hope to try abstracting it in order to get a little drama and feeling that I strive for.

I had some difficulty with uploading a couple of paintings on this post. I hope that they work out. Until next time!