Courage to Paint

Finally today I had the courage to try to paint on location. Two fellow plein-air painters Laurel and Terri, met me at Bull Creek. My first mistake was standing where those walking by could see me paint. I was so self conscious, I couldn't think straight! Then I couldn't settle on a simple composition. I scrapped off my painting and went home. Determined to do something today, I made another attempt and then finally this one. It somewhat resembles the area we painted today. Clearly the painting isn't the success today -- the success was in the learning experience. I've signed up for a plein air workshop with Gordon Fowler; I must gain some comfort with plein air before I go to Taos this summer.

Reflections on a Passing Day

Couldn't decide on what to paint today. I love the colors in the piece yesterday, so I painted this with the same colors but with no picture. Might help if the water were level! LOL

Reflections on Openings

A few friends will look at this and know exactly what it is -- a person unfamiliar with the location thought it was a refrigerator. Who can identify this location?

I just like this door -- what can I say. But I didn't finish it. Sometimes I get to the point that I stop to consider a painting -- but don't return to it. I'm scared I won't be able to match my colors to the original painting. I'd like to go back and paint this en plein air.

Through the Water

Reflections in water are sooo beautiful. When I saw this orange kayak on the blue lake, I knew I had to paint it.

Swirl

Thought I'd try another cloth -- but be more certain of what I loved most, so my focal point would be better placed. Which do you like best?

I really like to mix my own black but the colors needed are among the more expensive. It's considerably cheaper to use a black straight from the tube so I was comfortable using more paint.

Red, White and Black

I had fun setting this up and mixing the black paint. It was a challenge to gray down the black paint to show the distance from the light.