Friday, March 14, 2008

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.

Monday, March 10, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

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.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

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.