Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Summer Shadows

Oil on linen panel 9" x 12"

This is a seascape from Little Compton RI. I loved the effect of the long shadows illuminating the land in stripes, and the house hiding from the wind in the evergreens. I have painted at this location often, but feel that this is one of the most successful images.
I am looking forward to painting more and posting more in the New Year. I have made strides forward this year in making my art more public. I did my first outdoor show in Malden Bridge NY this summer, and started this blog to document what I have been up to. My next effort will be to make a card for myself as an artist, and to add more drawing to my daily routine. Finally, I will keep hoping that someone will start commenting on the blog!
Focus on the positive things that we have around us: family, friends, and health! Keep enjoyment up front in the New Year. My best to you, Mary

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Sunflowers again

oil on linen panel 14" x 18"
I looked at this painting again...looking as in looking with a paint brush. The effect I am trying to get is new for me, so I may be "looking" again at it later.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Sunflowers and Fog

oil on linen panel 14" x 18"

My latest offering is completely off season, but I decided that I would try it the other day. I took a small painting of Monhegan that I had done previously and tried it on a larger canvas. I think it is still 75% done, but I am offering a blog of it as a Christmas present for people who would like to remember warmer times. I am also curious to look at it online myself.
Most of the other paintings I have done lately have not been successful enough to post. I blame it on this silly cold, but as long as I keep painting, I am fine. I have long said that if I am not willing to do paintings that I don't end up liking, that I will not grow as an artist. Of course, that needs to be coupled with a willingness to try keeping an open mind and doing things in different ways as well. What is the definition of insanity? Trying to get different results from doing things the same way.
Do have a wonderful Christmas, and if you are a painter, keep painting!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Temple Flags

oil on linen panel 12" x12"
A new painting done by an image sent to me from a fall expedition to Kyoto. I love looking at the flags, as I can feel the brisk breeze and the temple routine, playing against each other.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Mystery

9" x 12" oil on panel

Have you ever taken a walk through the woods and come upon a house like this?

This painting has been particularly difficult to photograph in a way that the image on the screen has the power of the painting, but this version looks close to the original on my screen. I hope that you can get the sense of the dying fall day, painted as I walked on Monhegan.

I was talking to someone in my painting class today about painting over previously painted canvases. They said that there was a possibility that the new painting would "sink" into the older painting over the course of a few years, and that the best way to prevent that was to paint the old canvas with latex exterior house paint. Has anyone anything to offer on the topic?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Manana Glow

oil on canvas panel 9" x 12"
This painting is the first finished of a group of three, painted from photos taken this September on Monhegan Island during Stan Moeller's workshop. The photos caught my attention because of the effects of light at low angles as the sky begins to darken. Getting the colors right on the island is always a bit of challenge - the warm purples and greens want to come forward, and need to be cooled down a lot. This island manages to sit back where it is. I had fun painting it.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Fall Farm

oil on panel 9" x 12"
This is a painting from a farm in New York state that I have been visiting for a long time. I was struck by the view walking back from the fields towards the house and barn, where the light caught the house and barn on the side, and how they were compressed by the grass and trees into a small band of intense color and focus. It was painted outside over Thanksgiving weekend, and I had to stop when clouds came in, destroying the light and robbing me of enough warmth to continue.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The last of the trio

Oil on panel 9" x 12"
This is the last of the three rocks and trees that I am showing, and for a good reason. Though the first one of the group that I started, I kept trying to adjust it to get the light bouncing around the trees and the rocks. The reference photo that I was working from was blasted out, and pursuing the values lost the initial energy of the picture.
But I am putting it up to remind myself that I do have to be willing to push further with the paintings, sometimes to success and other times to mud. I am willing to push, and I will look at this for a while before I put it in the paint over pile. It had the promise of a better painting once, and so far I have not found it again. Oh well.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Ell Pond II



oil on panel 14" x 11"
This painting painted itself, except it ran out of steam at the roots, and I had to finish. Several times. The light on the rocks was skimming along the surface, picking up a few highlights, and puddling on the ground. What a great hike!