Saturday, January 29, 2011

memory painting and John Carlson

9x9 pastel and watercolor on Uart
Wow, it is really amazing how freed I feel when I take it all from within, just my emotions and memories. This morning's sunrise, houses burdened with thick snow, was stunning. It's the view I see from my window each morning, yet different. Breathlessly beautiful. It painted it 9 hours later.

So I leave you with a quote from John Carlson,
Rest assured that if you work every day at your art, using the materials nearest at hand, you will gradually discover such beauty in them that they will fill you with happiness. 

So true, so true. Lucky am I, as I can work everyday.

9 comments:

Donna T said...

This is so soft and beautiful, Loriann; quiet too. Your emotions and memories are helping you paint some gorgeous skies this winter. I like yesterday's work too. I did a tiny sketch of the same sunset yesterday and was thinking that the orange of the sky was so weak compared to all the cold, dark blues everywhere else.

loriann signori said...

Hi Donna, Did you enjoy doing that sketch yesterday? It was a beauty. That orange slice is always there lately. Thank you about this work. I actually like it, even though i think it will make no sense to anyone else. It feels right to me. happy painting!

Double "D" said...

Hi B,

The last two memory paintings are beautiful.
I feel a sense of you in these paintings.

What's going on with the recovery ... didn't you
have a follow up with the Doctor? Please be careful
with yourself and don't over do. I know you hamster!

From the road in Oklahoma City.
pb

Caroline Simmill said...

That yellow light is soft yet shines beautifully through the snowy landscape.For some reason it reminds me of the Monet haystacks, I can see those are crofts covered by snow yet the colours are very similar to one of his winter scenes or maybe it could be it has an impressionist feel to it. Lovely sky gradations. Thank you for the information regarding the cleaning fluid for the oils, I have found a supplier in the UK and will phone on Monday morning to see the price etc. Strange but the place that sells it is down in Nottingham and last night we were watching the latest Robin Hood film and enjoyed seeing those beautiful forests!

loriann signori said...

Thanks PB, So you are still on the road. How has the weather been on your mighty trip? Thank you about my last memory paintings. I really appreciate that you"feel a sense of me" in these. I think that's what happens. Now there are only 2 ingredients- the memory and the person/painter that I am. I guess that will just keep evolving. As for my surgeon's appointment...the entire city was shut down with the weather. Even the surgeon had no light. I went to my most wonderful doctor I have had for 20 years yesterday so that he can check everything. And you are right I am pushing a little too much and need to chill more. When a rib is broken just in order to do the surgery I had no idea of the pain involved and the length of recovery involved. Paul has been with me every minute and i am grateful for that. It's funny I feel so much better when i paint so I am managing my meds and sleep to do some each day. Lots of watching from my window. Thanks for checking in.

Hi Caroline,
Thanks about the painting. As for the cleaning stuff I think you can even get it at the hardware store, but i am not sure. Nottingham...could you paint a forest from seeing it on a movie? I have often wondered, sometimes I have watched such beautiful films and wanted to do so. cheers-

Casey Klahn said...

Yeah, that winter orange slice! We've had it at dusk much lately.

I am mesmerized by this one, Loriann. Wonderful.

I find that working from memory allows me to organize compositions in a more straightforward manner. The tyranny of the real is taken down, I want to say.

OTOH, it is easy for me to lose track of elements, and then my work becomes "mannerly." Trees become round balloons.

Great subject!! Love your bringing out Carlson to us. I should go dig mine out and read it.

loriann signori said...

Hi Casey,
Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it.This one struck a chord with me.
I have put Carlson on my demigod shelf. Amazing words of wisdom keep coming out of his mouth. At different times of your painting life it means different things. I will have memorized the memory chapter soon.
Memory does set one completely free. What is the biggest pastel painting your have done completely from memory- nothing else, no reference? I can't wait till my arm will move enough to paint big. I can't wait to see what happens when I take the big skies even bigger, say 3ftx 3ft, but in oil. (Not that much dust risk.) It is interesting how you say trees can become balloons. I wonder about that too. Maybe constant drawing from nature would help. Not drawing for the painting, just drawing as if playing scales at the piano.
Inness actually drew onto his canvas (en plein air) then "had his way with it and was never tied down in the studio.
So much to think about. How is your river series going?

Anonymous said...

There is a fine line between abstraction and realism…. at least there is for me. I am attracted to looking at painting with great detail and yet am equally pulled towards one swath of colour conveying a thousand words.
I have long since stopped trying to emulate how I ‘think’ I should paint…. but it is really difficult to get away from all those pre-conceived ideas that we carry around with us from the first brush load of paint on paper. If I am stuck in a rut about something (like hung up on a particular technique or colour combo which is going no-where fast) I let it go mentally by visualization….
Drawing is a great discipline. It is visual shorthand...like practising scales on the piano. I think just the act of looking more at your subject brings greater emotional understanding. By sketching you have the opportunity to either gather information or subtract information… it’s the beginning stage of editing your subject before bringing creative energy to it. By taking colour out and sketching in values or grey lines…we can focus on the essence of the subject.
I personally think that the true mark of an artist is when he/she is in tune with creative self .....and painting from both experience of materials and techniques... AND from an emotionally charged place within. It is important to have a good understanding of mark making and how your chosen medium behaves…as this kind of takes the pressure off… and I think many artists spend a life time of trying to understand their materials and forget about the emotionally charged bit.
Sorry to waffle… your words and painting(s) touched a chord today.
So glad you are feeling a little better… Remember DD's words....don't over do it. That looks like an awesome easel by the way!!!!!

Casey Klahn said...

How to follow Maggie's wisdom? She is great.

Thanks for asking about the Hoquiam Rivers. I have had some breakthroughs. I am trying to get the thread in all of them, though. It is a learning time.