loriann signori : working with late afternoon winter skies

Sunday, January 9, 2011

working with late afternoon winter skies

6x9 pastel and watercolor on Uart

sketch and notes from my book

At about 4:30pm the show was marvelous at Lake Needwood. It's funny because I have found it's those moments you would have no idea that absolute splendor is coming and then, it comes. The high clouds broke open to reveal a dramatic sunset. I watched. Later, after I could visualize, it I wrote my notes and did a small sketch. Many times during the evening I worked on it in the studio. It wasn't until late, when it was just me and the painting, that it came together. I love those moments where the painting takes over. It even surpasses memory.
After making this piece I realized that it really wasn't about the color, rather ......it was the value and the stroke movement. Hmmm.

14 comments:

Leah said...: Wow!; January 9, 2011 at 7:16 AM
loriann signori said...: Thanks Leah, lover of skies.; January 9, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Donna T said...: Beautiful twilight skies, Loriann! I am fascinated by your ability to use your memory for this kind of work. Thanks for the link to the Tonalist show, too. I wish I could see it in person!; January 9, 2011 at 8:36 AM
karen said...: Loriann,
I have been following your blog for about 3 weeks, I really love your latest pieces. You have inspired me to try and work from memory. I have never done that --
I am going to go to the tonalist show on wed - do you want me to bring you back anything besides the paintings HAHAHAHAHA
You go girl!!; January 9, 2011 at 9:36 AM
loriann signori said...: Hi Donna, sure looks like a great show. Thanks about my memory training program. I will get this.

Hi Karen!!!! OOOOHHHHH you are so lucky! I am jealous! If they have a good catalogue please get me one. I will happily pay you for it.; January 9, 2011 at 11:22 AM
karen said...: will do - is there a price limit?; January 9, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Brian McGurgan said...: Looks like they might be treating "A History of American Tonalism" as the catalogue - it's listed as a featured current catalogue. The gallery seems to have some great publications, although many are very pricey.

Another beuatiful "magic hours" painting, Loriann. The values and strokes are doing most of the heavy lifting here but it's the colors that got my attention (to loosely paraphrase Richard McKinley).; January 9, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Joan Breckwoldt said...: This is beautiful, I think your paintings are very special. I also love how you talk about your process, writing down notes is brilliant. You are an amazing painter,
Joan; January 9, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Caroline Simmill said...: I feel as if I am actually there Loriann when I gaze at this beauty. Lovely gradation in colour. So pleased to hear you are out and and about again.; January 9, 2011 at 2:53 PM
loriann signori said...: Hi Karen and thank you! If as Brian says -the catalogue is the book History of American Tonalism_ I already have it. If they also have another catalogue to go with the show 30. is my limit. Thanks...let me know.

Hi Brian, Thanks for the info! I like your Richard McKinley observation- "value does the work and color gets the glory." soo sooo true.

Hi Joan, thanks so much for your kind words about my paintings. You made my day!

Hi Caroline! I guess it works! It felt good to get about...even if just in my car. I love watching the landscape. You are a supportive blogger friend!; January 9, 2011 at 4:06 PM
SamArtDog said...: I just got the feeling (again) that watching you and your process is a special opportunity. I hope it feels special to you, too.; January 9, 2011 at 4:13 PM
loriann signori said...: Thanks Sam. I really am loving this memory work. I am not sure will it will take me but I like the trip. Thanks for your comment.; January 9, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Lynne E. Windsor said...: Loriann, love the format for all these memory paintings and loved the previous twilight piece.; January 10, 2011 at 4:07 AM
loriann signori said...: Thanks Lynne! The long vertical is one of my favorites...what a mix of excited expansiveness and quietude in one place!; January 10, 2011 at 7:19 AM