Monday, February 24, 2014

opalescence of morning fog

24x36 oil on wood
Fog can have opalescence that is spellbinding. I worked with the wax medium to help me get that feel.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

summer storm, finished

36x36 oil on linen
Finally finished. This is cloudburst's sister painting. Both paintings were inspired by my days in Chincoteague VA. I love that place...especially when the weather is stormy. The atmosphere and tremendous space ignited by the power of a storm... the way it emerges from the canvas is fascinating.

Monday, February 17, 2014

the completion cycle continues

oil on linen 18x36
I spent the last week finishing this one. Maybe it is complete....maybe not.

Friday, February 14, 2014

sister clouds

After I finished Cloudburst (painting on right) I looked high up on the studio wall and saw her abandoned sister. While they were not made as a diptych, once the one on the left gets finished they will hang well together. I had painted the second version (left) when I was frustrated with the one on the right (now finished).
The one on the left has taken so much abuse that the linen has begun to sag on the right side. I will need to re-stretch it soon.
We received 14 inches of snow Wednesday night- a rarity for DC. The city has shut down, even bus service and above ground metro were halted.


Thursday, February 13, 2014

cloudburst finished

The best part about finishing a painting that was started a year ago is that I am totally free of the initial idea's grip on me. Now it becomes easier to just have a conversation with the painting. Waiting is always best.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

finishing


40x30 oil
It's that time. The time when I have to stop the excitement of starting new paintings and instead finish the many I have. With a solo show coming up in April, I need these finished.
The hardest part of painting is knowing how to finish. There are many, many stopping points, but when does it say what I want it to say?
This painting is inspired from my many studies of Lake Needwood and the river. The bottom third of the painting is the strongest. The struggle is getting the top to support it and not take over. More on this one later.
PS The show opens April 11 at the Waverly Street Gallery. 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

entering the courage zone


My newest large painting is teaching me how dark can I go and still make a soothing vibration. This one will still take a number of layers to bring out more warm and cool variations within the land. It was built on the plein air and memory studies below.
This painting's concept really takes me out of my comfort zone. I have a tendency to paint light and with my preferred colors. This was intentionally planned to take me out of my comfort zone and into my courage zone. More as it develops. In the meantime feel free to read my post about the courage zone.


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Let go

plein air, pastel, this past summer


“Without trying to describe elements, I try to ex- pand possibilities, and the feeling of freedom. I have general knowledge - I’ve trained - but when it comes to a particular painting or pastel, I trust in freedom, and let go.”    Wolf Kahn

He says it all, doesn't he?