we are the new contemporary painters- evolve and discover

Learning from the past is something all artists do. Sharing ideas and cross pollinating these ideas between artist groups is what has spurred on movements and discovery in the arts throughout time. Knowing that, we wonder, what can I contribute? What does our time period give to the masses? I think about this all the time, especially when I teach my beautiful high school students (on Saturdays.) They question everything. They want to know why is Joan Mitchell's large color statements as important as George Inness' Tonalist pieces? How can we  talk about Louise Nevelson's huge piece in the American Art Museum and feel it as we do Joseph Cornell's boxes.
Then you go see what the innovative artists of today are making. This summer when I was in NYC  I saw one artist's wild carved, layered sculptural pieces of acrylic paint- he carved the paint!!!!, I was taken by beautifully abstract long photos of the Thames River by....... They stopped me dead in my tracks. One woman made hanging veils of acrylic paint that were translucent and resembled the feeling of laundry hanging between the tenement buildings .....but with a veiled luminescence. People are finding the answers to new all of the time. It's truly exciting... It gives hope.
Then it goes back to questioning myself (and yourself.) Why do I (you) create?
What motivates me (you)??
There is no reason to just do what has been done before.
The work I will share now is from my summer. It doesn't truly show my direction...yet. Each day I now spend time experimenting. I am feeling better. Thinking I might be finding a way, not just doing.

New work with Silver Lake

Silver Lake in Ocracoke has continued to obsess me. Months of distillation time help me feel rather than see. In the studio I am working with different methods, although all are on thick watercolor paper. The top painting is large, 22x30 and the surface is simply sanded.

This one has the additional layer of art spectrum pastel primer. it is smaller, maybe 8x8.
Each painting has a completely different feel. Do you have a favorite? I know I do.

making of a painting

finished painting

step 1

step 2

step 3

step 4

step 5

step 6

Last week I was on the Island of Ocracoke, off the coast of North Carolina. It has a small harbor they call Silver Lake. This small body of water has always obsessed me but this time I arrived in Ocracoke with the simple idea that I would color study it over and over.
I mostly used memory although some have been started by some plain air, like this one. Once I could separate and begin to work the following day I was free from what i saw and eager to simply play with color.

ocracoke, after the storm

pastel, about 11x12

I have been studying and experimenting with the different ways to create the luminous look I desire in my skies. Someday I feel so far away from my quest (the holy grail)  and days like this I feel a millimeter closer. Yesterday I finished a summer painting I began when I was on the island of Ocracoke. When I was there I was fortunate to experience storm after storm and storm break after storm break. One night it lightninged for 5 hours straight and there were two water tornadoes. It was wonderful!!!!! Pure drama!
For years I have been scrutinizing Sanford Gifford's beautiful work. Slowly I am beginning to see the light.  Dark is not always essential, it seems to be the in the color gradations. Subtle.

On another note, good news! I just received a letter informing me that two of my pastels have been juried into the Appalachian Pastel Society's National Exhibit. I have never been to Asheville and hope to get there to attend the show! Here is one of the pastels.

Have a good week!