moving from the literal

7x7 pastel on Uart paper
I went out to the field to study sunrise, but the clouds were still very heavy and quiet after yesterday's rains. It's funny how the yellow flowers draw me to this field but they are also the thing most challenging to fit into a pleasing color harmony. The toned down sky helped me understand a different way to approach it. This afternoon I will take this small painting in the studio and work on a new one with a similar color palette.  There I will have even more freedom.
Today I managed to move from the literal on the scene.....to live for the painting. Yay!

I end with a quote from Carlson:
'Too much reality in a picture is always a disappointment to the imaginative soul. We love suggestion and not hard facts."

Green Hills

The start of the green series. I am back blogging...now for more.

High Noon at Sky Meadow

about 7x7 pastel and watercolor on Uart paper $100. plus tax and shipping
Today I took a trip out to the mountains. Funny, new place, but the same things still call to me: fields and rivers. This park, Sky Meadows is a treasure. Located near Paris, Virginia, it's not anywhere as crowded as the Shenandoah National Park at"leaf peeper" time (now).
I painted at high noon, therefore the light key is very high. I wonder if it would have helped to simply lower the key in the entire painting. Next time.

A Different Version of Color Field Painting

13x14 pastel and watercolor on wallis board $310.
Today I found a new field. The colors of the grasses are exquisite. I attempted to give that impression in my painting. I am beginning to feel like I am on to a new understanding about color and its relationships. More on that later.