This is for Buddy, who was interested in how I would paint the kaleidoscope of color I referenced last week. Thanks for your interest, and thanks to everyone who takes the time to comment on the blog, I love hearing from you.
“Feeding the Chickens”
I hope you can feel your pupils constrict as you come into the dark hen house out of the bright day to witness this sweet moment.
“Beijing at Night”
I have an artist friend named Dave, who not only can paint, but is a lovely tenor as well. I had the pleasure of painting with him last week. After painting the rocks all week, Dave asked me how I would paint a complicated city scene at night. After discussing it, we decided we would both try it this week. My plan was to have a dark painting with few lights. Well, I will start by saying it is easier to explain what to do, than to do it. The buildings were complicated for me, I found it easy to get lost in all the moldings, but it was fun to try. Thanks for the challenge Dave.
“I want to paint too”
“I want to paint too Mommie,” is a little voice that often interrupts me at my easel. Little Lydia is also an early riser, and she often finds me at my easel when she wakes up. Here is my painting of her painting at her easel in the early morning light. I photographed it with my iPad, so it is a bit grainy.
“Kitchen Mesa”
A quick study in oil right before dark.
“Day in Provence”
I took my workshop to a local lavender farm to paint for the day. After painting red rocks plein air all week, the lavender was a delightful change. The farm was beautiful, surrounded by mature cottonwood trees, and blooming chamisa plants. We painted in the shade as we watched workers prune the bushes, placing neat bundles of lavender on top of each bush. It was really a lovely day, perhaps if you take a deep breath you can catch a waft still lingering in the air.
“Joshua Tree”
I took my class to paint in front of Georgia O’Keefe’s house. There was lots of atmosphere to subdue the colors of the desert. We sat in the quiet colors and painted in silence. It was a special time to share together. This dead tree looks almost the same as when Georgia painted it.
“Water Dance”
My workshop requested a figure demo of a figure in action. It was fun playing with the colors, and painting with such an attentive audience.
If you haven’t run through a fountain or sprinkler lately, perhaps it is time.
“Last Light on Pack’s Point”
Last night I painted plein air near the cabin from the movie ” City Slickers”. The kaliedescope-light show was spectacular last night, 360 degrees of beauty changing every 5 minutes. I paint fast, but not fast enough. I finally folded up my easel and let the changing light mesmerize me. It felt good to have my bike panders loaded with painting supplies, and a couple finished paintings, and ride off into the sunset.
“Watercolor and pastel”
Same Mesa, really no question which is my medium.
paintandsimple 