A Friendly Nudge

6x6

Oil on Gessoboard

Tried working on some paintings that are different from my realistic work today and found myself pondering where I was going more than putting down paint...It's interesting how veering off the familiar path can get me so lost...but it makes perfect sense as well.    I really don't know where I'm going with some of this work and that's uncomfortable.

I need to remember that being on an unfamiliar path doesn't always reap instant results and I have to be patient through the struggle, give it some time and keep experimenting.

Comfortable on the Cape

6 x 6

Oil on Gessoboard

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I don't know if this ever happens to you...?   With the intention to finish something before moving on, you get stuck, because you can't move beyond that thing that isn't finished.

 For me it was setting my mind on finishing a blog post on the great workshop I took with Camille Przewodek before posting the next.   But, since life happens, i.e: other art events, kids, remodeling, a girl's weekend, I can't find the book with my notes?!!....You know what I mean...It all gets in the way!   So here I am, suddenly not blogging at all...?

Well, I say:  Enough of that!  

I do hope to get back to the workshop, but until then I'll quickly share the good news that I had a great time at my first Plein Air Quick-draw event ever in late May and I'll write more about it in a future post...lol.    In the meantime I do want to get back to some daily painting and posting of my smaller work so...

This is a piece I finished of an old truck I saw last summer on Cape Cod.  Not sure if it runs anymore?  Along with some other vehicles it hung out at the small mechanic's shop on the way to Chatham, comfortably nestled in behind some branches with the sun's rays dancing on the hood.  Life's pretty comfortable on the Cape.

Happy start to the summer everyone!

Camillle Przewodek Workshop - Day 4

For our 4th day we would again be painting en plein air.  This time at Chateau St. Jean's Winery in Sonoma Wine country.
 A beautiful area with rolling hills and on this particular morning, the fog was slowly giving way to a sunny day as I traveled to our painting location.

Here we all are watching Camille tackle "a whole lot of green"!

This is the scene she painted...

and if you look below you'll see her take on it.
I loved seeing all the varieties of green Camille used to make each green area different from another and it made it so much more than the actual view!
This is the first lay-in stage and I especially like the cool turquoise/teal color of the shrubs in the foreground.

I, of course, had to pick a scene that should be considered a little over my head at this stage in the workshop and since I was back to using a brush again...I was having a bit more trouble:-)

Here's my second attempt...

Such an enjoyable day, and after our critique we all gathered for a wonderful bbq at Lisa Skelly's beautiful home.  She is one of Camille's local students and generously offered to cook for us.   One of the greatest benefits of a taking a workshop like this is the camaraderie and the connections you make with other artists as we're all reaching beyond our limits, learning and laughing together.  I really appreciated making some new artist friends this week with Camille.