Friday, December 26, 2008

Peaceful Moment

Winter Study
oil on canvas
8x10

The week between Christmas and New Year's is my favorite time of the year.  It feels delicious and decadent to relax after all the hustle of entertaining, cooking, socializing and taking care of hundreds of little details in preparation for Christmas.  

Suddenly it's all over.  After the cleanup, there's a hush that takes over the house as everyone takes extra time to snooze or relax.  Finally there is time to putter around, do things slowly and really notice all the beauty.  The decorations will be up for at least another week.  Now there will be time to take a leisurely stroll outside.  This is when I take my camera to scout out winter scenes for new paintings.  The colors in winter are subdue and elegant.  It takes me more time to study and record the subtle nuances than at other times of the year.  But that's okay because now the days stretch further.

I plan on doing lots of small studies in the next few months.  Transparent colors will be on the agenda this year.  I've experimented with glazes in the past but now I'm going to go further in this direction and see where it takes me.  

That's the extent of my art goals for 2009.  Ahhhh.

9 comments:

Karen said...

What an appropriately peaceful painting! I was just writing about that too, the quiet after Christmas...it is nice, isn't it? Good time for reflection. And I like that you have this one really specific goal so far...transparency!

Diane Hoeptner said...

Janelle, I'm so thrilled to discover your art blog!! I look forward to seeing more of your art. Love this little landscape and wish you many more peaceful observations in 2009!!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Karen, Yes the quiet is wonderful. Time to think and reflect!

Diane, thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be checking in with you too.

Cara said...

Janelle - this is a beautiful painting - loved your post too.
I always set goals for my painting each year but somehow life takes its own course and I end up abandoning my plans.

I mentioned in a post on my Bare Naked Me blog that my biggest problem is that I lack the discipline to be disciplined! Ha!

Celeste Bergin said...

well that is a beautiful painting! The complimentary colors and the composition .....five stars out of five!

Amy Evans said...

I like the peaceful times too...I am going back to my studio for some quiet after this break.I love your work. Happy New Year!

Marian Fortunati said...

Really nice, Janelle...
It's attractive and creates a lovely mood!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Cara, I love your blog Bare Naked Me. It's great reading.

Celeste, Thanks for your comment!

Amy and Marianne, Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year to you too!

Michelle B. Hendry said...

Beautiful - I love the colour of Winter... Happy New Year!