Edge of Day

Edge of Day

Oil on Linen

20x16

This is a larger painting I did from my smaller study that I showed two weeks ago here. I've found that it's almost impossible to do a painting exactly like another. There are always variables such as my mood, weather and what music I'm listening to that day. I think of each painting as "what was happening at that time".

A wonderful blogger, Catherine Jeffrey asked what kind of music I listen to. If you haven't had a chance to check out her blog, you're in for a treat. I swear I can hear what's going on in her paintings. Anyway, that got me to thinking that I'm all over the place when listening to painting music. Rock, alternative, classical, country, new age. It goes on and on. Lately, I've become addicted to Josh Groban. I resisted listening to him for years and now love his voice. I try to start out each painting with a little Josh.

What kind of music inspires you when you paint? I would love to know!

Moment in Time

Moment in Time

8x10

Oil on Linen

Last night my husband and I went to the symphony. I love classical music, so we usually go about once a year. There was a solo violinist who was so amazing. He knocked everyone's socks off. He was only seventeen years old, but had the talent of someone much older.

So this got me to thinking, ... are there some people who are just born with talent? What made this young man light years ahead of the rest?

I think some people discover their artistic voice very young in life and soar with it. Some people live in the moment. So I decided to call this small painting Moment in Time, in honor of that inspiring young violinist.

Contemplation

Contemplation

10x8

Oil on Linen

I haven't posted anything for a week and a half. That's because I've been working on four paintings at once and I'm still not done with the other three (but I'm close). As I've said many times before, the tonalist process takes time because of the many layers that need drying before another is applied. But that's okay. Because it's like a meditation for me.

My husband made an observation about my painting last night. He saw an artist on TV who painted a big painting in under an hour. He wasn't trying to be critical, but couldn't understand why I sit and stare and paint for hours on end. What the outside observer doesn't understand is that's when I'm in the zone. With the music cranked up in my own little world, I'm completely happy.

Art is contemplation. It is the pleasure of the mind which searches into nature and which there divines the spirit of which nature herself is animated.

- Auguste Rodin

Ha, now there's a guy who gets it.