Monday, November 3, 2014

A Most Inspring Quote


Rapture
16x20
Oil on Stretched Canvas


I read a most inspiring quote recently.  I need to use it as my mantra every time I get ready to paint.  

"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost." (Martha Graham)



Sunday, August 17, 2014

The Essence of Things


Remember
8x10
Oil on Linen
Sold

This small painting just sold through my Etsy store.  It is one of the simplest paintings I think I've ever done.  To me it describes the essence of what I love about the landscape.  

I have other paintings from years past that are more technically accurate.  But over the years I found that I wanted to express something different.  There is spirit in the landscape.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Summer Studio Painting


Gratitude
24x24 inches
Oil on Stretched Canvas
Some artists enjoy painting plein air.  I've done my share of painting outdoors, painting directly from nature.  But over time I come to realize that I'm more of a "memory painter".  I can observe the landscape in silence.  From there I record with my camera or sometimes simply from my own interpretation of memory.

Even if I paint from a photograph, the painting never looks like the photo.  For me the painting needs to come from somewhere inside.  Only then does my painting look truly authentic.  

Monday, June 2, 2014

Eucharisteo

Eucharisteo
Oil on Stretched Canvas
24x30


Eucharisteo is a beautiful word, simply meaning gratitude or thanksgiving.  Today I'm feeling healthy and whole and I'm grateful.  Back in April, I had an unexpected thing happen to me.  I caught the flu.  The kind that involves vomiting and that kind of thing.  Usually people rebound from this after about three days.  But I wasn't getting any better.

My husband had previously had the same thing but recovered quickly.  And he kept telling me that I should at least sit up, not lay down.  Long story short, my kidneys had stopped functioning and fortunately I got to the hospital in time.  After four days, I was discharged but the recovery took over a month.  

Now I'm back to normal and feel extremely grateful.  Eucharisteo.



Saturday, March 1, 2014

Serenity

Serenity
16x12
Oil on Stretched Canvas


I named my latest oil painting "Serenity".  Thinking of the warm, calm days of summer makes me feel serene after the long winter we've all had this year.  I find that I usually paint a place where I want to be, even if it's only in my mind's eye.

My paintings rarely turn out the way I initially visualize them.  Most of the time, they are a complete surprise.  Only after some time has passed do I come to appreciate my paintings.  Then I wonder "where did THAT come from"?