Evening Shore

Evening Shore

Oil on Linen

8x10

Just a small, simple painting today.  I'm feeling lazy from sailing on Lake Michigan yesterday.  It's like the words from the song "summertime and the living is easy".  

Linen instead of Canvas

Ridge Path

8x10

Oil on Linen

This painting is the first I'm posting that is done on linen instead of canvas.  I couldn't believe what a difference it made to the glazing process.  It's more expensive than what I'm used to painting on which is acrylic primed smooth canvas.  

But the results were worth it to me and I've quickly become addicted.  So what am I going to do with the canvases already in my possession?  I might give them to my brother.  In the last few years we started hauling out canvases and paints whenever there is a get-together or family party.  People who haven't touched a paintbrush since they were kids are encouraged to add "something - anything" to the canvas.  Usually I start out by painting some sort of form, or my brother will, and pretty soon people get caught up in the fun. 

At the end of the party, we'll draw numbers and someone gets to keep the painting.  Everyone seems to love it!

Sunrise, Again

Sunrise

22x28

Oil on Canvas

This painting is finally completed.  It's taken a very long time because I'm still learning about the tonalist process.  Another reason it's taken so long is because it's a much larger painting than my original study which was only 8x10.  To see the study, check here.

Of course, the more I keep on this path, the more I learn.  And the more confident I become with the process.  I need to work on some more large canvases, since I'll be the solo artist displaying at Glen Ellyn Public Library in September.  But for now, I'm taking a summer Fourth of July break out at my brother-in-law's farm.  Nothing but swimming, hiking and listening to the frogs.  Have a great Fourth, everyone!

Twilight Hour

View of Twilight Sky

Outside my Front Door

I have several paintings going at the moment, but none of them are complete.  They are being worked on in rotation because with the method I'm using, only a small amount of glazing and scumbling can be done per day.  So today, I'm showing some reference material I'm gathering.  The goal is to portray the twilight hour.  I used color imaging in iPhoto on my Mac to change the color of this sky from deep blue to yellow-orange.  It will be a jumping off point for future paintings.

When I come up with a composition that I like, I find the idea needs to simmer for a while.  I work it out in sketches, moving things around with pencil and eraser until I come up with something that works.  Rarely do I find a composition in nature that is perfectly composed.  I would love to hear about how you come up with compositions that work! 

Summer Solstice

Peace by the River

16x20

Oil on Canvas

Tomorrow is Summer Solstice.  It's also Father's Day, so we all have two reasons to celebrate.  My husband is on his annual fishing trip up in International Falls, Minnesota.  Every year about twenty guys go up in a caravan of vehicles and fish to their hearts' content for one week.  They've been doing this for the last twenty-some years.  Our son is with them this year, so at least he'll celebrate Father's Day with one of his children.

There is a magic in the air at this time of year.  At the true beginning of summer the fireflies put on their nightly display.  The flowers smell especially sweet in the humid evening air and the moon has an enchanting halo around it.  There are so many gifts in nature.  It's hard to take it all in at once.  But I'll try.  Maybe I'll sleep on the back porch tonight.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lincoln Marsh River June

5x7

There are voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.    Ralph Waldo Emerson

From reading my blogger friends' posts, I've noticed something in the air lately.  Blogger burnout.  Over the past few months,  people are saying that they can't find the words, don't have time to post, too busy.  Just too much on the plate at the moment.  Something has to give.

I've been there myself.  Which is why I intend to ruminate on the above quote this summer.  It's only in solitude that we hear our own authentic voice, whether it's daydreaming, journaling or quietly pursuing our interests and hobbies.  It's time to fill the well.

Yonder

Yonder

22x28

Oil on Canvas

This painting is finally completed.  I've been working on this one for several weeks, on and off.  It is done in a tonalist style which requires an underpainting, and the numerous build-up of painting layers of opaque paint and transparent paint.  Each layer needs to dry completely before the next is applied so that each color shows through.  

This method of painting is new to me.  I've been completely immersed in this process this year and plan to continue in this style.  It's a process that seems to progress inch by inch.  But I'm more pleased with the results than my previous painting style.  I've learned to slow down and be more patient.  Like the changing of the seasons, some things just can't be rushed.