Facing West

Facing West

16x20

Oil on Linen

This painting is finally completed after lots of layers of glaze and opaque paint.  It requires many, many sessions of back and forth with the layers, examining the effects between drying times.  This is the painting I did from a photograph taken right outside my front door as the sun was going down.  That is to say - it was inspired by the photograph.  You can check it out here.

I'm gearing up for my solo exhibition at the Glen Ellyn Public Library for the month of September.  I have quite a bit of wall space to fill up and I wish I had more tonalist work done at this point.  But it looks like it's going to be half of my tonalist work and half of my impressionism work.  Hmmm.  I hope it doesn't look too strange!

Farm Field Sky

Farm Field Sky

8x10

Oil on Linen

The tree line in this painting is taken from a photograph I took at my brother-in-law's farm.  There is a field next to the farmhouse.  The crops are rotated there - one year corn, the next year soybeans.  In this painting, the crops have been harvested.  The farmers come in with huge combines and the job is done in a very short time.

I'm still working on those changes.  

Bounty

Bounty

5x7

Oil on Canvas

While I've been enjoying reading about everyone's painting adventures this summer, I've turned to my studio and realize I need to reorganize.  So this is what I'll be doing in the coming weeks.  Not only am I reorganizing my studio, but I'll be reorganizing my blog and website.  I'll talk more about that later, as the changes actually happen.

For me, the start of the new year is autumn.  When I was a kid I loved getting ready for school and planning for all the new starts and a fresh slate.  New school supplies, clothes and shoes.  Seeing friends again in a new way.  And what better time is there to make plans and mull things over than in the lazy dog days of August.

Bella Sinclair Award and My Latest Study

Oh, the lazy days of summer.  Lately I just feel like enjoying these days because before we know it, we'll be going into autumn.  Time for walks, sailing, festivals and endless barbeques.  Okay, back to reality - the above painting is one that I did as a study for further work.  I'm always trying for that glow!  

And I was very pleased and honored to receive the Bella Sinclair Award for "Friendship, Sisterhood, Sharing and Caring" from Laurel Daniel.

I've received some awards in the past and I must admit that I usually have mixed feelings.  Although I'm very grateful and flattered, I feel slightly uncomfortable naming only certain fellow bloggers.  Because most bloggers I meet on the internet are wonderful people in their own ways.  Therefore, I consider the wonderful ladies in my own Critique Group to be my sisters because they are exposed to my faults and weaknesses!  They are:  Loriann Signori, Karen Phipps,  Jala Pfaff, and Melinda Esparza.  

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!