Sunset

Moving along to sunset, here are a couple more studies.  Again, they're not completely finished as they need more glazes.  I'm attempting to do observation work to capture the time of day and the many colors it produces. And the best way to do that is to simply go outside and observe.  Also, color memory work is important.  I intend to keep a color journal and sketchbook in order to record what I observe as quickly as possible on a small scale.  This is a frontlit scene with the sun behind the viewer, the moon starting to rise in front.

This sidelit scene needs more glazes in the sky and ground.  Each layer of glaze really changes things so I'm trying to do it gradually.  But I do think the glazing stage is the fun part!

Dawn

This unfinished piece is one of three I've done so far in Deborah Paris's online class.  The assignment was to portray dawn.  Using cooler colors is one of the hallmarks of any dawn painting.  

Taking a workshop or class always pushes my comfort level.  After trying to jam new facts into my brain, the best results are usually seen months later.  It takes me that long to assimilate what I've learned and feel comfortable with the process.  Has anyone else experienced this with workshops or classes?

Unexpected Artist's Date on Navy Pier

Yesterday I was planning to paint.  I had cleared my calendar and gotten chores out of the way for a blissful day of working in the studio.  But you know what they say about the best laid plans.  My daughter is running in the Chicago Half Marathon this Sunday.  One of the requirements is to pick up your shirt and running number at Navy Pier on the Friday before the Marathon.  She didn't feel like going by herself, so she talked me into going with her.

It was a beautiful fall day.  We had lunch on Navy Pier, picked up her things, and then I spied the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows near the end of the pier!  What an unexpected beautiful experience.  These images are some of windows produced by Tiffany.

If you ever get to Chicago, try to visit this exquisite jewel of a museum.  And the best part is that it's free!

Photography by Jessica M. Goodwin

Abundance

Abundance

24x30

oil on linen

Here is my latest large painting done in Tonalist style.  It was completed about five weeks ago and since then I've put it in a black frame.  I think the black sets it off nicely.  

The thing I've noticed about paintings done in this style is that they seem to glow on the walls.  Unlike some of my Impressionist work, one notices the many layers of opaque paint, translucent paint and transparent passages.  I've fallen head over heels in love with this style.  Although the learning curve has been extremely steep for me, I think it's been worth the many months of study.  

Very soon my new on-line class starts with Deborah Paris.  It's called Magic Hours.  I'm so grateful to her for showing the way.

Library Exhibit and Too Many Tomatoes

Whew!  My paintings are finally all framed and hung at the Glen Ellyn Library for the month of September.  As most artists know, getting one's work ready for a show is usually more work than actually painting.  I'm one of those artists who would rather be in the studio, happily creating, than anything else.  
I like how my husband hung my paintings.  He cleverly separated my Impressionist work from my Tonalist work.  I think he did a great job.
We had some extra space at the end, near the wall.  So I thought I'd bring in some of my older pastel work.  Of course, soft pastels need to be under glass, so all you see is glare in some of these.
Here's a sample of just a few of the tomatoes we have on hand right now.  There are many more bags in the downstairs refrigerator.  There's always a  HUGE influx of tomatoes at this time of year.  These are too small to make tomato sauce.  I was thinking of making batches of salsa and freezing them.  Does anyone have any more ideas on what to do with all these tomatoes?

Back in my Pastel Days

Hidden Falls

Pastel on Paper

I thought it might be fun to show one of my pastel paintings from quite a few years back.  This was before I took up oil painting.  I used to love painting with soft pastels.  I loved the immediacy of the medium and the glowing, rich colors.  But at that time, my studio was a tiny little room in the back of our basement.  It had nice light with two windows.  I would sit and paint for hours and be very content.  The problem was the pastel dust.  I was literally inhaling it.  Then one day I decided to go in a completely different direction and taught myself how to work in oils.

People still say, ooooh I loved some of the pastels you painted.  Why don't you do it anymore?  Well, that was then and this is now.  And there's something about using brushes.  Guess I just found a new love.

Things I Learned from Lucy

Lucy was a wild puppy when we got her at 6 months old.  She lived with my brother and sister-in-law for a short while.  They had gotten her from the animal shelter.  We think originally she was a Christmas puppy, but whoever had her couldn't handle her.  Then my husband's brother gave her to us when they had an elderly relative living with them.  Again, too wild.

She was almost too wild for us.  One time she broke my foot when I had her on the leash walking through a forest area.  She didn't mean to.  She just wanted to run and my foot twisted.  For the next two years we constantly walked her and threw the frisbee.  We tried to wear her down a little.  No such luck.

Then one day, she started calming down.  Her true personality shined through and she completely wormed her way into everyone's hearts.  Here's what she taught me:

Be tolerant.  Even with the ungrateful cat.

Chase coyotes off the property.  We need to protect our loved ones.

Wag your tail when you see people you like.

And most of all, never pass up the opportunity to have a good time, like chasing the ball, swimming or playing frisbee.

We had to put Lucy down Monday evening. She let us know that it was time.  I'm sure that right now she's in heaven being a totally wild puppy.