Joy in Common Hours

Joy in Common Hours

12x16

This painting painted itself.  I felt like I was along for the ride to see what would happen next.  All I had to do was show up at the easel.  This happens to me occasionally when painting.  Usually it takes a lot more thought, but not this time.  Maybe it had to do with being in the zone.

When my days are uninterrupted, the work flows seamlessly.  Or maybe it has to do with the quality of light at this time of year.  The sunshine streams into my studio now.  There is a promise of Spring.

 It is the first mild day of March.

Each minute sweeter than before...

There is a blessing in the air...

-William Wordsworth

I Could be a Florida Painter in a Different Life

 Naples, FL Sunset

After the BIG snowfall this year in Chicago (20 inches), my husband and I had the opportunity to go on a business trip to Naples, Florida.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  Sunlight deprivation starts setting in this time of year.  After digging out from under the snow and experiencing extreme cold, it was time to head south.  Oh yeah, I forgot how good it feels to walk without worrying about slipping on the ice.  I forgot how the air smells when all is lush and green in the landscape.  

Our back porch after the snowfall

I took this picture through the dining room window before we started digging out.  As you can see, getting out the back door was impossible.  Luckily the front entrance as a big portico, we we were able to go out that way.  The snow was incredibly beautiful.  Especially if you were one of the lucky few who didn't have to remove it. 

Gazing out over the mangrove forest, I took some pictures of the incredible Florida sunsets.  Oh yes, I could definitely be a Florida painter in a different life.  But my lot in life is live with the four seasons.  I do love the four seasons because there is beauty in each.  Here are a couple of WIPs.  Now that we're back in Illinois, I can settle down and finish them.  That is, if there is no more digging out.

Winter Inspiration

 Watercolor painting by Joel Optholt

Finding inspiration in the depth of winter can sometimes be a challenge.  Here in the Chicagoland Midwest, it sometimes feels like we're hibernating in between going about our daily lives of working.   There are the challenges of bundling up every time we step outdoors and moving slower everywhere we go because of the snow.  I think of this time of year as "filling the well".  Here are a few of the things that inspire me.  The above painting was done by my talented brother.  His watercolors are done in a style uniquely his.  I often think of "stealing" some more of his watercolors when I go to his house.

 Evening Pines by Deborah Paris

I feel so lucky to own this original oil painting by Deborah Paris.  I've taken online classes from her and continue to learn from this very talented artist.  Her work has certainly inspired by own painting and      is a constant source of inspiration. This painting hangs in my dining room and I sometimes take it off the wall to examine this painting up close.   

 Landscape Study #28l by Tracy Helgeson

This small landscape study by Tracy Helgeson inspires me on a daily basis.  Tracy is not afraid to use vivid color in her landscapes.  She is a prolific artist and is completely original with her designs.  Here you can see the layers she uses in her painting.  I'm in awe. 

 This is a good time to dust off some old titles in the library.  Reading certainly inspires the soul.

My latest addition to the library is A History of American Tonalism:  1880-1920.  My goal is to read it from cover to cover.  It explains the mentality and philosophy of the American artists in historical terms.  But that's a subject for another post.

Where are all of you gather inspiration from at this time of year?

Bringing the Outside In

I haven't posted much lately.  My method of oil painting requires drying times between layers.  This year I plan on painting several paintings at once.  I'll post on the progress of my paintings.

I've also decided to expand the topics on my blog to what inspires me to paint.  What is it that inspires an artist to pick up the paint brush and create on canvas what is experienced on the inside?  I've found that bringing nature inside nurtures the soul.  A few years back all of my windows were covered with shades and curtains.  I cringe when I think of it now.  My brother encouraged me to appreciate the beautiful Craftman style windows in our home and remove what was covering them up.

Now the outside scenery is part of the house.  How many times do I stop and stare outside now when something catches my eyes, such as a beautiful sunset or the fall colors.  Even Leo, our cat, enjoys the view.

Nostalgic Time of Year

Every year as we go into the holiday season, I think of the To Do lists.  There is so much to be done.  Decorating the house is just one of the things on that list.  What surprises me every year is that I get caught up in the emotions of unwrapping all the treasures in tissue paper from well worn boxes.  Ghosts from Christmases Past.  Like the sleeping angel along with all the other angels in my collection.  So people know how much I love angels so I'm always receiving them as gifts.  I think of every person who picked one out for me and how much it meant.

My daughter Jessica made this ornament in first grade.  I can just picture her tiny hands gluing the macaroni on this one.

Mr. Goober - I named him that when I was four years old.

Eric made this ornament in first grade.  I love his sweet smile.  

My Dad decided to make paper ornaments one year.  I can remember him practicing on magazine paper to get the folds just right before moving on to construction paper.

This is truly a time when we're all drawn into a conspiracy of love.

Almost Done and Dreams Delayed

Lambert Lake Twilight

Oil on Linen

24x30

This painting is almost done.  I don't want to insert any more details, yet there are a couple more glazes that need to be put on.  It's at the point where I'm almost afraid to touch it.  There is more time spent at the easel gazing at it, than painting.  I look at it from across the room to see what else might need to be done.  I've spent three weeks on this painting so we're very good friends by now.

On another note, I need to mention that our move out to the country has been put on hold indefinitely.  When I found this out, it was very disappointing.  I felt like gnashing my teeth and throwing something.  After feeling sad for about a week, I've come to realize that my glass really is half full.  My husband and I have a beautiful, comfortable, yet small, home.  Our loved ones are healthy and happy.  There are too many blessings to count, yet if I were to write them down, they would fill volumes.  

Something to keep in mind this Thanksgiving season.  Abundance is all around us.  So Happy Thanksgiving and Blessings to You All.

My Sun Room Studio

I love painting in my little sun room at this time of year.  It's not too warm, not too cold.  It's just right.  This 24x30 linen panel is as big as my french easel will take.  Any larger, and I'll have to bring my big monster easel up from the basement.  And I do plan on painting larger soon.

For now I can paint, comfortably seated.  Once in a while I get up and  move way back to study the canvas from a distance.  That's when I can see the overall picture and where to go next.

Usually I close the French doors to listen to music.  My husband installed speakers that are programed to go to different rooms.  So I'll shut the speakers off that go to the living room and kitchen.  And I listen to the speakers in the sun room.  This also comes in handy if I get the urge to paint in the middle of the night.