Splendour

Splendour

20x16

Oil on Stretched Linen

I have been reading a big hefty book this summer entitled "A History of Tonalism: 1880-1920".  It isn't the kind of book that I would read cover to cover.  It is the kind where I read some and then ponder on the morsels.  In it are beautiful examples of the great American Tonalist works by artists such as George Inness, Homer Dodge Martin, John Henry Twatchtman and James McNeill Whistler.  

All of these visual delights are interspersed with the philosophies of the day by Emerson, Thoreau and Darwin.  American Tonalism came about after the Civil War.  At that time, the nation was grieving and was trying to come to grips with the horrors of loss.  As a result, there came the philosophy that Spirit is in the landscape.  And that Spirit was most apparent and visible during the Magic Hours, such as dawn, sunset, twilight and night.  

It was a time of renewal and hope.      

Evening Reflections

Evening Reflections
Oil on Stretched Canvas
18x36 inches

We're in the middle of summer already, hard to believe.  I love the sounds of the outdoors at this time of year, when it's cool enough to turn the air conditioner off and open the doors and windows.  Mostly it's the sounds of the cicadas buzzing.  Like a long exhale.

The long horizontal format in this painting is somewhat new to me.  I plan on going more in this direction with even bigger long, horizontal canvases.  This size reminds me of an actual window in a room.  

Now there is lots of time for painting in my little sun room studio.  Last year at this time, it was so busy with all the wedding preparations.  So I paint to the sound of cicadas singing.   

Dawn's Light

Dawn's Light

Oil on Linen Covered Panel

16x20

One of the best parts of summer, I believe, is getting up with the sun.  I prefer open windows in summer.  That way the sounds of the birds wakes me up before first light.  There is a kind of spiritual beauty to watching the sun rise at the start of a new day.  

Like opening a present.

Warm or Cold Weather

Evening Landscape

Oil on Cradled Panel

8x8
Sold

This time of year I enjoy the cool of the evening.  Today reached into the low nineties.  My seasonal clothes are stored in my mother's cedar chest, which I inherited from her.  Out came the shorts, sleeveless tees and sandals.  I said farewell to my favorite sweaters until next autumn.  

Even though I paint mostly warm weather scenes, I love the cooler months when I get to wear boots, scarves and denim jeans.  It seems most people will describe themselves as a "warm weather person" or a "cold weather person".  

How would you describe yourself?

Deepening the Mystery

Sweet Evening

12x16

Oil on Canvas

What makes me want to paint?  There are days when I stand in front of the easel, lost in thought, as I scoop the paint up on my brush and onto the canvas.  I can do this for hours, not realizing just how much time is going by.  For me, it's a process of entering into the painting itself and seeing where it will go.  Most of the time, I'm surprised at the result.  The painting is rarely what I initially had in mind.

I imagine it is the same for other people, whatever the creative endeavor.  Writing, playing a musical instrument, working in textiles, cooking, building furniture, etc.   We all get lost in the creative process. If I go over a week without painting, I just don't feel "right".  It's what I do.  And I hope to still be painting when I'm 90 years old.

May you all be blessed with enjoying the creative process during 2013!

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.

- Francis Bacon

Here Comes the Bride

 My daughter, Jessica, got married on September 22 this year.  This bridal gown was my mother's, mine and now hers.   As you can see there are lots of buttons going down the back and it took me and two bridesmaids, taking turns. to get them all buttoned.  The flower girl counted them as 46 in all.

 Jess and Bill got married outdoors at my brother-in-law's farm in the country.  Luckily the weather was about 60 degrees and sunny.  The arbor has grapevines from the farm property.

 They met on Match.com almost two years ago.  The rest, as they say, is history.  I feel so very lucky to have this great guy as my son-in-law.

This is my latest work in progress.  I'm finally settling back into my daily routine in my tiny sunroom studio.  I hope to catch up with everyone's blogs now that things have winded down somewhat.   It's been a very blessed year.

August Sabbatical

Silver Springs Sunset

Oil on Linen, 24x24

Sold

Just yesterday, I was informed that my painting Silver Springs Sunset was sold.  Lisa, the owner of American Artworks Gallery called and let me know.  I love it when my paintings go out into the world with a brand new owner!

I have been on a painting sabbatical for weeks now.  My daughter is getting married in September and there are lots of exciting plans being made.  This Sunday is her bridal shower.  So my head is full of things like flowers, wedding dresses and such.  

So I'm thinking that come October and November,  I will get back into the gentle, quiet days of painting in my little sun room studio.  The paints, brushes and canvases can wait.