Accepting Winter

I've decided to accept the fact that I live in New England

and our winters are cold, snowy, and long. 

It's time to capture the joy of the season and do a 

"snow painting" or two. 

(Plein air is out of the question. 

Just taking Cello for a walk in the woods 

with the ice and downed trees, is like Chinese torture)

Winter Warmth

12 x 12 

My husband recently e-mailed me an image he'd found and said;

"this would make a good painting". 

I rarely paint from images I don't take myself, 

but this was compelling and had promise.   

How fun is that? 

He gets the whole light and shadow thing! 

Thanks hon!  

Tropical

Our GJWP challenge this month is

"TROPICAL"

Very appropriate, given where we live 

and the winter we are having!  

Sam Art Dog inspired me with her 

zippy fish post a few days ago.

"Zippy Fish"

6 x 8 

It was fun to get out the 

Cobalt Turquoise, Cadmium Green, and 

Quinacridone Red! 

I've been jonesing for bright color lately! 

Thanks Sam! 

"Nestled Inn"

We are pretty much back to normal now, 

so I was happy to spend a few hours 

"on the Cape" yesterday.  

"Nestled Inn" 

11 x 14 

It's difficult to put a stroke down and leave it alone 

on these larger architectural pieces.   

Since having an accurate drawing is so important, 

I tend to fuss too much,

which takes the freshness out of them. 

The smaller ones "read" better I think.   

I almost like the sketch better than the painting!   

Nemo Aftermath

The aftermath of Nemo is making everyone 

"winter weary"and cranky, including me. 

So I was thrilled to be back in my warm studio today! 

(I'm one of the lucky ones, believe me)

I'd mapped out a few painting ideas on canvas's 

before the storm, so I was able to get right to work. 

"Chatham Bars" Blue 

8 x 10 

I've painted this cottage before but I took a lot of detail out this time. 

I'm trying out a new surface here-

Utrecht's Belgian Linen Master's Panel 

The jury is still out, but I think I like it. 

Storm Note: 

We got our power back yesterday 

so I spent the day putting things back together

and running errands.

I found this on the counter when I got home!  

My dear friend Sally did this for my birthday! 

Nemo flying over our house in Humarock Beach,

an area that gets hit incredibly hard during storms. 

(Thankfully, we had little to no damage!) 

I love her magical little watercolors.

Check them out here! 

Meanwhile: That's how strong the waves were!

Look at the size of that washed up rope 

compared to Cello. !  

Blizzard 2013

We haven't had power since Friday night 

and no one knows when it will be restored.

It's a real mess out there. 

I managed to do a few sketches on Saturday 

sitting by the fire.  

That was fun for about an hour.

By Sunday night we couldn't take it anymore,

so we moved in to a hotel. 

A hot shower never felt so good! 

Will keep you posted! 

  

Life On Hold

A major storm is coming tonight so life, in general, is on hold.  

Watching the news just makes me anxious, 

so I spent a few happy hours in the studio

painting this as the snow arrived.    

Summer Camp

11 x 14 

I've been organizing my photos lately and found 

some great images of Cape Cod architecture.

 Trying out some ideas for my show at the 

Cove Gallery in Wellfleet, MA

this summer.

Now, back to reality.

Stay safe everyone! 

I'll be grateful for every minute 

that we have power! 

  

Value to Color

Back To Basics 

Class #3 

"Value does all the work, color gets all the credit"
I love that!
This week we worked on seeing value in color.

We first did a value study

using only a 

darkest dark, lightest light, and middle value.

Your big shapes have to fall into one of those values. 

Because the value jumps are so exaggerated, 

the result is a very dramatic design.

We then did the same set up using color,
trying to maintain the drama.
We mixed up the color, then compared the value of it
directly on the black and white study.
(the dots above)

It is amazing how far off you can be! 

This exercise really helps you see color as a value.
Everyone "got it" and the results were amazing!
.
Unfortunately, I didn't get great images of them with my I Phone
but you get the idea!