Figures in Acrylic

Now that I have an acrylic "set up" in my studio,
I couldn't wait to try doing a figure.

"Bound and Determined"

8 x 8 acrylic 

I 'd forgotten how you can keep going at it 

and not make mud, 

which can be good and bad. 

It's so easy to over work it! 

 This was loosely inspired by this 

painting by Sarah Benham, 

an artist I just discovered! 

Surprise Plein Air Outing

It was magically 70 degrees today, 

so I dropped everything to paint outside. 

Thankfully, I ended up in my pal Sally's yard. 

The New England landscape is still very muted and brown,

 so her cool kiwi green umbrella and chairs got me inspired.   

  

Sally's Deck

8 x 10 

This needs fixing for sure, 

but I was just so happy to be out there

in a t-shirt, listening to music, soaking up the sun.

It was a joyous spring surprise. 

NOTE:  Last season I didn't get to do much plein air painting 

because Cello was such a puppy.

Sally's fenced in yard was perfect for our inaugural outing!   

Once she explored the area

 she was content to just soak up the sun! 

Happy times are here again. 

Acrylics / Oils

I am often asked if my 

"One Hour Painting" approach 

works with acrylics as well as oils. 

I decided I'd better try it and find out! 

Beach Patrol

8 x 8 acrylic 

This was so fun because it was so different! 

I love how acrylics dry so fast, and you can fix things. 

Although it makes it tempting to blend

so it's harder to leave brush strokes alone.

I loved doing this today.  

I set up same way I do for oils,

using the same pallet and a gallery wrapped, grey toned canvas. 

I chose a favorite image of a house that I have painted 

many times before in oils.

I was so into it (and worried about the paint drying)

 that I forgot to take progress images,

and it was fun!  

After I painted the one in acrylic, 

I found this (dark) image of an oil I did 

February 4, 2006! 

Interesting!   

I guess the approach works with both. 

 I can't wait to explore this further!   

Note: I'm teaching another 

six week class at SSAC (#320)

beginning April 23.

Happy Birthday Grier

Our daughter Grier brought us a gorgeous bouquet
of orange and yellow tulips with  

white ranunculus last weekend.  

Happy Birthday Grier!

9 x 12 

Yesterday was her birthday, 

so I wanted to paint them in a style that reflects who she is! 

Colorful, Bold, Brave, and Fun! 

Meanwhile:

Stephen Coyle is having an opening 

of some new paintings at the 

Chase Young Gallery

in Boston  

this Friday April 5 

6 - 8 pm.

by Stephen Coyle

This guy just keeps on amazing me!  

  

Fixer Uppers

I finally got to "fix up" 

some paintings today that were bugging me. 

"Perfect for Two"

(after)  

This was the before.

I got rid of the  awkward clapboards, darkened the trees and 

lightened the sky. 

"Summer Camp"

(after) 

(before)

The angle of the big window on the right was driving me crazy,

so I fixed it. 

And I lightened the sky.

 Note:

I've changed the name of my blog about my painting classes with 

people with Alzheimer's to 

Connecting with Paint.

If you were previously subscribed to 

"Patience with Patients" 

you will need to re-subscribe to the new one.

Right hand side, just submit your email address.

Thanks for following! 

Soft Sunlight

The  GJWP challenge this month is 

"sunlight".

Good Morning! 

6 x 8 

My personal challenge here was to create the feeling of sun light 

in a subtle, soft, warm way.

(Instead of my usual exaggeration of strong light and shadow patterns) 

The added challenge of mixing up all those colorful whites,

 was a treat as well! 

Here is my palette.

Our posts are due at the end of every month,

which lands on Easter Sunday.

I for one, am as happy as can be, to see this month end!  

PKR is coming to New England!

I was recently alerted that Peggi Kroll Roberts
is giving a workshop this summer at the new
Northeast Art Workshop Retreats

in Gloucester, MA. 

Figure study by PKR

4.5 x 3.5

 I bought this little gem at a PKR workshop I took back in 

January of 2003 in Fredericksburg, TX.

Her approach to painting and style of teaching 

made a huge impression on me back then 

and I've been a big follower ever since. 

6 x 8 Demo from workshop

I also came home with this. 

She did this quick demo "just for me" on my canvas

and then gave it to me. 

I thought that was the most generous gesture!