Texas Summer Sunset

Texas Summer Sunset
9" x 12"
oil on linen board

This is the view from the middle of the field next to my mom's house. Just over the hill is the Kerrville Highway and some motels I forget the name of. The view hasn't changed much since I was a teenager. I'm glad.

I love this painting! Not just because I am in the painting-loving-mood, I am just really excited about this one. I love that pole with all the lines and boxes and streetlights sprouting out in every direction, and the colors that just explode out of nowhere at that most magical time of the day: The Golden Hour. Rightly named. King Midas had his way with the sky and the field, and every little weed became a thing of beauty.

The first day I worked on this one was kind of a mini disaster. I didn't get everything down that I wanted and my tripod was falling apart. Yes, my lovely, new, super-fantastic tripod that I adore so very much because it shrinks down to the size of a pixie cane and weighs just a bit more than a pencil... Anyway! The next day was better, and I was thankful for the previous day's work because I was able to concentrate on what I liked best about the scene- the contrast in colors. I am wishing now that I had taken a picture of the first day's work so you could see the changes. There were changes! Not huge, luckily the infrastructure was pretty sound. Just minor things like a shadow placement here and there, but even the small changes made a big difference.

I like it so much I am going to hang on to it for consideration into the Whistle Pik show in December.

I think this is another one of those transitional paintings for me. While working on it, I felt more in control of what I was doing than I ever have been. I even scraped away some of the paint in the sky on a whim and ended up with some much needed subtle variation. I didn't freak out when some of the blue-ish green from the trees blended into the sky... I just let it be what it would be, and I like the result.

I would like to say thank you to my friend Oscar Arroyo for sparking my interest with his utterly luscious paintings of electricity poles. I love it when artists take the mundane and make it beautiful.

Oh! and this painting is on linen, not my regular canvas. I totally see why people never go back. I'm hooked. I plan on working through the last of my canvases and changing over for good. The paint behaves differently on linen. Subtle maybe, but definitely different. It just feels good.

Little update: This might be the last post I make for the next three weeks. We'll see how things go. I'm in the process of moving back to Texas, and you know how that goes...

Pip pip, cheerio- I'll be back soon!



P.S. Thank you all for leaving your comments- every blogger and artist knows the incredible value of your support!

River Road

River Road
6" x 12"
oil on canvas board

Funny, but I didn't care much for this painting until today. I tucked it away in my wet canvas carrier to dry for a few days and lo and behold- I love it! It makes me want to get out and paint more. Maybe I am just in the right sort of mood to enjoy it now.

Enchanted Rock Project- WIP

This was my first attempt at painting Enchanted Rock. The colors are way off and the dome looks like a giant potato. I am going to rework it using Enchanted Rock Shadows and some reference photos I took as a guide.

Tomorrow Mom, Soren and I are heading to Austin to run some errands, have lunch at Whole Foods, and check out Plein Air Austin's "In the Plein Air Tradition: Art on Location" show. I love Austin! I have been able to see (in person) more incredible art in the past six weeks than I have in the past year.

A Lamplit Memory

A Lamplit Memory
6" x 8"
oil on canvas board
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This was a study of reflected light and colors. Once I really started looking, I was amazed to see colors in places I wouldn't have imagined. I love this little painting.

It says warm, cozy, safe, and peaceful to me... and the picture in the painting is one of my son reclining on my arm shortly after he was born. I just may have to do this one larger.

Still playing Catch-Up

Aunt Vicki's Garden
6" x 8"
oil on canvas board
Sold

I loved the colors of the light, shadows and reflected light on and around that pot, and I had fun with the limestone paving stones.

A Break from the Heat

A Break from the Heat
6" x 8"
oil on canvas board
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Those clouds were a welcomed sight. It was so hot! I loved the cool swirling energy of the scene. It was a relief.
I truly saw something for the first time the other day- there is a warm band that usually stands between a cool color and a really intense/bright one. Does that make sense? Anyway I find myself looking for it everywhere now. I was so obsessed with it when I did this painting that I think I may have gone a little overboard with it, but I still like it. I love every painting that represents a transition in the way I see or think. It means progress.

Mark your Calenders!

Rue de Faubourg Brasserie made it into the Oil Painters of America's Western Regional Show- yehaw! I am shipping it out this week.

I cut and paste the following info about the show so I wouldn't have to paraphrase something that is already short, sweet, and to the point.

"This year’s Western Regional Exhibition will be held at the beautiful Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Washington, August 8 through August 30, 2009. Located near Seattle, Kirkland is a small, yet sophisticated town, offering many opportunities to explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest area. Situated on the shores of Lake Washington, Kirkland offers many prospects for enjoying aquatic activities and bird watching, as well as viewing the beautiful panorama of the Olympic Mountains.

Please mark you calendars now for the opening reception, which will be held on Saturday evening, August 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The awards reception will take place at approximately 7:00 p.m. A two day preview period will take place on August 6 and 7 for collectors, however, no paintings will be sold during this time.

This year’s Western Regional Juror of Awards will be Master Signature member Jeffrey R. Watts. Mr. Watts is widely regarded for his figurative work and will provide a 3 hour painting demonstration on Saturday morning, August 8. In addition, we have a full day of educational events planned including a “Meet the Expert” Q& A session with OPA president Neil Patterson and a presentation by Scott Gellatly of Gamblin Artists Colors on studio safety, environmental concerns and important tips for traveling with your paints."

Mansfield Dam: Lake View I
6" x 8"
original oil on canvas board
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Mansfield Dam: Lake View II
6" x 8"
original oil on canvas board
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I got to go paint with the Plein Air Austin Crew and these are the result. It was a great painting session filled with beautiful views, wonderful people and unexpected weather changes. We could see the rain coming from across the lake. Awesome.

Texas Oaks

Texas Oaks
6" x 8"
original oil on canvas board
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Another wonderful view from my mom's back yard. My son was taking a nap, so sat on the back door's step and stole a few minutes for this painting.

I love this painting. Greens have been giving me trouble for a while now, but I stopped trying to see them as shades of green and started looking for the reds, purples and blues instead.

I am so hooked.

My Mother's Crepe Myrtle

My Mother's Crepe Myrtle
6" x 8"
original oil on canvas board
Sold

I was visiting with my mom while she watered the back yard and fell in love with this Crepe Myrtle. The evening sun was shining on it perfectly and the blooms were fantastic.

I am amazed at how many stunning views I find in my mother's back yard. I never saw so much beauty in the Texas Hill Country as I do now. Everywhere I turn I find another spot I would like to paint. I love plein air!

Enchanted Rock Shadows

Enchanted Rock Shadows
6" x 8"
original oil on canvas board
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I had a request from a friend for a painting of Enchanted Rock, and this is one of the studies. I found a great spot with absolutely no shade that overlooks the dome. (sweatin' and paintin') One good thing about a drought is all the dust in the air that creates such beautiful atmosphere in the distance.

I look forward to going out and painting some more. This place is a great subject with endless painting possibilities.