Geraniums and Friends

Geraniums and Friends, oil on gessobord, 5x7 inches

I started this painting the other day after attempting 3 others and completely wiping the paint off of the gessobord. Yes, there are (many) days that I cannot get it together. Actually, I can get it together it's just an incredibly busy time of the year, both mentally and physically for all, me included and other things are taking up my time. I was almost to the point where I was going to stop painting this particular night and chalk it up as a loss for the evening, and then this little one appeared from somewhere. It's wispy and light, and reflects my fatigue in some ways. That's not always a bad thing considering what preceded it. All in all it's a happy one :-)

Blue Soul

Blue Soul, Oil on Gessobord, 6x8 inches

I bought a beautiful blue tube of paint over the weekend and wanted to try it out.  I have finally mixed the blue that I envisioned.  This fork leads to the Ohio River on the Indiana side of the bridge, in my neck of the woods.  The forest sat in the middle of winter last year amongst a patch of still-not melted snow.  Because the sun was setting and casting immense light on the white beech trees, they looked like they were coated in snow. It was just their beautiful, natural color.

Sets of Two

Sets of Two, Oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

I found some lovely leftover fall color while walking about the other day. These sets of benches seemed to be peacefully waiting for occupants.  These days I have had to brave the cold to go out and walk, but it always ends up being worth it.  

On another note, starting Saturday I won't be posting until after the New Year.  I need time off for Christmas shopping for my children, and I will also be traveling to California.  With the New Year, I will be participating in a challenge from Leslie Saeta's blog Artist Helping Artist, called Thirty in Thirty, painting 30 paintings in 30 days. I am looking forward to the challenge, since I have been painting almost everyday and blogging most days.  Hopefully I will complete it :-)

Through the Light

Through the Light, oil on gessobord, 6x6inches

Sometimes when you least expect it you can find a beautiful little scene that is full of color amidst a mostly colorless landscape.  I love painting trees. My goal this winter is to actually get outside and paint en plein air. I have just bought myself an early Christmas present; a setup for onsite painting and I am itching to use it. Polar vortex or not, I just want to be outside on these short days. Unfortunately because I work full-time, I am limited to the weekends because of the short winter days.  

Industrial Wasteland

Industrial Wasteland, Oil on Canvas, 10x20 inches

All towns have scenes like this.  Desolate, eery, isolated areas that give off a vibe of wanting to be far, far away.  Except to me and my son who love to go traipsing down railroad tracks in industrial areas to see how much rust we can photograph.  I loved how the silos almost disappeared into the grey sky. The lone train seemed to be without purpose. The empty tracks continued on the horizon visually through the power lines. I worked on a long canvas to change up the feel, which in turn, slowed me down allowing me to work in-depth with the details this painting needed.

Snow on the Bullock-Clifton House

Snow on the Bullock-Clifton House, oil on gessobord, 

6x8 inches

The day of our first (and unusually early) snow, I walked around taking pictures in the quiet cold.  There is a house around the corner that is the oldest wood frame house in the County of Jefferson.  It has an unusual 4th story cupola that makes the house stand out, as well as its different architectural style from the neighborhood. It was an original farm house owned by two different, yet significant gentlemen, one who secured funding for the School for the Blind, and one who was a Steamboat Captain, which is significant for the Ohio river town in which I live and love.  

I loved the shadows on the decorative features this particular day. While I normally don't get so detailed, this painting was fun to work on, and I am pleased with the results.  On a side note, I was listening to Dvorak's New World Symphony while working on it, which gave me a level of energy I needed. Dvorak was the same age as I am now when he composed this work, which ended up being his last Symphony.  I am hoping my best days are ahead :-)

Unlimited Fog

Unlimited Fog, oil on gessobord, 5x7 inches

We have many bridges in Louisville, due to bordering the Ohio river.  On this day the other side of the bridge faded away into the fog. It was quite beautiful.  As much as I want to complain about lack of color associated with winter, I appreciate a good grey scale landscape such as this one. And, it was calming to paint which I always appreciate.

Rows Unbounded

Rows Unbounded, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

I had been painting all day, scenes where light and color are becoming scarce. I'll post those later this week.  Today I need stillness and color.  Winter, though not officially here, seems to be taking its toll on my mood. I had to tell my son today, as he continues to work on his AP Portfolio in Painting, not to let the weather affect how he is thinking while painting.  Easier said than done. I go back to my favorite subject; there's always comfort in familiarity.  This painting does seem to reflect subconsciously, my reaction to winter.  I loved pairing up the various greens with the purples and gold. Basic moodiness at its best.

Brunelleschi's Dome, through the Geraniums

Brunelleschi's Dome, through the Geranium's

oil on gessobord, 9x12 inches

Everything around Florence can be viewed through geraniums because geraniums are everywhere! And one can almost see the Dome of the Florence Cathedral from anywhere. It appears at the end of many nook-and-cranny walking streets at every turn, floating above it's octagonal drum. It is an engineering feat (it is said Fillipo Brunelleschi watered down the lunchtime wine of his workers while construction of the dome took place, as a "safety first" procedure). The problem solver extraordinaire and first engineer of the Renaissance is buried within the Cathedral.

The city of Florence is such a vivid place. Full of artisans and artists and overall cool folks. If you are ever there, look up the little outdoor restaurant of Francesco Vini with the beautiful Roman face. He will sing on the sidewalk to lure you in. 

                             

   

Deep, Dark Woods

Deep Dark Woods, Oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

There were very few leaves on these trees but the ones still hanging on for dear life, were caught in the sunlight. Winter is early this year and due to this, my color palette is changing.  This just means having different colors to play around with. Life as an artist is never boring :-)

Highway Blur

Highway Blur, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

I drove to Cincinnati on Saturday. The weather made it enjoyable all around. I took some photos of barns on the highway; there are so many beautiful farms along the way that I am always happy to see still exist, as difficult as it is to be a farmer these days. I painted this from one of the photos;  tranquil barns captured in a fast, fleeting moment.

In Cincy, I visited the Taft museum which currently has an exhibit called "Paris: Night and Day" . It features photos of Eugène Atget, Man Ray, Dora Maar to name a few. The photos themselves were of Paris from the 20s and were incredibly moving....simple, impromptu city scenes taken during a time when cameras were becoming portable and faster at capturing "the now".   It reminded me of what I have been trying to do with painting:  capture the moment, the now, the overlooked. 

Stillness about it

Stillness about it, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

There really is something beautiful about a semi-empty field with a black tobacco barn in the middle of it.  I love how kind of sad this old boy looks in the painting; alone but not forgotten.