Tobacco Storage

Tobacco Storage 

Oil on gessobord, 8x10"

Here is the third of three paintings done last week at Camp Nelson, in Kentucky. The wheat field I was overlooking was full of incredible color that changed with the light. The barn at the top of the hill is what drew my attention. It was a weathered grey, but in the light of the day, and against the brilliant wheat field color it was almost periwinkle. The sky was a similar color so the two blended together effortlessly.

One Tree Hill, France

"One Tree Hill, France"

Oil on gessobord, 8x10"

When I received this photo from my sister, who often visits France's vineyards, I loved the ancient stone structure and neatly tended rows of grapes. However, I was really drawn to the single tree waving in the wind. While it was overshadowed in a landscape of beauty, it became my focal point. When I search vast fields for my own composition, my eyes are often drawn to a single object. And often, it too, gets lost in a field of beauty.

Long Run

Long Run, oil on gessoed hardboard, 8x10"

I have been looking at several contemporary painters that I consider successful abstract landscape painters. This can be a blurry area, and many attempt it. However, it is obvious when it is not done well.  This is my first honest and conscious attempt at abstraction with landscape.  I'm not sure it worked, but I am still happy with it and feel like I worked through it more then the eye can see. I believe I will continue to work on these - as small scale, learning works. Note to self: prepare a limited palette prior to painting based on reference photo or subject matter. 

The Place to Go

"The Place to Go", oil on gessoed board, 8x10"

Ah, cityscapes. Will it ever get any easier for me to accomplish?  This old soul of a building is walking distance from my house. I shot a few photos when the weather was warm and the light was bright.  I just need more practice.

Highlights and highway"

Oil on gessobord

8"x10"

I got up this morning to work on a quick, loosely stroked landscape to cheer myself up. I have had a rough week and needed some focus time. The reference for this painting was from the highway while driving to Kansas City last weekend to see my art school daughter!!

Rainy day Sunday

Rainy Day Sunday, oil on board, 8x10"

I went out to paint yesterday and the sky was cloudy AND  sunny. Soon it turned into a downpour. I had brought my umbrella just in case, and in the process of opening it, I spilled my odorless mineral spirits and medium.  Brand new  bottles :-).  Nevertheless I continued painting until the downpour turned to a drizzle. And then the sun came out....again.

Park Road

Park Road, oil on gessobord, 8x10"

The "heat dome" has spread over the majority of the U.S. and I went out to plein air paint earlier this week. I learned a lot during my 3 hours in the park near my home such as:   
1. when the light is overly bright, tone down your colors  2.  when dealing with mostly greens, decide the spectrum and mix up four greens to simplify this spectrum.  3. Bring food if you haven't eaten yet. I started to get shaky even though I was in the shade.
Also,  I want to say that several strangers spotted me and stopped to chat and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations.  Thanks for taking the time  out of your exercising  to do so.  

Windy Bernheim

Windy Bernheim, oil on gessobord, 8x10"

Yesterday, to take advantage of a rain-less day, I took Rothko (see pic below) to Bernheim to paint and hike.  I wanted to continue with the vast, tiered landscapes of the Parklands series (which will continue hopefully tomorrow), so I set up near the Educational Building, stuck my set-up around a corner of the building to use as a wind block. The wind gusts still found us, and at times I was having to hold the pochade box with one strong hand or risk the entire set-up blowing over. It was an adventure that took a lot of laughing, and having Rothko there to helped me sustain. Out of these conditions came this sweet little landscape. 

Deep Space

Deep Space, oil on gessoed hardboard, 8x10"

My latest landscape done early this morning. Working towards more abstraction. Baby steps for now and it feels good.  

Illinois

Illinois, oil on gessoed hardboard, 8x10"

I've been wanting, for my own knowledge and ability, to start pushing to the abstract end of the spectrum of painting, without abruptly changing immediately. I don't think that would be good for the thought process that goes into each work.  I found a reference photo that I took while driving through Illinois on the way to St. Louis, that is geometry all the way. As I told my son, the artist, I used a palette knife, not to apply paint (brushes only at this juncture) but to take it off exposing other color underneath, or to manipulate texture in other areas. 

This painting is dedicated to my friend Shawn, who left this world on Tuesday. He had been living in Iowa for a few months. These fields reminded me of the Iowan heartland. 

Cattails 3

Cattails 3, oil on gessobord, 8x10"

Cattails 3, oil on gessobord, 8x10"

Here is a painting I did last week. I love painting cattails, and I had taken this photo reference the last time I was at my favorite Nature Preserve. The light was bright and the water was actually the star of the show this particular day.

In other news, I found a vintage camper, drove 5 hours to South Bend, IN then drove it home to Louisville this weekend. Yesterday, I spent the day tearing out replaced ceiling paneling that was hiding a lot of previous water damage, and found more work then I ever imagined (mold, rotting everything), BUT I got it, and am extremely excited over it's potential for my mobile gallery/studio, ARTwheels. 

My gofundme account is still very much active and seeking donations from all you wonderful people, the money now directed towards the unanticipated, complete renovation that this camper lovingly needs. Here's the link, and thank you to all of those wonderful folks who have contributed already. It is because of you this dream is coming to fruition!!!
https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=search&term=artwheels

Summer Barn Alone

Summer Barn Alone, oil on gessobord, 8x10"

This is the latest addition to the barn series. The longer I continue it, the more fun I have. My aim is to eventually have the geometry of the barn itself as the focal point, and let the landscape be a complement. Right now I think I have that backwards.

Summer Companions

Summer Companians, oil on hardboard, 8x10"

I've been working my way through a barn series, and this one was very satisfying to paint. I struggled at first because I had purchased a different brand of hardboards, and they were a lot "slipperier" then the Ampersand variety I'm acclimated to.  I decided to slow down, and actually work on it in shifts.  I normally start with a ground layer, but this didn't work either due to how slippery the surface was.  I decided to build up the paint instead, letting it set, rather than dry, and to use less medium. It seemed to work, and I was even able to get a bit animated with it. I love the specks of bright red that ended up standing out among the green.

Graduation Carnation

Graduation Carnation, oil on gessobord, 10 x 8"

I have been enjoying all the lovely painted flowers on DPW so I wanted to try it myself. The only flowers I could find were some carnations given to my son by a fellow student, for his high school graduation. I haven't had much luck in the flower area, though it hasn't been for the lack of trying. This one turned out to my liking!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/graduation-carnation/393444

Italian Landscape(s)

 Italian Landscape (Me), oil on gessobord, 8x10"
SOLD

Italian Landscape (Hugh), oil on gessobord, 9x14"

A couple of nights ago I ask my son Hugh, who was in an "almost a graduate, not yet done with high school" mood, aka no more assignments to deal with, to paint with me. That perked him up. Since I returned to painting a year ago, we have not had an opportunity to work side-by-side, again because his Visual Arts magnet school provided him with plenty of work. He usually had 2-3 assignments going on together, whether it be painting, drawing, photography or printmaking.  Kind of like  being an art major in college, but he is still in high school. 

He decided to call our painting time a "paint off" and he chose an image from which we worked.  It was a great experience, and fun, and in my opinion his painting was a hundred times better than mine. He picked this image because the sky was so dramatic, and his painting captures it beautifully. I am very proud of him and know it will be difficult when he leaves for college in the fall.