Kansas Farm Lake

Kansas Farm Lake, oil on gessobord, 10x10"

I returned to the subject matter that I love the most for this painting, vast and sweeping farms. The photo reference  was taken last summer while driving to Colorado.  I am an urban girl, through and through, but I am always drawn to expansive amounts of space, a big portion of it untouched in many ways. I guess it's the yin and yang, the push and the pull, the balance. And the never-ending search for a scene to translate into a painting, is in itself, very humbling.

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. 

Morning Shadows and Red Bud

Morning Shadows, oil on gessoed paper, 12x9"

I was walking my dog this morning on this cold, clear day and returned to find the sun blasting my neighbors garage. I ran inside, grabbed a piece of gessoed watercolor paper, brushes, turp and medium, and I threw some paint on my palette. I moved quickly because I didn't want to lose the light.  Twenty minutes later (I was moving really quickly!) and with frozen hands and legs (I was standing in shorts) I finished this little painting. I am quite happy about a few things here: that I was able to pull this off so fast - actually the majority of my life has been pretty spontaneous so I shouldn't be so surprised, and that I improvised in a few ways I wasn't used to and it still worked. My hands have warmed up enough to type so I will just say, maybe another quick painting later today.

Long Way 'Round

Long Way 'Round, oil on Arches oil paper, 8x12"

Day 30, 30 paintings/30 Days

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This is the final painting of the 30 challenge. I am extremely proud that I accomplished 29/30 paintings, missing one only because I was too sick to stand at the easel. As I have said, the most important thing that I take away from the challenge is the fact that my painting are developing to where I finally feel comfortable again as an artist.  On a painting spectrum, my vision of what I want a finished piece to look like and the actual finished piece are each moving closer to the center.  I may take a few days off and catch up on things that have fallen by the wayside.

Also, I am happy to say that one of my 30/30 paintings has been donated as a fundraiser for St. Francis of Assisi school.  I mounted the watercolor paper on an archival board, with ph neutral glue, something I haven't tried before. The frame was also made by hand using a different method then previous frames.
Here is "Single"

Blanketed

Blanketed, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x12"

day 16, 30 paintings/30 days

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I felt the need to resurrect myself after being unhappy with the results of yesterday's painting post. I worked bigger and looser on Blanketed. I feel like I am half-way to the point in painting of where I would like to be, as far as loose application and brushstrokes  I guess the answer to that is to keep painting!

Contrast

Contrast, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x12"

day 14, 30 paintings, 30 days

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The dark blue under the clouds was actually the stormy sky breaking through under the swift clouds. My kind of scene!

Capital Reef Cow 2

Capital Reef Cow 2, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x12"

day 11, 30 paintings/30 days

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I zoomed in on a magnificently vast scene to create this painting. Capital Reef National park has many signs throughout its boundaries informing visitors of free-range cows, which is something I found fascinating. To me it signified no boundaries, literally and figuratively, an idea that I love, especially when it comes to finding a place to paint.

Collection

Collection, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 12x9"

Day 5, 30 paintings/30 days

Cattail collections are becoming some of my favorite subject matter.  Perhaps it has to do with plant matter, or being at the waters edge, or standing in the beautiful, reflective light or the fact that every time I work on a cattail painting, the color palette is so calm and appealing.  

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

Wet Creek, Arches

Wet Creek, Arches, oil on gessobord, 6x8"

This is the first painting I have done since returning from my great Western tour. I have since returned to work, and helped two of my three children back to school. My third will begin College in a week. Sigh. I hate summers end.

One of the most amazing experiences while on my trip was being submerged in vast, open spaces....everywhere!  I have been to parts of the Southwest and Northwest, but the actual West put me on senses overload. I couldn't take it all in fast enough: the sky, the heights, the constant changes in geological formations and topography, the wind, the temperatures, the sun....

Here was the only bit of water to be found on a day that I hiked for an hour, in 108º. There were warning signs in Arches National Park advising hikers to carry at least two quarts of water each when hiking a three mile trail.  

Overall this painting makes me smile. The first of many to come from the trip.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/celia-kelly/wet-creek-arches/404820

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.