Sunswept

"Sunswept", oil on gessoed board, 11x14"

If you have ever scrolled through my paintings on the CeliaKellystudio page you will see over the last two years I have painted a lot of vineyard scenes. I have always love the symmetry and organization it took to plant and maintain rows and rows of fruit. And it helps to have a sister who sends unlimited photos of various Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, St. Helena and everywhere in between!!

September in Napa 2

September in Napa 2, oil on hardboard, 14x11"

Recently I found some precut hardboards at my local art supply store.  The price was reasonable, so I bought two to try. I had to gesso them which was enjoyable; the Ampersand gessobords that I usually paint on, come pre-gessoed, so it has taken some of the hands-on process away. When I was in college, I used power tools to make my own stretcher bars, stretched and stapled the canvas taut until it pinged (was hard on my hands), and then applied three coats of gesso. It was a ground-up process, and I loved it.  The hardboards turned out to be to my liking so I can paint a little bigger for a reasonable price. September in Napa 2 is referenced from another photo taken by my sister on a recent visit to her "second home".  The composition was so straightforward I had a bit of difficulty with it. I think, in the end, I liked the way the shadowed vines in the foreground broke up the space.