Bummer, missed class today!

Last night I went through the "what to paint" drama as I often do before Thursday class. Do others go through that anxiety too, I wonder? Anyway, I decided, rather than paint for others, this week I'd paint for myself and am doing a picture of the "Dragon Theatre" (Theatr y Ddraig) in Barmouth, Wales. The backstory is, I was scanning old photos last week for the "what to shoot" drama and came upon these old first-ever digitized photos we'd taken when visiting Wales in 1995 with David's Mom who was raised there in Barmouth. It was too much work for last week, but yesterday, I cleaned up that photo in photoshop, printed a good, clear copy, used my handy dandy photo projector last night, and traced the main outlines of the image on a 16 x 20 canvas I was going to work on today. BTW, this tracing works far better at night in the dark since contrast and image are much clearer. And my projector's the cheapest of the cheap but works just fine for what I needed it for.

So, cut to this morning: I was fine when I awoke, showered, had my morning coffee, but as I moved about getting things ready for Margot's portfolio photo shoot and for painting after, I started feeling dizzy. Nevertheless, as I hurried about, I got worse and worse, but knew I had to make the shoot since Margot had put together all of her paintings to bring. I just didn't know about the painting afterwards but hoped I'd feel better once out of the house and into fresh air. As I drove into Nashville, I wondered. "Could it have been the honey oat rolls I started yesterday and let rise overnight before baking this morning? Maybe the combo produces something toxic?"

Well, toxic or not, the photo shoot went well although at first I was still a little bit shaky, but I got focused on it and managed to (I hope) get great shots of each item she placed before me on the easel. At the end, though, the heat was cranked up and folks rolled in and there was commotion and warmth and crowds and I realized it would be most charitable for me and for the rest of the gang if I took my suspected germs and evacuated the premises, so I left after giving Margot the card from the Canon EOS I used for her pictures.

On the way home, feeling cooler, in fresh air, I figured a quick stop at Michael's wouldn't do too much harm. After all, I really needed drawing supplies and could always use more painting supports if any were on sale. Wouldn't ya know? Canvas 2 packs were 40% off. And I picked up a gesso masonite board to try too as I've never worked on one of them. And charcoal sticks because, as much as I've never been one to draw and doodle, I figure I will only get better if I learn to draw!

Wish me luck.

Lesson for today: A cheap photo projector is great for enlarging fixed-size images so you can trace them onto canvas to paint.

A great day with Margot!

I mentioned Margot a while back in relation to her painting her "opus" - this lovely abbey in Scotland that she worked on for several weeks. My first impression of this wise woman was that she was intense and really knew her stuff. Her brother is one of the world's premier "Photo realists" fecthing in excess of $100,000 for one of his paintings. Clearly, the skill runs in the family because Margot's abbey turned out spectacularly and everything else I have seen her work on since that time is wonderful too.

Anyway, Margot had some computer problems and was hoping to get her "portfolio" in good digital order to send some of her works to a couple of galleries. I, married to a techie and a semi-pro photographer myself, have some good understanding of what she could use so I volunteered to help her with this need, hoping some of her genius might rub off on lil ole me.

I went over to her place today and was so impressed! It's a little cottage in Green Hills, and has the charm and structure of all the great older homes in Nashville. And sprinkled throughout are paintings Margot has done over the years to reach out and grab even the most lifeless person with touches of the ethereal beauty that fill her work. She's into mountains and clouds but whatever she paints is gorgeous. And she has so many too! Even after selling/giving away oodles, Margo must have 30 canvas paintings and umpteen watercolors floating around. Talk about eye candy! I was in heaven!

When it was time to check out the photos of her work on her computer, the photo-geek that I am was horrified! Clearly, she needed my help! Unfortunately, ditz that I can be, I forgot my camera bag so we agreed to shoot them at the gallery Thursday at my next painting day where the lighting would be great. It will be her digital portfolio and I'm glad I can help. I honestly can't wait to get another glimpse of these works in the great lighting at the gallery/studio.

I went home filled with inspiration and dying to do some more painting, but alas, it's the end of the work month and I have work to complete so I can bill others, get paid, and then pay my own bills!

Bird brain!

Getting bolder now, what with the closer-up view of the bird and all! But I absolutely could not resist doing this one since I knew the feathers would mean lovely, fluid strokes, and the headpiece hinted at just the greatest fun!

It absolutely did not disappoint either! I did this one in class, too, recently, and am very glad I did since I was trying to go right from the photo and had the top (blue), painted in a similar color as the bottom. As usual, Hazel's voice reminded "Photos can lie!" and I received a lecture on values yet again. The middle area was much busier, and while she didn't recommend changing it, I decided it needed punching up too.

I wish I had gone with a pure, one color background but what I have ended up with here is far better than what I was working with originally.

Thank you again, Hazel!

Today's lesson: Keep the background as simple as possible when the subject is so singular and b.g. doesn't add to it!

Congaree Swamp

Using a gorgeous reference photo, I did this painting in acrylics for the family of a dear friend, Doug. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack before age 60 about 3 years ago and his wife and daughter have become dear friends of mine too. Doug and I carpooled to work together for several months not long before he died and he glancingly mentioned having played a part in protesting development in this swamp area in South Carolina where he lived as a teen.

At his funeral, I discovered the truth: he was one of fewer than 10 people who managed to save this swampland from development. Today it is know as Congaree National Park and this is what the park proudly says:

"Welcome to the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent! Experience national and state champion trees, towering to record size amidst astonishing biodiversity. Walk, paddle or just relax within this dynamic floodplain ecosystem. Beauty and tranquility reign supreme in the midst of this natural treasure."

Thanks to Doug and his friends.

In painting the reflections for this painting (which I learned, come directly at the viewer, and have no relation to how the sun shadow works), I turned the painting over often to ensure I was accurate in how the reflections were coming out. It's not perfect, but I am so proud to have made this lovely little contribution to the memory of a dear friend. I captured the image digitally, as I do all of my paintings.

Today's lesson: Reflections come directly at the viewer, a perfect mirror image of what's above. Shadows, on the other hand, go away from the direction of light and have no relation to the viewer.

A horse picture! For a special couple!

You know those times when the stars align just perfectly for you? Painting this picture was one of those times.

Meryem (Mary) and Fernando (Tingo) are close friends of my younger son Pete. Tingo was Pete's squad leader in Iraq and he and his wife have been so dear to us during and since that experience.

I wanted to do something nice for them and Meryem is studying to be an animal therapist. On her facebook page she recently uploaded a photo of her on this lovely white horse she was working on. The next day I was walking in our local park in a different direction and happened upon meandering meadows and hills with lovely late afternoon shadows and some still lovely colors that took me by surprise. Naturally, I had to get out my IPhone and snap a photo or two for reference purposes. It occurred to me the two scenes - Meryem on her horse and the beautiful park scene, would meld perfectly.

Before working on this one, I'd never gotten the whole distant atmospheric perspective thing right before, but this time, with the paler trees in the distance, I think I got much closer to it. What's more, I always accepted I could never draw or paint animals or people, but I think I got them pretty well here too! I really love this painting and was so proud to mail it off this morning to this sweet young decent couple who live in a bare-walled apartment in California.

Painting class, I made it!

I missed the class last week and almost missed today but decided better late than never.

I had spied this gorgeous winter photograph scene (sans people) in a magazine and thought it would make a beautiful painting.

What I came up with is much different from the original reference piece, but from what I understand, that is a good thing. I have learned to weaken the horizon's values and make foreground bolder and stronger. I love the little people I have added to this, and, as a former hockey coach, tagged the hockey players in facebook using names of the kids I coached who are now, 10 years later, facebook friends! My sons (also tagged as players) haven't discovered the tagging yet but Pete enjoys the painting and wants it for himself. (He got the Haybales one I painted in December, by the way, so he and Kris are even in "Moesse Originals".

PS: If you notice the brown dog on the ice? He's tussling with a pull toy with an oddly shaped dalmatian. They're supposed to be Smokey and Baxter. I'm getting bolder now!

Today's lesson: You may end up with something completely different than what was planned. That's perfectly fine and the end result may be a pleasant surprise.

Another graphically simple piece

This is from another photo I saw that caught my eye. The simple elegance of the image drew me to it and I think i've captured at least some of it.

Try as I might, I didn't make it to painting class this week so I did this on Sunday. I would love to paint more but it's becoming a sort of guilty pleasure as the dogs need walking, food needs cooking, work needs doing, and house needs cleaning. Argh!

On the plus side, I've been turned on to Dailymile.com which tracks your exercise distance in case anyone's interested...

Today's lesson: Don't be afraid of simple and basic since it can translate into something elegant and beautiful.