647 Oregon Morning

Oregon Morning

oil on canvas

9x12"

$270

     

 The morning light hit the low hills across the meadow, making them glow. Only a few minutes later they were a different color, and that went on all morning. One might think I exaggerated the bright color in the painting, but I did not. Such a fine way to enjoy your morning coffee.

646 Hwy 20 Hill

Hwy 20 Hill

oil on canvas

12x12"

$360

     I am studying landscapes. Not strong in this department.

     It is fun though to go on field trips, taking a picnic lunch and the dog, to gather material.

     This scene told me I did not know how to paint clouds. I enjoyed researching that and found that there are many, many, many ways.

     This view along Hwy 20, near Bridgeport, is a typical California scene at this time of year.

 

645 Mendocino Cliff

Mendocino Cliff

oil on canvas

12x12"

$360

     I am enjoying learning about Tonalism, so I am trying my hand at it. I hope to do more because I find it very interesting and moody. I am also trying the new thing for me which is landscape on square canvas. I like this one. I think it is cute. (Can something be both cute and moody?)

     

 

Mendocino Cypress

Mendocino Cypress

Oil on Canvas

12x16"

$384

      Here is a landscape although it is a scene by the ocean. That little strip of blue sea cannot qualify it as a seascape, can it?

      Landscapes, seascapes, they are a favorite. I live in a beautiful place. I wish I could paint it better. My landscapes often fail. (I mean really often.) It is funny that I have not given up on them.

The Phone Challenge

Delta

The Phone Challenge

8x8"

$128

DPW $85

     Here is another Challenge I was glad to see. My landscapes are my nemesis and I need to practice them more.

     This is from a photo taken on the run with a cell phone and given to us to paint anyway we want. This week's Challenger reminds us that a good photo does not always mean a good painting and vice versa. A good reminder, but how well I know that to be true. So many photos of landscapes with so few paintings to show for it.

     This is the first landscape I have done this year that I like and that I did not have to wash down several times before I arrived at a finished product. Thank you, Elaine.

Forest Interior 4

Forest Interior 4

5x7"

Oil

$70

DPW Auction $50

     I think these forest scenes are coming down to a color issue. I am very glad I have embarked on this project because it will force me to address some matters that could otherwise be masked by subject matter. Paint a cute cat and I might overlook that it is a mediocre painting if the cat is cute enough.

     I have color theory education. I am just having a stumbling block in making my body believe and paint what I know. I think this is so important that I am willing to paint some bad paintings in order to learn it.

Forest Interior 3

Forest Interior 3

5x7"

Oil

$70

DPW Auction $50

     I am being diligent in my landscape work. I really believe in it because so much must be dealt with in each little 5x7: color theory, composition, line, shape, and even deeper meaning. If I use color to create the emotion and value to create the drama, in a way, I have a metaphor. With my beautiful forest all around me, I should never be hungry for material. (Those two little daffodils at the forest edge are for real.)

     That being said, tomorrow I am painting my sister's cat.

     

Forest Interior 2

Forest Interior 2

5x7"

Oil

$70

DPW Auction $50.

     I have so much to learn. Landscapes, hm. This got away from me. I was trying to limit the colors and still ended up outside my color scheme. Here is what I wanted: cool, blue-green key color, red-orange secondary color with accents of yellow and violet. It is cool, but the secondary and accent colors are a little confused. And how did cerulean blue get in there?! Incorrigible.

Oak Tree

Oak Tree

6x8"

Oil

$96

(DPW Auction $65. Click to bid.)

     I live in a beautiful place, forest all around, and yet I find it difficult to find the painting in my lovely surroundings. "Can't see the forest for the trees."

     This scene is right outside my studio window and I love looking at it every day just as I do many other favorite scenes 360 degrees. (Lucky me.) I have struggled with landscapes for a long, long time, but I am stubborn. I know that if I can get the hang of it, I will have a mountain of fun. (Yes, I know, a pun.) The treasures are right in front of me. I am trying to open my eyes.