Problems...and one of those days!

Did you ever haave one of those days... you know the ones, where you wonder what the heck you are doing?  Well, on this latest painting, it was like my brain had taken a leave of absence and forgot to let me know about it!
I've painted water a dozen times.  Never had a problem, but yesterday...Water?  How do you do that?  Actually the problem with the water I'm doing now is more the fact that it is very dark, and has low light on it so no sparkles to help make it go into the distance.  This time I have to use colour temperature to do the job.  Not as easy as you would think with green water!  I ended up throwing colours into it that were not there, but which seemed to do the trick.  Added warmer colours to the foreground  (raw sienna and olive green) and cooler ones to the back ground (ultramarine blue and raw umber). Just for extra kicks I also threw in some pthalo green, paynes grey and some alarzian crimson.  Those helped to make the dark streaks I needed to suggest the slight ripples that the birds were making in the water.  Need to walk away and work on another painting before I will say that it was a total success.  So far though, the verdict is holding. If you hear a scream, you will know it did not work...but I think you are safe!
Until later,
Cindy

Using time to learn about yourself

To the left is my latest accomplishment, and it is a prime example of using time to learn about oneself.  I am working on another painting that I am doing in oil, not my usual mode of operation.  Usually it is one painting at a time, but I was on a roll and did not want to waste time waiting for paint to dry.  So this little guy was a time filler.  It was also an expeeriment in : "How Small can you go?"  and still get detail you like.  Really a personal challenge to myself.  I found I could go small, but need larger to give my hand a break.  It was fun doing it, used time to good purpose, and made me realise that yes, I am anal retentive and am proud of it.  It showed me I was far happier doing my detail that I like to do, than try to be "looser" as the art elite like to direct us.  So I learned a lesson about myself, and will go forward with it.  As to the little guy...It is a 7 x 5 inch picture of fall hawthorn berries.  Cedar Waxwings love them, as do other birds.  Great Wildlife draw.  Oh yes!  I also used to time to scope out other art shows and competitions I might like to look into!  Multitasking....gotta love it!
Till next time.
Cindy

Back, refreshed and Inspired!

Maui is definitley a place to recharge your batteries!  So many things to see and do, that are totally relaxing.  We went whale watching (for the third time! and actually saw them this time!!!!)  We went with the Pacific Whale Foundation's expedition as the funds go towards whale research and the naturalist on board gave us lots of really cool information.  For example... did you know whale milk was the consistancy of toothpaste?  When you think about it it actually make sence!  I wondered how the babies would get the milk while underwater.  We were lucky and actually saw a baby that road his mother's nose and back when he was tired.  It was so cute.  There were two males having a show off session for a female as well, and they made for a spectacular sighting.  We saw them off shore from our hotel too....still at it.  Boys will be boys no matter their stripes!
There was lots of painting inspiration as well, and I can't wait to get to it.  Unfortunately, the real world intrudes and year end has to be done, the tax man has to have his share you know.  Still, I have my Maui memories to fall back on!
Till next time.
Cindy

Recharging batteries is always good!

   You know, I wasn't sure that I wanted to take off on a trip...I was in the painting groove and have a busy schedule that was all coming to a head; but despite all of that...I'm glad I went.
   I can't say that going to a desert was really high up on my "to do list", but I did find it interesting.  I can honestly say I was surprised by what I saw.
   I did see lots of cacti, (and that in and of itself was interesting for the variety there was in the wild!)  I did see lots of dirt and lots of plants that were cool looking but not green and lush...that I expected.  What amazed me was the lack of clarity in the air!  My area is pretty dry, only 17 inches annually on a good year.  But the air here is crystal clear for the most part, the mountains are more so; but still, here the air is pretty clear for a long way.  What I found in Arizona was sharply reduced distance visability!  While in Phoenix, I assumed it was pollution, but outside of the cities and by the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Sedona, they were not likely to have that  problem, but still the clarity was much reduced to what I expected.
Being of a curious mind, I had to try and figure it out.  No one seemed to notice it much there, so I'm assuming it is sort of like the Fall here.  Here when harvest is going hard core, lots of dust from the combines is in the air.  This of course is the one time of the year where it is not so clear.  My guess is that being a desert and having breezes and winds, the fine dust of the desert is stirred up into the air and voila!  Reduced clarity!  It did make for cool sites and inspired all sorts of ideas for future paintings, especially at sunset. (Cliche or what?)
   The Grand Canyon was the highlite of my trip.  I've seen it from 30,000 feet in the air, seen shows on it, paintings of it, photos of it, and none of them brings home the massive size and dramtic splendor of it!  We hired a helicoptor ride over it (so glad we did that!)  First time in one, and what an initiation to the ride and the sights!  We were there at a perfect time of day, about 2 hours before dark; so the shadows and lighting were spectacular.  I had to think though, that when the early settlers came across to go west; after facing a desert and to be confronted by the canyon; it must have been a "throwing your hands in the air in frustration moment!"  Talk about having to make a serious detour!  277 miles worth!
   Anyway, a short trip (7 days fly by) but it did recharge my batteries and provided lots of cool ideas for future paintings and just tons of memories of seeing new things with friends and family.

http://northwestnaturalmoments.blogspot.com/

http://northwestnaturalmoments.blogspot.com/

Shared via AddThis

Getting your head into the next project

   I've heard of artists working on more than one piece at a time.  I envy them!  It would definitely prevent overload on a particular project, especially if you are having troubles.
   Unfortunately, I am not one of those artists.  I guess I'm a little too anal for that.  So for me it is one piece at a time.  My problem is getting my head out of the last one, to start the next one.
   I find that I need to put the finished one out of site; otherwise I am constantly checking it out looking for goofs to fix.  It is definitely a case of "out of sight is out of mind"
   At any rate, I have started my next one.  Two cute little kit fox.  Their expression was priceless and they were so cute, it demanded a picture.  These guys were in a den in the ditch, about 5 of them in total.  They were really friendly (much to their mom's dismay I imagine)  They made for easy "photo ops".  Got lots of shots.  Good thing as their Mom moved them about 2 weeks later.
    I'm hoping I can capture thier facial expressions, which really makes the picture I have in my head.
Till next time.
Cindy

Carving out time can be done!

   Life can definitely be busy, especially if you are married, have kids, a job, a husband who works from home, and you still try and paint.  My personal opinion is that it is even tougher for female artists to carve out time to do what they love, because socially and practically it is usually her that everyone turns to for this that and the other.  There are some situations where that may not be the case, but in general, females are conditioned to be the go to person in the home.
  In my particular instance,  we are large grain farmers and my share of that is bookkeeping, payroll, and chief cook and bottle washer for a harvest crew of about 25 people.  We provide 2 full hot meals a day for this lot.  "Safeway" loves me at this time of year.  At the end of the day, I find as I get older, I get more tired, than when I was younger.  But even so I manage to carve out time for my painting.  After I wind down from the cooking, at about 9 pm I will start painting.  I have daylight bulbs in my studio.  Some days it is a real push to go paint, but the neat thing about it is that once I start, I forget I'm tired.  This is "me" time, and I'm doing something I love to do.  Not to mention, by this time the phone has stopped, the 2 way radio demands stop, and no one is in the house!  Heaven!  As a result I managed to finish my "Bridal pair" painting and have started another.  So take it from me, if you really want to, it is possible to carve out painting time.  Just view it as "me" time, and enjoy the benifits, of stress falling away as you do what you love!

Till next time
Cindy