>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.

>First stab at People and Salvage Piece

>
The lighthouse image to the left is another salvage piece. When first playing with acrylics, I slapped two layers on the canvas, a blue/black at the top, and a green/yellow at the bottom, and with smooth side to side strokes, called it “depth”, the latest, greatest new age / abstract art piece there could ever be. Then, a month later, I added the land, light house tower, light and moon.

The other image, “Apalach” is endearing and precious to me as I’m taking a stab with people in it. PLUS, it is from a photo I took while we were crossing some huge bridge heading to St. George Island. Lovely memory, sweet people. I am learning that just hints are fine. Details aren’t too essential to painting people and if you get hung up on it, it saps energy from the picture.

What do you think?

Today’s lesson: Salvage away! And as for people, don’t be afraid of trying your hand at suggesting them in your paintings.

>Painting for myself

>
After creating so many paintings for other people, my husband and I decided it was high time I did one for us!

We both loved the red/orange tree branch one I had given my son Kris, so I did another like it for us. Except ours is huge (24 x 36) and now hangs in our dining room! It is simpler than the other. I tried using a heavy, thick brown paint (Liquitex Super Heavy Body) for the branches to give it more texture, but honestly, it was awful to work with since I was applying with a brush. I’m sure using palette knives it will do great, but with a brush, forget it! I had to redo parts of it several times over (the sky areas, especially) and decided to outline most leaves with a strong blue, the compliment to orange, to make them pop. I think it’s a pretty decent one. Especially in digital version and when you stand far back from it.

Today’s lesson: If you plan to use Super Heavy Body paint, use a palette knife!

>End the madness… paint!

>
Today, I had a lovely conversation with Mary, my sister-in-law who is a skilled oil painter. I’m honestly shy talking about my painting endeavors with most people but she was so nice and inviting to chat with, and encouraging too.

And she put something I’ve been unable to express in words much better than I could: “I’m a much nicer person to be around when I paint,” she said.

My mom used to swim laps in a pool to “swim the meanness” out of herself, and some people work out, do yoga, or whatever. I know when I can take a “purposeful” walk, it is pleasurable and relaxing.

I find when I am able to go into my studio or to painting classes, I feel this sort of release, a physical sigh, and my whole body relaxes into the moment. I forget about worries that I can’t control, things that might or might not be coming down the pike, and just let go and create. There is something sensual and luxurious about controlling a paintbrush as it glides along the canvas or paper. As I mentioned, I write, and can get lost in typing onto a screen words that flow to the point I forget to eat. It is similar, but the dot dot dot of characters and words appearing on a computer screen do not compare to the pleasure of seeing a line of paint flow across paper or canvas support.

Today’s Lesson: Painting is good therapy.

>The last Christmas Gift paintings

>


I discovered what a great way to make folks feel loved and special AND practice painting all at once: PAINT them gifts!

And dirty little secret time: The middle one “Haybales” was done on recycled canvass I got at the local Goodwill store of a painting someone had started but never completed! It was a totally different style, so I gessoed over it and had a blank white canvas again!

The first one is also a sort of recyled one. It was done as an experiment using rubber cement as masking fluid before I ever bought any and with watered down acrylics, like in watercolor painting style. I hated it and it floated around the studio for a while until I took the brush and full strength paints to it, and really livened it up. It has special meaning to a lovely friend who lost her husband. She loves and collects hearts and we consider him a star in the sky. Get it?

The final painting is for another of my brothers. It’s a simpler style crest which looks identical to the one we had hanging in our house as we were growing up. I think he’s gonna love it!

Exit mobile version