Faint Touch of Autumn

 

12"x 9"

 

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

 

It's October and I've just now started to really notice some strong autumn color in my neck of the woods.  The weather this weekend was spectacular and perfect for plein air painting which led me to venture out yesterday for this small piece. 

 

Trying to achieve fall color in the trees and yet maintain a strong value pattern in the masses can be difficult since oranges and yellows are higher in value, but tree masses are darker.  Any tips on that are certainly welcome!  I guess the answer is to key everything up??  Oh, well...each painting is a learning experience and it's so much fun learning!

 

 

 

 

Great Workshop with Qiang Huang!

My painting from the second day of the workshop; 16x12

I just had to write and let everyone know what a wonderful workshop Qiang Huang gave us in Montgomery last weekend.  This very talented artist from Austin, Texas is also a very kind gentlemen and a giving teacher. 

 

I highly recommend his workshops!  He lays everything out thoughtfully and carefully; has great presentations; wonderful demonstrations; and an art business presentation as well.  He was generous with information and we all were just so thrilled to have him here.  It was a pleasure to get to know him and see him paint!

 

Although I am mainly a landscape painter, this foray into still life was so much fun.  I will be doing many more after this workshop!

Peace of Quiet *SOLD*

"Peace of Quiet"   20"x16"  *Sold*

 

 

I have always been enthralled by the sky.  It's like a "stop and smell the roses" experience for me.  Life gets so busy and crazy.  With our noses to the grindstone and our eyes on the road and so many distractions in this life, it's easy to forget to look up and see the beauty all around us.  I imagine God made sunrises and sunsets so beautiful, so that we could have a glorious beginning and ending to our day....a time to stop and and reflect on the beauty of this earth.

 

The past few days have started out great...crisp fall air, beautiful sunshine, hope and promise...and then, well, things happen and the day starts to unravel and let's just say it's not like I thought it would be.  I've propped this one on the mantel and I'm hoping it will help put me in a better frame of mind.  When I paint the skies, one of my hopes is that it will take the viewer to a peaceful and thoughtful place.  This artist is the viewer in need of a lift today!  Peace to you, too!