Large Aspen in Process...

30x24" Aspen in process...

I almost didn't post today as I'm working large and it takes a bit longer than the smaller pieces...sometimes...AND, the light is not good for photographing, BUT...what is happening is important to note, so as I am dedicated to talking about process I wanted to note today's process.

If this were a sculpture I would say it is blocked and some of the larger shapes are roughed in...I guess that works for painting as well. I've been playing around with things a lot more than I usually do when I start a piece. I usually know more of what will happen than I have with this one. I'm having FUN! I first painted the main trees and decided I was too bored, so I put some papers in place and have begun to paint the trees on the paper. I enjoy immensely the texture that applying paper affords my aspen trunks...sort of 3-D effect if you will...however slight. Then I began to play with shadow color as I also began to lay in some leaves. The photo has a TON of leaves...I'm deciding as I go just how many I want to show.

I'm liking showing some of the sky color so I may leave that...even my put a tad back...who knows at this stage.

I don't know about the rest of you who paint from home, but I am still hearing the call of my house as I paint and plan the next one in my head...I feel very pulled in several directions some days...and today is one of them. My husband is flying home from a business trip and so I am very aware of the mess I've made while he was gone...oh bother!!

I am also accidentally playing with my computer editing and found some fun buttons to push that make the sunrise pics I took rather interesting to me...You would have had to see the pic when I started to know just how neat this is...(yep, that word dates me!!)...And I also wanted to show you the difference in my world within 5 minutes...You see the sun and the beautiful clouds...and then...the fog...Not kidding...it took about 5 minutes to go from one to the other...WOW, what a place!

From one minute...

To the next...no lie!! (well...about 5 minutes)

Tomorrow is my day with my friend Carol...so you will see...again...a different piece when I return. Gonna learn a bit about fauvist portraits...I HOPE I learn that is!!

Have a great day!!

Playing around in a "serious" (tee hee) way...:)

I have so much yet to do to this...but playing around with a few little cast leaves...hmmm

The detail in the cast is a little contemporary...hmmm...will see how it works when I try to paint them...LOVE TO EXPERIMENT!!

So, today is the last day of warm weather for awhile so it was down the mountain this a.m. for errands and gathering of stuff so when I'm locked inside tomorrow it will be all business!

I never have given up on my paper cast ideas...just keep putting them on hold until something feels right. So, I decided to play with the aspen 4x4 piece and the paper cast idea. I found something that made it a bit easier to make a tiny mold for aspen leaves...I'm not saying I'm committed to this...but I'm playing with the idea...again!

And...It has been SO long I'm sure you all forgot my molds I've made of leaves...and how I painted on them...well...this...maple (I believe) leaf cast was painted over with an awful painting...so I gesso'd over it and have another idea for painting...

So...not only do I have the unfinished pieces I've posted these last couple of days, but this maple leaf...I'm bound and determined!!

Let's see what tomorrow's productivity will do for at least one or two of these unfinished babies...

Thursday I'm so excited to get to go to my friend Carol Nelson's and hopefully soak up som fauvist portrait info!! I've got to go through photos of me or someone so I can practice! FUN DAYS!!

Two beginnings...and not one finish...:)

Today was my day to travel to the little city of Golden to paint with the group who calls themselves the "Painted Toe Society". I'm a substitute for the month of January. Their group has a limited number due to the size of the room they rent at the Foothills Art Gallery in Golden Colorado. Foothills hosts many shows throughout the year...some national...so I understand why they stay. Some member will be out of town, so I get to sub! YEA.

I didn't take my large aspen painting as I didn't know if there would be room, so I took a couple small supports and just began them. The little 4x4 (which will be a contest give-away choice) is just laid in...ready for some more sumpin sumpin...we shall see...

The tall skinny is a 12x4" wrapped canvas that will be another aspen trunk and some other sumpin...:) Most of the time I work from reference photos...but when I begin a piece with trees I allow myself to veer from reality as much as I'm in the mood for at the moment...so that is why I'm never sure just WHAT they will turn out like...I collaged a bit on top...and will finish these in the coming days...then we will all see what they look like finished! ha

Til we meet again..(probably tomorrow)....HAPPY PAINTING!!

Feeling Puny

Yep...all the hustle and bustle of the holidays finally caught up with me. Feeling a little "puny" as my grandmother used to say. Don't think it is anything but good ole tired! So...no painting today...BUT, I got up and the clouds were so colorful this morning...so thought I would share this.

I am excited this month as I get to be a substitute for a wonderful group in Golden called the "Painted Toe Society". A great group of artists who have graciously allowed me to fill in for one of their regular members who will not be there this month. So, Monday's this month will be pure joy! Looking forward to that!!

I also get to go down later this week and sit at the feet of a wonderful artist: Carol Nelson who is running a personal challenge for the next 100 days of painting a portrait a day in the fauvist style. I have long admired Carol's work and was privileged to be able to be a part of a gallery with her a few years ago. If you have not seen Carol's work lately take a hop over to her blog...You won't be disappointed! I am excited for what I may learn from this most prolific and versatile of artists! And proud to also call her friend!!

An Aspen in Process

I thought I'd show you my latest piece in process. I like to talk about process some as I'm always hoping it may help someone who is struggling with a thing...This is my latest piece. Doesn't have a name yet...but you can guess it will be something about aspen. HE!

I am attracted to the very dark purple browns in the background of some of these pictures I have. I think the contrast with the trunks will be great! This canvas is 30x24. I haven't finished laying in all the trees I may put in...but I'm still thinking about that. On some of my aspen I don't even have a reference photo except a loose one in my head...but this one has one. It was obviously taken in September or early October as the leaves are all a golden color with the sun bouncing off of them here and there.

To begin a larger piece it takes a bit more...duh...cuz it is bigger...(ha) So, for a good little while I put in sky color first. Why...might you ask, since it is all most likely be covered over? But...it isn't all totally covered over and in case there was a slight bit showing here and there I wanted it to be sky. Call me overcautious...ha! I like to blend a bit of sky color with the purply/brown/blue mixture to give some areas of lighter. I will also be laying in a bit of leaf here and there in the background. WOW...did I sound crabby there? Sorry...just excited!

BY THE WAY...(I didn't forget)...January 11 will be the one year anniversary of this blog. I wanted to celebrate by having another give-away for my followers. SO...on that day I will draw from my followers and you will be able to choose from the contest choices on my sidebar. I also think I may do another one or so to add to the choices before then...NOW...HAPPY PAINTING TO YOU ALL!!