NOT EVERY PAINTING IS A WINNER!...AND, THAT'S OK!!

Well, as promised...the "failed" painting and some discussion.  This up top is obviously a detail of the whole thing.  I'm including a before and after pic of the painting in it's evolution...and some explanation.  As you will see I modified the tree portion of the painting...hoping to bring a little more abstractive (is that even a WORD?) quality to something that, quite frankly, BORED me to death...the first version seen in the left hand side of the side by side pics was just OK...it was fair...but notice...several things bothered me that I had HOPED to help when I reworked the whole...#1...TOO MANY FOCAL AREAS COMPETING!...the mountains were strong...the trees covered a large area...and the orange contrasting with the purple in the mountains...yuck.they fought each other..and then ground...too much going on with what was going on up top... #2...not ENOUGH contrast to bring strength to anything but the mountains...but, come on...the trees were really SUPPOSED to be the focal...(this is due to a lack of true planning in the first place...so, I urge you to take the time if you are "creating" a scene or an abstract, or you too may run in to this problem...

#3...let's face it...squint...similar values...kinda the same as lack of contrast, but I'm so bugged that I let this happen I'm saying it in a different way....In the second version there is a SMIDGE more value change...but it is like a failed romance...too little, too late...sigh...
#4...really...just a too typical, predictable composition...NO TRUE EXCITEMENT...look at the negative spaces (if you can find them)...boring shapes...I TRIED to bring a little more interest in changing the tree line...but...no go...

I was inspired when I was at my grandson Paxton's dr visit one day by the artwork on the walls...I saw lots of circles and ovals and colors and, and, and...It was exciting...so that is where the inspiration for the oval shapes of tree tops came from...I even made a stamp, planning to bring some contrast and interest...as seen here...It was a good idea...and I will probably use it again somewhere...Here's why it didn't work in this piece...
There seem to be two opposing styles competing for attention within the one piece...so...the "lolypop" type tree tops with the stamp was FUN...but the mountains are a bit realistic and traditionalistic (another made up word)...and they just don't work together...

In short...opposing styles...similar values making it boring...bad composition...yuck...NOW, AM I depressed because I produced such a sorry piece of work...NOT AT ALL...just look at what I was reminded of...what I learned...the EXPERIENCE...very, very valuable...And, to share...makes it that much better...In fact, I'm sure you out there can critique it even more...I mean, there are a LOT of issues with this poor little guy! HA...I don't mind...in fact, it would help us ALL...we can learn from Saundra's little "failure" and go on happier and smarter!! YIPPEE!! So give me your criticisms...it is a good thing!! Now, on to a better painting!! 

Happy Creating!!

JONATHAN'S SUNSET

I'm constantly amazed at our technological abilities in this world.  I'm sitting here in the mountains of Colorado and I get a text from my most wonderful son who is sitting on his beach...Ocean Beach California and he shares his sunset with me.  I got goose bumps...I STILL have them!  On so many levels I am in awe of my son.  He has stamina to keep on keeping on in a world that is often so tough...he has the soul of a poet, he is amazingly talented on the skateboard...(remember his 3rd place in the WORLD for freestyle skating in Philly last year)...and he is a gentleman extraordinaire...his creative soul is alive and well, and he takes the time to share it with his old mom!  I am proud of my son that no matter what trials he faces he gets up and keeps on going...WAY TO GO JONATHAN!  I am most impressed with a person that doesn't give up...that doesn't loose his desire to improve...who never stops trying...that is my son.  Remember...it is a lesson to us all...NEVER GIVE UP!!  To share a beautiful thing with people...to desire to make them smile...that is what we are all about as artists isn't it?...well, here is a beauty to behold from the heart and soul of my most artistic and wonderful son!  Thank you Jonathan!  You have most certainly passed on some smiles with this view of your world!  God Bless!!

Tomorrow I am going to share a "failure".  It is a painting I've reworked twice now and have decided that it is enough...I'm not afraid to admit "defeat" on some paintings...IF we can learn from those things that don't "work" then it isn't truly a "failure"...just a process that helps us to grow...so, for teaching purposes...I will share...stay tuned...But for tonight...let's enjoy a most perfect sunset that God gave us through my son...which is most certainly NOT a failure! YEA!

HAPPY CREATING!!

"A MOMENT IN THE SUN" ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA SUNFLOWER PAINTING © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"A Moment in the Sun"

6" x 6"

mixed media on gallery wrap canvas with texture

FINALLY I had an afternoon to paint! WHEW...I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen!  This is a commission for a friend...and I'm happy to say it's finished (well, until I look at it tomorrow to make sure!)  

This piece had a color scheme in mind...thus the large center which will satisfy that I believe...So nice to do a sunflower at the end of the summer!

I've been back photographing my acorn...it's brown now...the ONLY one the squirrels didn't get at...and that is saying a LOT as we have tons of scrub oak around my house...that's one FAT squirrel!  But, had to share!

And, it is official...we finally put a bid on a house...so, the waiting game begins as we wait for the counter offer...it is definitely a diamond in the rough, but we look at it is a creative challenge...SO, along with my studio time will be time spent looking at flooring, appliances, drapery etc...FUN DOINS at the Galloway house!!

I think I've taken so many photos of the acorn I may have to paint it...but, the joyful thing is I can wake up and decide to paint anything I want! WOO HOO!!

HAPPY CREATING!

KNEE DEEP...

No, this is NOT a painting of mine...it is just an illustration to explain WHY I am miserably behind in my painting!  We are KNEE DEEP in house stuff.  Ever since I returned from baby I have been working the full time job of finding a house and all that goes with it.  Many miles back and forth between lenders and the house we THINK we found to bid on...and today is another one.  BUT, the good news is we think we found THE ONE...and it needs buckets of work...but the neighborhood is JUST what we wanted, so on we trudge through the tons of paperwork, the tests we have to take for the loan we want (I passed mine with flying colors...but don't ask me to answer the questions again, cuz I'd be in trouble...ha) and the measuring and meetings and, and, and...they want your SOUL in way of info...so, on I go...HOPEFULLY to be back at my easel post haste!! I'm hoping the rest of you out there are KNEE DEEP in CREATING!!

HAPPY DAY!

FINDING BALANCE...and a new BEGINNING

I'm noticing since I returned from spending time with my new, adorable grandson that I'm having a bit of difficulty finding balance between searching for a new home and my art.  I've spent a HUGE amount of time on line and out "in the field" as my husband puts it...searching for a home that will not dissapoint after living on 5 acres in the mountains, but will serve us both...WHEW...a huge task...HOWEVER, I am working hard to get back to my easel with new work...BUT, I did take time out to go to see the Mountainside Miniatures show at the FOOTHILLS ART CENTER in GOLDEN, CO.  I won the CHAIRPERSON AWARD for my ACORN DUO and was tickled.  I was tickled to even get in this national show in the first place.  The competition was stiff and I felt lucky to even get two of the three I entered in!

I have, however begun a commission piece of a sunflower that was a specific color request...the background is a neutral with a bit of sky thrown in...and I'm playing around with different pics of sunflowers I've taken...haven't decided yet which I will use. Here is another brave soul that decided to bloom on our mountain...so delicate!

And, I'm happy to report that I got at least one more acorn pic from our scrub oak in front of the house that the birds DIDN'T find!...always sharing!! :)

He's SO cute...I can feel another acorn piece in my future!!  So, here's hoping that I find that awesome balance between house hunting and creating!  I hope you all are finding balance in your lives as well...here's to it!!

HAPPY CREATING!