Starting Out

Inspired by the articles about lessons on Faye Phillips website (check it out: http://faye-christian-phillips.blogspot.com/), I thought I would share part of my starting out process. I graph my photo and canvas and then transfer my image. I work on composition and at trying to simplify shapes. I will paint this with bright flat colors to achieve a graphic, contemporary look.

So many people in this area paint beautiful, realistic wildlife and landscapes. This is my way of processing what I am seeing and making it my own.

How difficult it is to be simple." (Vincent van Gogh)

Almost Two

I remember my brother wearing a white sports coat to his prom. He showed us how to do "the twist" the next day.

Captured

I have fought and fought with this painting and it still defies me. It is based on a photo of my mom and her sister and their husbands. I liked the idea that you weren't sure who was captured, the men or the women. Acquiring a husband was considered such a prize then. But their faces looked as if they couldn't decide to be proud or worried about their futures. I think they were really just squinting from the sun.

I also learned it's not a good idea to quit a painting because you lose the passion to finish and you sort of lose what it was that fired you up in the first place. However, I am finding that letting a painting "rest" for a while and then coming back to it, sometimes teaches you to find your mistakes. At least I'm painting even if they aren't turning out.

More Deer

Yay! Absolutely beautiful weather for a long weekend.

Deer in Landscape

An experiment in collage. I seem to be doing a deer series.

I have a new camera and SUNSHINE! Color me happy!

Promise of Spring

A quick and dirty paint sketch of the poplars out back. As soon as the weather improves (and my temperment) I am going to do some plein aire painting. I am in awe of the brilliant yellow-green of the early leaves. This one will probably get painted over but its a start.

Trying to Paint

One of those days, everything that could go wrong goes sideways. I'm so frustrated I could bite the heads off of chickens. I made this painting yesterday, hated it, wiped a bunch of paint off and now I kind of like it. I may go back in a tinker a little, give it a couple coats of gloss finish and just live with it. I think I have artist's block.

I hate the weather (glum) too.

If anyone is interested, nearly all paintings are for sale.

Smiley Face

This is based on pictures of the Aqiskinuk horse band. I didn't notice the moon-eyed paint had a motif until I reviewed my photos. This photo could be better.

Columbia Valley Springtime

I should be painting, but it's so beautiful outside and I keep running into my "neighbors". Plus, I am gathering photo references for later painting. Yeah, that's it!

I have been driving up and parking my car amidst the sheep herd. I roll down the windows and stay quiet and they let me hang out with them. Listening to them munch is very soothing.

OK, I am going to plant a row of potatoes and onions and then I am going to PAINT!!

Close Encounter

I always walk the dog every morning along an abandoned airstrip just behind our house. We had just turned around to walk home when a cougar calmly walked out of the Headwaters pathways and crossed our path. He checked us out briefly, then loped off into the brush. I was packing my bear spray but not my cell phone. Thankfully, my dog neither saw or smelled it. I made a lot of noise walking home, held my nordic poles up over my head and carried my spray at the ready. The adrenaline is still pumping!

Crazy Ravens Hat

We had the "Wings Over the Rockies" reception last night. So I wore a Crazy Ravens studio hat!