Monday, 16 January 2012

Week 9 - Flowers

Now that we are actually immersed in a sort-of winter, I need something brighter than the grey days in my world.
I dedicated this week to flowers. I did not want to render the typical still life so I tried to evoke more of a suggestion of them instead. I am trying to just give an impression of the flower. It is a challenge for me to stop and not make them too detailed.

Alert - brilliant titles ahead



Jan 8, 2012
 Tulips



Jan 7, 2012
Hydrangeas


Jan 4, 2012
Clematis


Jan 2, 2012
Irises

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Week 8 - Titles?

Coming up with titles for paintings can be a real chore sometimes. It is easier to not duplicate names so everything is kept straight but it is becoming increasingly difficult to come up with a new title for “Field” for these daily paintings.
I have always found that anything other than landscapes were easy to name.
I did a series based on gameboards that were pretty obvious – Chess 1, Chess 2 etc. Nothing outstanding.
I have also done a lot of titling based on cheesy clichés ie: Just Between You Me And The Fence Post and Running in Circles. These I actually liked the best and had a lot of fun with them. In doing so, I hoped to reassure the viewer that I was not taking myself too seriously. For me, if I can remember what I titled a painting, I feel it is the right one – if not – it needs a new name.
But for these daily works, I am off to paint a new one – maybe “Field with Blue sky and green grass”? Or maybe “Untitled 47” would be just as inspiring.


Dec 31, 2011
Trees Along the Highway
These sad little trees flank the QEW, not sure if they will make it to spring.


Dec 30, 2011
Next Years Christmas Trees



Dec 27, 2012
Snow
One of the few days we have actually had winter weather this season.



Dec 26, 2011
Ready for Snow
All of the city snow fencing is up along the lake but for no reason so far.

Monday, 2 January 2012

Week 7 - Holiday Break


Seriously, this work was from was Christmas week and I should have just taken it off. I only did 3 pieces and frankly, none of them are terribly inspiring. Grey, yucky dull winter. 
It’s only early in the season and even though we haven’t had much snow, I NEED SUNSHINE to get some inspiration going.


Dec 23, 2011
Snow's A Comin'
A tree top view from my studio - watching the dark grey clouds come in.


Dec 22, 2011
Lone Tree


Dec 20, 2011
2 white pines trying to survive the city and it is not looking so good.

Monday, 26 December 2011

Week 6 - Inspiration

The original plan was to try and capture an image I passed on my way home from work each day but since the time change, I leave for my day in the dark and get home in the dark. I am having to either make scenes up or use reference material.

Do I have to paint an actual scene? I don’t think so. I am trying to work on the way I paint so that is more important than replicating an actual view. That is my justification for having absolutely no ideas some days. But I do need some kind of a plan or I accomplish nothing.

Instead of painting “when the moment strikes”, I am forcing myself to paint anyway. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t, but I can’t say that the result is any better or worse whether I felt like painting or not. 



First Snow
Dec 18, 2011
The snow lasted about an hour after sunrise before it all melted away.




Shed Out Back
Dec 17, 2011
This looks absolutely nothing like I intended.



Farmers Field
Dec 16, 2011



Lots of Green
Dec 14, 2011
This is one of those aimless pieces - I have no idea what I thought I was going to paint.



Barn in a Field
Dec 12, 2011





Monday, 19 December 2011

Week 5 - Thick and Thin

My mixed media series of a few years ago were painted on plywood. There were many layers of images but the layers of paint were fairly thin.  I also used a lot washes, dripping and water.
I am finding with the masonite board, the more opaque paints are better. I don’t mind the board showing through but some of the paint that I have with high transparency are driving me crazy. They are just way too weak and I am having to mix more paint to get the density I want. I need to pay more attention to this the next time I replenish my supplies.
I know I should switch to oil to get the look I am after, but I refuse at this juncture to get a whole new set of supplies. I have too many already. I aim to master the acrylics in such a way that I no longer feel the need to switch.


Dec 11, 2011
Cowpath


Dec 9, 2011
The End of the Beach Trail


Dec 8, 2011
Field
(a brilliant title)


Dec 6, 2011
Dusk


Dec 5, 2011
2 Weird Trees
I pass a few of these trees everyday, I never noticed them when they had leaves but they are really neat looking with none. I have not shaped them properly as they are here and need to try again sometime.

Monday, 12 December 2011

Week 4 - Studio or en Plein-air

The debate over studio work versus en plein-air will never be solved. Some swear that only paintings done in-situ have the energy the work needs.
I am 50-50 on the studio/plein-air debate.  I do love to sketch outside and take in the images around me.  I paint with acrylics and even though there are extenders and wet pallets, I find the paint just dries way to quickly outdoors for my liking.
I don’t even think about it in the winter. I will gladly go a for hike and take lots of pictures but the thought of sitting outside in 0 degrees is just more than I want to do.
On the other hand after being inside in my studio all winter, I can’t wait to get back outside and paint nature on the spot. For now, I will remain a fair weather plein-air painter and stay in my studio until spring.



Dec 4, 2011


Dec 3, 2011
Field of Green - wishful thinking now that everything is yucky colours


Dec 2, 2011
Entwined


Dec 1, 2011
Tree Farm


Nov 29, 2011
Rattlesnake Point
A very rainy, rainy November day


Nov 27, 2011
East Over Lake Ontario


Monday, 5 December 2011

Week 3 - Memory – not so good


I really discovered this week how poor my visual memory is. I decided I would try to find a scene that appealed to me as I drove home from work each day. I have been traveling the same route for about 10 years so you would think I would have paid more attention. I figure I have about 3 seconds to glance at a scene as I drive by to try and retain it.
When I do get into my studio and start to paint, I realize I have no more than a vague outline of the image in my mind. I really have to go back to basics - shape, pattern, negative space before I can possibly work on detail retention. I may have to look at the same scene a few days in a row to remember enough to put it on paper.
The work is just an interpretation anyway, right? (I will convince myself.)


Nov. 26, 2011
Fall Sumac
The sumacs are mostly all bare but there was one I saw that still had a few leaves left.



Nov 25, 2011
Fall Grass
There are lots of grasses along the Beach trail with great fall and winter colour, ochres, burnt siennas.


Nov 22, 2011
Grey November Day


Nov 20, 2011
Perfect November Day
Again, the last of the fall colour hanging on.