Hot off the Palette

Starting a new painting is always hard for me. Why?  I usually use an image as my main source and I have thousands of photo images to choose from. This scene was taken from a photo that was taken on a gloomy grey day, but I LOVED the curve of the beach.

Still deciding on an appropriate title for it ... so for now ... it goes untitled.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Tide's Out

If you recall, I had taken a workshop with Brian Simons in Victoria, this past Jan. I was struggling with one particular painting - a wavey beach. Brian had told me to go home, and not to touch the piece again until it "Screamed" at me. (refer to blog of Jan. 30th.).

Home I went, wondering why I put myself through the torture of trying to learn new techniques. The painting stood against my wall for several weeks, before I heard a slight peep "Try painting me again!"

So I timidly dusted if off, placed it on the easel, and the words of "David Wick" (another famous artist whom I've recently met) came into my mind - "Let the spirit move you."

I put on some funky rock 'n' roll music, big brush in hand and began to play - putting paint on canvas. The paint was flying, the brush strokes were painterly. The painting was taking on a life of it's own.

Jeff came into the studio "Five minutes till supper". "I can't stop now" I said, "I'm in the groove and I have wet paint". Several brush strokes later, I stood back and declared the painting finished.

The painting has now been transformed from a wavey beach, to a

"Tide's Out", 24 x 30", acrylic

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Workshops

I have always enjoyed organizing and attending artists workshops. I go into them with an open mind and a positive attitude about learning what the instructor has to teach ... after all that is what I paid the money for. Even if I only learn one thing in each workshop, I feel that I am a better painter for it.

Last weekend I attended a workshop by Brian Simons in Victoria BC. I had been looking for an acrylic workshop when I came across his website and really liked the look of his artwork. I thought, perhaps I can learn from this man.

Brian teaches you to underpaint using a burnt sienna, spending time working on your values - darks and lights. Once you are happy with that, then the colour is ready to be added and like magic your painting comes to life. I started this one upside down, as I wanted to get my head out of the process (the canvas was upside down - not me). Instead of thinking about clouds and beach, I was thinking about shapes and light and dark spaces.

After two days of struggling with this new technique - here is the end result.

Brian thinks this piece is close to being finished and to not work it anymore - until it SCREAMS at me.
So far it hasn't even whispered .... so perhaps I'll leave it be.

p.s. Update on Sheldon:

Sheldon has arrived in Sask. feathers unruffled
They think perhaps Johnathan is a tinsy bit jealous as Sheldon is a little more 'polished' and perhaps more of a ladies man.

They think it's best for the time being to be on separate walls to let them 'get to know' each other.

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan