PipFalls (Paintings -In -Progress Problems)

Two on-site paintings in the works. 

The larger canvas is in a setting that seems to have windy conditions even when there's no wind 10 feet away. Therefore, a little bit of actual landscape is embedded in the oil paint on the canvas from constant landfall. (Not to mention shards of grass shot from a nearby weed eater.) 

The second canvas is set in the scenic cubby of a blind curve, so while it's somewhat protected from the natural wind, an occasional blast from an oncoming farm vehicle sends it flying. But no complaints... busy painting the ever-changing spring face of the earth.

Grabbing the ring

Spring passes so quickly - it demands multipainting.

As of today, I have 4 canvases started and continue with drawing to collect as much detail as I can for finishing the paintings, should the subject matter go by too fast for completion of the works. Below is a preliminary drawing for a painting I intend to start today.
The dark clouds and weathered wall contrast with the delicate wind-beaten daffodils. That was the original impetus for the painting, but something else may speak louder today.

and the beginning of a 24 x 30 painting of the turn in a road with a rock outcropping:

Misty, dewy morning photos

Deciding what will go on the big canvas I bought

So many compelling things to paint! 

Today's studio was beside an old stump next to a big rock. The rock is covered with moss and lichen in all hues of blue and green, and the stump is disintegrating and hollow with purple and yellow tiny wildflowers growing around and through it. Looks promising, but in the other direction, the rock jutting out over the bend in the road is equally tempting

Ink and wash drawing of a stump & rock:

My studio:

other view, rock and road, charcoal

Snake, Spider, Fox, Bunny, and Eagle

Two days full of wildlife. The snake and (gigantic) spider were in my studio, and the rest of the critters were outside where they belong.

Below are pics of my most recent (finished today, unless I obsess with the sky some more tomorrow) painting of the farm school bus stop; a photo of the snake; a photo of the eagle; and, a photo of a willow tree from the car. The tree is just showing the baby green of spring:

First Daffodils of Spring!

I wish there were colors to relay the intoxicating, heady scent. 

Here is the first of hopefully several spring 2012 paintings:

Answering the Calls

Prepared and sent, by mail and electronically, two applications in response to "Call for Entry" postings. These applications require a good chunk of time for those of us who are not organized and business-oriented - eg. a half hour devoted to finding a postage stamp, and then looking up postal rates to see whether the amount is still sufficient; another half hour looking for the ink that invariably runs out when you need it most, etc (not to mention the missing eyeglasses and the car keys, and did I even feed the dogs today?)

Are these juried exhibits worth the effort, and the time they take away from the making of art, and the cost? Are they legitimate? Will a qualified juror actually see the submission? I don't know. I'm taking the chance this time, and hopefully will have positive results to post at a later point. Meanwhile, back to my daffodils and spring light... "art is long, life is short."

Where does the time go?

I spent part of the morning photographing work to apply for a juried exhibit, weighing paintings, measuring - now about to print the photos and make a cd to send. It costs time and money to apply. Plus the cost of postage, printing supplies, gas to get to the Post Office, time spent packaging and driving to the Post Office. Then there's the chance the work will not be accepted for the exhibit. So, please, anyone reading this, wish me luck.

I reworked the large Marsh Scene in oil on canvas (40" x 50"), finished a painting I started two years ago, "Spring" of girls picking daffodils in oil on canvas (24" X 30"), and will include a recent landscape with fence shadows in acrylic on canvas (16" x 20").

Now to finish the application process so I can get back to painting!