works in progress

March madness

Submitted by lorraine on March 30, 2010 - 2:35pm

March madness to me has always meant a strong desire to get away from the old and explore something new. Just part of the idea of spring renewal I guess. I can still remember when I was very young, I would relish wind storms and loved to stand out in them. I think I hoped they would blow me away to somewhere else.

This feeling of wanting to be elsewhere is at the root of returning to painting images from France. It is hard to believe but it is nearly five years since I was there last. No wonder I am getting 'wanderlust' big time! I have done a couple of paintings of the river, La Couze, that runs between Montaigut-le-Blanc and Champeix, where we walked daily. The one above is the one I am currently working on. I always find it interesting to photo the work in progress as it points out areas that need some more refinement. I see some right now.

I was recently reading another art blog, Ancient Artist: developing an art career after 50, which I talked about earlier. Her most recent entry talked about a 'walkabout', and that is what struck the chord. Yes, a walkabout would be great. After months indoors in our northern climate, the urge to get outside is strong. Also, to see new things, find new inspiration, try out new ways of working.

Well, back to do a bit more work on the painting, then take the dog for a walk.

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A work in progress

Submitted by lorraine on January 30, 2010 - 3:10pm

I have been working on a large painting of one of my succulents. I must find out the name of it one of these days. I am planning to use it for our Escape Artist show at the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton this summer. It has been great fun to work on such a large scale (30 x 30 inches), much bigger than anything I've worked on before. I am looking forward to doing some more of these larger paintings.

For the Muttart show, we need larger works as the space is quite large and little ones would just disappear. I am hoping to go to Edmonton in March and will definitely go by the Conservatory and check out the space. I haven't been there is years, so it will be interesting to see what it is like again.

I am going to do a second painting for the show as well, but haven't quite decided what I will do yet. It will be somewhat smaller, and maybe floral. We need to keep to a 'nature' type theme in keeping with the Conservatory.

You can see the work in progress, which I think I am going to call 'Sun Seeker' on my flickr site, under 'Works in Progress'.

I really do enjoy painting succulents. They have such great colour and structure. I will be doing some more soon.

Now that this one is almost done - time to sit in what I call the contemplation stage - I am going to start on some small pieces for Gardenscape that is coming up at the end of March (see Upcoming Events on the side). I also like doing the little 4 x 4 inch pieces too. They are quick and I learn lots from doing them. So now to go and prime a group of little canvases.

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