Another Transformation

So!  I did this painting during the summer.  It was a copy of one I saw in a Sacramento magazine highlighting the Powell Estate, Powell being a builder back in the 60's.  I had this hanging in our bedroom for a time and I liked it, but now I don't.  First, it's a copy and second, it doesn't do anything for my bedroom decor.

So here is the transformation so far:

It is becoming a large landscape in acrylics.  I have covered the abstract painting with a mixture of pigment and gesso to make it a kind of off white again.  Though a lot of the darker colors come through, it's enough of a base color for me to draw a new beginning.  The foreground is the closest part of the vineyard, mid-through are hills with other fields of growing grapes, once we get to the upper third of the work we are into hills of grasses, bushes and trees and on to the higher mountains just below the sky.  I haven't painted the sky or the far away mountains yet.  I have placed in my darkest darks and outlined the composition to begin the process of making decisions of line, color and values.  Right now I'm thinking the balance is off, too much activity in the upper left third so am going to have to adjust once I place in color of the mountains and sky.

This is the photo I am working from:

I took this image when Jack and I recently traveled to the Mendocino coast for an overnight.  My honey was so patient while I stopped at every opportunity to photograph the wonderful scenery as we passed.  When he was at the wheel, he also stopped whenever I asked.  I think we added about an hour to our drive but we had allowed the whole day to get there just for this purpose.  It was nice to consciously slow down, smell the smells, enjoy the views, pick some flowers and really "see," and of course breathe...nice long breaths.

Breathing There Along Our Way

 I will be the Artist of the Month at Sutter Gallery in December.  That means that I will have a bigger space in the front of the whole store for that month.  These are some new paintings I have done recently so that I'll have enough and be enough.

Clear Lake Trees

"Clear Lake Trees" is my interpretation of about ten trees that were planted at the edge of the lake in a small park with tables, benches and kids' play equipment.  Jack and I were on our way to the coast for an overnight, and I took the photo when we stopped at our favorite Dairy Queen for ice cream.



These mini paintings are about 2x3" and will be priced low.  I guess I will hafta set up a table to display these, maybe with a lamp and a flower arrangement.

Minis for Gift-giving

This painting is the beginning of a large piece.  It's a trail where we live in the Preserve.  I have painted this location many times.  I know it so well and am plain and simply in love with it!  I'll be working on this for the next few days am hoping to post as I go.


Don't have a name for this last one yet.  It tells the story of nature, walking there, and breathing there along our way.

Transitions

I have been busy doing Autumn scenes and haven't been posting too much.  

These first couple of paintings are ones that are hanging in Sutter Creek already.  This one that looks like it's framed is not really.  I painted on the frame since the canvas is kind of a weird size and couldn't find one.  It's buttons and a couple necklaces and a watch that I have placed under the bronze-gold paint.  It's kinda funky, bohemian and a little kitchy as Anje says.  I put a low price on it to make up for that because the painting itself is still fine art.  Yes? 

This one looks like ladies standing there, lol.  Another kinda funky one, and I like it because it spells out transitions in nature.  And we are nature so we humans transition also, we change our thinking which makes us change our wardrobe and then we feel the need to change our home decor.  I'm going through it right now.  I am transitioning my wardrobe from colorful, gaudy to all neutrals with only splashes of color.  We just changed our living room carpet to tile and I a busily planting succulents to place inside so that they don't die this year in the frostiness that I know is coming.  Believe me, transitions are happening at our house.

 This one to the right is just a little boring painting showing a bit of Fall colors here in the foothills of California along with the golden-ness of the grasses.  I guess the green grasses transition to golden wheat-like dryness, and then eventually  kind of become mulch for the Spring new growth.










Here is a shot of my workroom shelf and a couple of paintings I have been working on this week.










And last, a shot of another two on the other shelf in my workroom.

Ok, so am off to put furniture back into living room once the grout is dry.  Gosh, transitions cause humans to do lots of work...also to enjoy how we are so connected to all earthly things.  Makes me happy, and I am breathing so easily lately...just enjoying being the earthly human being that I am.