Color for a Grey Day

How nice it is to be able to enjoy a touch of the tropics on a cold, grey New England winter day!

For the third year, the Haverhill Arts Association is holding a "Paint-In" inside the greenhouse at Nunan's Florist and Greenhouses in Georgetown, Mass. For three Sundays, we set up our easels, settle with in our sketchbooks, sculpt in clay - or work in whatever medium we choose - anywhere the main greenhouse at Nunan's. 

It is so amazing to work among all the color and beautiful tropical plants during the usually dreary month of January. There is colorful inspiration everywhere:

I usually have a hard time deciding where to paint - there are so many lovely things here! Besides the beautiful plants, there are wonderful statues, colorful pots and all kinds of fun accessories. Sometimes, I choose to set up a little still life. Other times I just  zoom in on a single plant. Then greenhouse is  usually fairly warm and bright, which makes it a pleasant place to be in the middle of winter.  It is also quite humid - which makes it a bit extra challenging to paint with acrylics.  I am used to painting quickly, in thin layers  - so paint that won't dry can be a bit difficult and requires me to be flexible. This year I decided to try working on canvas, since in the past I found that the paint on panels wouldn't dry at all. Experimenting always keeps things interesting!

One Sunday, I picked out a lovely tropical plant in oranges and yellows to paint. Here is my set up:

After wrestling with it for a bit, I ended up with this little 6x6" piece on canvas:

On Sunday, January 28, we will be having an exhibition at Nunan's from 12 until 3 pm to show what we have been working on the last few weeks. It is always fun to display our work in the greenhouse! More pictures to come......

Two Pears - Small Still Life Painting with Pears

Two Pears

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on canvas

Just finishing up this commission and moving on to the varnishing stage. There are so many colors i these pears! I can't wait to varnish them so all the colors just "glow".

I will only be taking a few more commissions before the holidays. Be sure to contact me soon if you are interested in a unique piece created just for you!

June Day - Plein Air Landscape

June Day

4x6 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

Well today was to be a framing day - lots of framing I needed to get done for some upcoming events.
But the weather was absolutely perfect, and as I drove home from a post office trip and a local delivery, I eyed the tiny cemetery around the corner from my house, thinking of how wonderful it would be to spend a few hours painting there today. However I kept on going, knowing that a lot of framing awaited me at home.

In the end, I decided to compromise - an hour in the yard, and the rest of the day to finish the framing. So this was a quickie - 45 minutes tops, and no touch up after. I used a larger brush than normal, determined to keep things as loose as possible. I also decided that in this predominately green scene, that I would not use any premixed greens. My palette consisted of cadmium yellow medium, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and titanium white. It was interesting to see the range of greens that resulted. What I found the most difficult though was not the greens - but finding some browns that I liked. I should have spent a little more time with the composition, too - I'm not pleased with how that tree ended up dead center.

Anyways, it is the PROCESS, right? I am glad that I spent the time out working on this on such a lovely day. Next I've got to get to work on some pieces for a new gallery.....bet you can't guess the theme!?!

First Plein Air Painting of the Season!

Reaching Out

Kelsey Arboretum, Boxford, Massachusetts

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

I've been eager to get out and paint, but the weather hasn't been too agreeable. We had one really warm week (when I was swamped with projects!) but then it turned cold again. This morning didn't feel too chilly, and after catching up on some of my favorite plein air painters blogs (make sure you check out Sonya Johnson's pastels!) I decided that I NEEDED to get out!

I was so eager to get out, that of course I forgot my hat and gloves, so I knew I wouldn't last too long - but I figured any time out would be a start. I have promised myself that I would take the pressure off myself to "produce" when painting en plein air and just enjoy the process - and realize that I learn something from each experience, even when the painting is not satisfactory. I also told myself that it is okay to paint sitting, with my tiny box in my lap if that makes me feel more comfortable. I think I am a little intimidated by setting up with an easel - it makes me feel really self conscious! I plan on getting a little camp stool to throw in the back of my car so I can figure out what will work best for me.

I have also told myself that it is even okay to paint from the back of my car when needed, so I don't have to wait for perfect conditions or a "perfect" spot - that I don't need to do things a "certain" way. Isn't it funny how some of us feel like we need to give ourselves "permission" to find our own way? I love painting still lifes, but something keeps drawing me back to painting outdoors - maybe it is just the love of nature and landscapes in general. I know my landscape techniques need a lot of work, but it is going to take a lot of practice to get even close to where I would like to be.

Anyways, today I headed to the little arboretum around the corner from my house. Some forsythia in bloom, some green buds, but not much color at all. It looks like the Korean Rhododendrons may have tried to bloom in the warm weather we had earlier, but then were thwarted by the later frosts. The bushes had no leaves at all, but had some shriveled up purple flowers - very strange looking. I wandered into the edge of the woods and spotted some wonderfully shaped old dead trees. I believe this one is a Canadian Hemlock. I'd like do a few studies of the tree - I think it might have potential as a subject of a larger studio painting.

I sat on a big rock - and found that I like working with the box on my lap. So the painting was quick - and rough - but I was glad to get out there and am looking forward to an active plein air season!

Another Plein Air Landscape

Mary Herrick Forest Pond

6 x 4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

Well, I hit the conservation land again yesterday (just finally got a working scanner tonight  ;-)

I went to Mary A. Herrick Forest, a beautiful property that is managed by The New England Forestry Foundation. Part of the land is used as a Christmas Tree Farm and I have to admit I was a little intimidated when hiking in I came upon a few trucks. I considered turning back,  unsure I was in the right place. I'm glad I continued on......I soon came to a scenic little pond, one side lined with lovely birches, filled with wonderful fall colors. I decided to set up on the birch side of the pond facing a colorful but swampy area where some pine trees were struggling to survive.

This time I was mostly in the sun, and my paints were drying faster than I could work - the opposite problem from earlier this week. I look forward to returning to this area - it is another place really close to home that I had never visited before.

Witch Hollow - Plein Air Landscape

Witch Hollow

4 x 6 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

I finally made it outside to paint today...no more excuses!
It was a beautiful morning, and after taking the kids to school, I headed over to a local conservation area at Witch Hollow Farm. The trees are just beginning to show their colors around here in Massachusetts. At this field, the trees were still mostly green with just a hint of color, and the field itself was just lovely. I set up on an old road, facing the field. There is a beautiful old farmhouse dating back to the 1600's way off to the right of the conservation area - I hope to make it back there to paint the house some day. I drive by this area all the time, and it is fascinating to watch the changes in the field from season to season. I have a few more paintings I would like to do at the field as it looks now - and then maybe revisit it later in the fall when the leaves have turned.

I started with a canvas panel that I had toned previously - I had toned a bunch of panels with different colors to play with a bit. I THINK this one was red iron oxide. It was much too strong and really difficult to cover. I've liked lt. cadmium red in the past, but I just wanted to try some different things to see how it affects the tone of the whole painting. I think I also used too much retarder in the acrylic paints I had mixed up in my tiny pots - it just wasn't drying at all - the opposite problem to what I usually have when working outdoors. Oh well - I will keep experimenting - let's hope the weather will be a little more cooperative than it has been the last few weeks.

By The Shore - Plein Air Sketch

By the Shore

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

I worked on this one while sitting in a "tin tub" tied to the dock near my inlaws' camp on Shin Pond in northern Maine. I wanted to capture the light on the water - it was a cloudy day and the light changed so quickly that I had a really hard time of it. I think I also needed to change my position a little - I think this painting needs some sky  ;-) Once again - I'm not pleased with the outcome, but it was a good learning experience.

Mountain Meadow - Plein Air Sketch

Mountain Meadow

6x4 inches

acrylic on linen panel

We did a lot of hiking in Maine as usual this year, despite the rainy weather. My kids are all now big enough that they tend to leave me in the dust on mountain trips. One day, we got a break from the rain for a few hours, and while the kids and their cousins climbed a small mountain, I stayed down in the meadow to paint.

I didn't get a whole lot of painting time during our two weeks in Maine. I usually try to allow a few days to stick around camp alone to do some painting, but it just didn't happen this year with all the hiking and side trips planned. I think in future years I will end up doing more of this hiking in part way with the group like I did the day I did this painting, but then staying on one location to paint and joining back up with them on the way back. While I haven't been thrilled with the plein air work I did on this trip, it has been a great learning experience and I hope it will lead to improvement in future paintings.

Haynes Field - Plein Air Sketch SOLD

Haynes Field,
Boxford, MA

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel
SOLD

This is what I did with my morning yesterday, a beautiful morning that was not nearly as hot or humid as it has been lately.....my kids were in a playground program and I had an hour and a half of free time (a true luxury in the summer!). So I went across the street to a beautiful field that is part of our town's conservation land and adjacent to many hiking trails. I found a shady spot in the back corner and spent my hour and a half on this little painting. It once again shows me things I need to work on (like clouds!) but at least I didn't feel like throwing my easel over a cliff this time! The plein air practice continues....

Early Morning Water Lilies - SOLD

Early Morning Waterlilies

Lowe Pond, Boxford, Massachusetts
4x6 inches

acrylic on canvas panel
SOLD

This is the plein air piece from the other morning after I re-worked it a bit. I still would like to go back and try again another day! I read that the water lily blossoms open each morning and close by early afternoon and only bloom for a few days then they sink down in the water for the "fruit" to grow under the surface. I was at the pond just after sunrise, so that explains why not many flowers were open. I'd like to go back and study these further.

I spent and hour and a half painting in a field this morning while the kids were at a morning playground program across the street. A better expedition that my last plein air experience! I hope to post my painting from today later. I know I need to push myself out of my comfort zone a little and keep practicing the plein air work - hopefully I will start to see some improvement........

Solitary Spot - Plein Air Sketch

Solitary Morning

Lowe Pond, Boxford, Massachusetts
4x6 inches

acrylic on canvas board

Today was my last morning of "freedom" before the kids are out of school for the summer. I knew I had to spend it by myself, outside painting in a quiet spot. This is a pretty little pond surrounded by woods. I wanted to capture the way the morning sun shone through the trees and just touched the pond, and the feeling of peace I felt here.  Not quite sure I succeeded. I am amazed at how easy some people make plein air landscapes look - I am definitely challenged! But I have the desire, so I will keep practicing.

I hope to keep my posts regular throughout the summer, but it may take a few weeks to find and adjust to a  new rhythm with the kids out of school....I hope you will stick with me  ;-)

Kelsey Arboreteum - Heather Patch

Kelsey Arboretum - Heather Patch

This is one of my favorite spots in the little arboretum around the corner from my house. There is a wandering little path (called "Heather Patch") to a wooden bench at the edge of beautiful little patch of heather. The heather always reminds me of our honeymoon spent in Scotland. I can't wait until the patch is in full bloom.

This came out a bit dark. I am finding these landscapes really, really difficult- and it is making me realize that it is important to push myself out of my comfort zone and get out there and paint them as often as I can. I hope the practice will help me grow.

My worst nightmare (!) happened while I was working there today....someone actually showed up in this quiet little spot. It was a dad with his little girl and they came over to talk to me and see what I was painting. I was at that early stage in the painting, just roughing in a composition, where it looks like absolutely nothing at all but a bunch of messy bright red lines - I was mortified to have anyone see it! But the little girl was really cute and asked a lot of questions, so I was brave and didn't run away  ;-)

The Chosen One - Plein Air Sketch

The Chosen One

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvasboard

Hmmm - I hope Blogger is back to normal soon. I couldn't post last night. And forgive the missing posts -they are supposed to be restoring them soon.

Anyways, today was another plein air backyard day with my six year old. And the black flies. Ick for the black flies....I had to scrape them out of my little paint pots when I got inside. And remove a tick, too - which by the way, if you live in tick country like I do, I highly recommend this little tool: http://www.tickedoff.com/  I actually got it to use on the dog, but I have found that it works great for getting ticks of myself in those hard-to-reach places (and don't worry, I bought more than one  ;-)

Anyhow, still refining my set up. I toned a few panels - a little too much - I need to lighten them up a little. I also was having a lot of problems with getting my (acrylic) paint to flow well with the wind and the sun, etc. I used to mix in a little retarder in the old days. I was trying to avoid that, because I felt like it "deadened" the color a bit. But I really need to do something....I figured it has been 20 (!) years since I tried retarder - I know they have made advances in acrylic paint formulation, so why not in the mediums? So I have some from a different manufacturer on order. In the meanwhile, I added a drop of gloss medium instead. It definitely helped with the flow - but I'm not sure about the little bit of "gloss" factor when working out in the sun. I will keep experimenting!

Now off to finish my pepper painting for the DailyPaintworks Vegetable Challenge.......

Millbrook Farm Plein Air Sketch

Well, I made it out of the backyard today!

The weather was perfect, so I decided a little more plein air practice was in order. After I dropped the kids at school, I headed over to Millbrook Farm Conservation Area. I live in a fairly rural town in New England. Lots of woods and water - and fortunately, a lot of protected and conservation land. I went to a place I hoped wouldn't get too many other visitors. It was a beautiful morning, a little windy, with a couple of red-winged blackbirds making a racket and keeping me company. Lots of good scenes in the one little spot, I'm sure I will go back there again. It is a good early morning spot - too much sun later in the day. I have to admit, I was terrified of the thought of anyone coming by. Just when I was thinking about picking up, someone else did show up with a kayak to do some fishing. He didn't even look twice at me - so I guess I was afraid for nothing! I know that I need to get past this fear of working in public.

I see a lot of things in this sketch I would do differently, but I am pretty happy with the fact that I ventured out today! Baby steps, right?

Where the fairies hide....

Where the Fairies Hide

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

So I made it back out today...and I feel a little better about this painting than the last backyard sketch that I did. I am starting to accept that some days may be just sketches, little paintings I can use to inform later studio work. It is hard to convince myself that not everything is going to work out as a finished painting!

I am practicing painting outside just in my backyard for now, tweaking my set up, figuring out what will work for me and trying to gain a little bit of confidence before I venture out into the world with my paintbox ;-)

I worked on canvas panel instead of watercolor paper today - which was an improvement. I am not a fan of canvas panels in general, I'd rather work on plain panels or stretched canvas, but for right now these are easy - an relatively inexpensive (since I know I will probably go through a lot of them this summer!). I concentrated on just working quickly, getting everything laid out, keeping details minimal. This concentrating on such a small area while painting a landscape is new to me! I changed brushes, changed my palette - both improvements to my set up helped the work flow better. Today was windy, another challenge, plus I also had the added bonus of having my six year old outside with me. I figure if I can paint with styrofoam airplanes being launched towards my head, I should be able to paint anywhere, right?!

Sharing the Ugly, Too

Okay - I know that part of the sharing of the process here is sharing the good, the bad, the ugly. Today, it is the ugly  ;-)

The Ugly

I painted outside today for the first time in many years. Just a quick little sketch - I just wanted to break the ice and make it out there. I've been wanting to get back to plein air painting forever - and I seem to have built up a wall of fear around me that keeps me from actually doing it. I made it one of my goals this year to get back out there.

So I made it outside. I really wanted to try my new set up - and it seems like it is going to work out well for me. That I am happy about. The painting itself - not so much. When I used to paint outside, I was working very differently, and my plein air work was quick, a litttle larger, and very gestural. I think I now need to re-visit what I want to accomplish by painting outside. It is going to take some experimenting, but I hope I will find my way.....