White Out

“White…is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black…God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white.” — G. K. Chesterton 

Perhaps someday I'll pass through this phase of liking really high-key paintings!  Right now, I continue to push the paler shades of white, or is it the "Whiter Shade of Pale?" 

As one will often hear at my workshops, "white isn't really white --  neighboring colors always influence what the viewer sees as white, so avoid using white straight from the tube!" 

That being said, Gamblin has a wonderful discourse on the various properties of white paint - you might want to check this link:  http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/getting-the-white-right.html

Below are a few recent experiments in creating a pale yet strong balance, my ongoing challenge!

Softly Yours, 16 x 8

Intriguing Possibilities, 16 x 20

Quai d'Orsay, 16 x 12

Shimmery, 30 x 30

Morning Sun, 16 x 12

Annie in White, 22 x 15

Well, and it IS the Christmas season, so a white package is in order, non?  So much appreciation and love for the supportive and positive friends I've made this year in the painting community! 

Rock It! 6 x 6

p.s. below is a wall I saw yesterday at Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta, combining a lively abstract and a couple of my "whites" over the fireplace...the "Huffingtons" can surely hang artwork in a cool way!!