Red!

Flower Dance, 6 x 6

Lately, I've been doing lots of 6 x 6's -- a good thing, since I have been noodling ideas for larger formats, but not settling on any yet (i.e wiping out).  For me, it's a challenge to develop new approaches while keeping up with commitments.  Figuring out the balance is my current (and ongoing) quest.  YIKES!  So the 6 x 6 studies are comforting, relatively risk-free, and keep the painterly paint paint paint going.  I am seriously aiming to release the HAVE TO vibe, and find the WANT TO, inspired feeling that we all seek (and yet get the paintings out there too : ) 

One space just opened for the workshop this coming Sunday, November 6th, at Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta...call 404-257-0511 on Monday if you want to join us from 9 - 4:00 - one day only - with the focus on feeling the subject and eliminating detail!

Green and Blue

Green and Blue Bottles, 6 x 6

SO glad to be back in Atlanta, after our trip to Provence and then out to Alaska to see the kids...we had a truly wonderful time, both places, but I really like being back to the rhythm and comforts of home.  And, oh yes, back to my easel too!  I have been doing lots of 6 x 6 life studies, always trying to loosen up and practice seeing nuance and little bits of truth.  I can see that I was somewhat bolder with the 2nd bottle painting below, which was done 2 days after the one above...

Bottled Up, 6 x 6 

Table at Les Murets

Quick sketch of the table, large shapes

The real deal

Well, long time, no blog...I wanted to post from Provence, but wifi a bit sketchy and time was fleeting.  Meanwhile, the trip was just great!  We were there for  2 weeks, with 2 different groups, lots of gorgeous weather, amazing evenings (wonderful wines too!) overlooking the Luberon, painting mornings and afternoons in different settings.  Of course, we also found time to browse local markets,  enjoy gourmet lunches at quaint restaurants, and laugh together each evening at La Table!

The group painted in different settings, but the focus everywhere was on seeing the large shapes, seeing values, keeping it simple, simple, simple!  I nagged everyone to use bigger brushes (as usual)!  We contended with a mistral, for real, the first week on the very first day, forcing most into a cafe for a sip of wine (save one hardy soul -- not me -- who braved the winds).  Photos follow of the wonderful people, the paintings done and partially done, and a glimpse into the magic of Les Murets, the lovely home that was our base.

The smiling and gracious Ann Huff, creator of this magical place, dans la cuisine

Angels Mary, Kelly, Nancy, Georgia, and Rhonda take on Cassis - watch out!

Crystal Cox, beside Lac du St. Remy

 

Juanita Kauffman, smiling at the beauty found in Isle Sur La Sorgue

Three Huffingtons (Dawne Raulet, Ann Huff, and me)

Mary Muir, braving the winds

Nancy Armstrong and Georgia McAuley gathering onlookers in Cassis

 Sunlit Salon chez Les Murets, our home in Provence

Dawne Raulet and John Jenkins, first day

Kathy Broyles, early morning light

Kathy's study

Juanita's oeuvre

Sketches, petits et grands

More impressions

Nice painting by Janah Doles (view from the terrace)

Last Morning

Au Revoir!

Last Bloom

Last Bloom, 6 x 6

At my home in Atlanta, I have an almost totally shaded yard, so the idea of a hibiscus thriving or even growing,  is pretty ridiculous.  Notwithstanding that fact, about 3 weeks ago I bought a hibiscus plant, intending to paint a couple of flowers in a jar or something.  Basically,  I liked the creamy colors and the red centers.  

Well, I never got around to it, but I did get a moment to paint this small study; since we leave for France tomorrow,  I guess the hibiscus moment has passed.  I intend to post from Provence, and am excited to breathe in the essence of that special place.  A bientot!

One Foot Out the Door

Read to Me, 12 x 16

Well, one week from tomorrow is the long-awaited departure day for France - yay!  The Provence workshops are upon us ... there was a meeting at Huff Harrington yesterday to go over packing light, yet adding a few last minute art supplies, and details for the train to Avignon, etc.  Of course, Ann and Sarah served champagne and tarte jambon to the attendees, and we toasted to the soon-to-be-realized dream of painting and just breathing l'essence de Provence!!  (I am bringing my computer and hope to post from Les Murets).

The painting above has a certain gentle spirit that I sought -  I spent lots of time refining the expressions and focus of the children, while trying to avoid too much detail.  I sketched like crazy before applying paint -- not sure whether that was a good idea, since it kept me a bit literal.  BUT - I really wanted to be exact in catching the flow.

Sketch (unfortunately on a reddish-tinted board, which drove me crazy) is pictured below.  You can see that I was really working the angles. 

Rosemary's Peonies

Rosemary's Peonies, 36 x 36

Right around July Fourth, my friend Rosemary and I went to the wholesale flower market.  I was buying something ordinary, don't even remember what, while she found and purchased some wonderful yellow tree peonies.  The next morning, she was knocking at my door -- "you have to paint these!"  So, I did, which was no easy task.  They were opening, dropping petals, and changing by the minute; finally, I quit chasing the shapes and approximated the feel, or at least, that's what I was attempting!  I do like the shadow and the movement of the stems here - those elements make it kind of dramatic.

Love Oil Paint

Londolozi, 6 x 6

While at the easel today, I kept thinking -- "I love oil paint!"

It's just so versatile... thin and sketchy, or expressive and juicy, or thick and sculptural.  As a former watercolorist, I am always aware of the flexibility of oil.  I can smusch edges, drag color into other areas, or just wipe totally off if needed.  This afternoon, I probably should have been finishing some large paintings in progress, but instead, I did 4 or 5 small pieces (6 x 6) and just had a great day!  It was nice to be enjoying the paint, and enjoying the freedom from "production" mode.  When doing small studies, one is less committed to results, an attitude that often leads to freer, more soulful expression.  For me, that's the ticket!

Les Aubergines, 6 x 6