Painting outside the Box (again)
Last year is over....whew. I do hope this one will be better. I don't think we could add any more surprises. (oops....wanna bet?) I really don't want to dare anyone to top off the last 12 months. So let's just move onto painting.
Well the positive side of COVID for me was the ability to be in a studio much more than I have been in the past. It is funny, I have been saying "I just need time in my studio." That is why we must be careful what we say- you might get it, but not as you anticipated.
These last several months, it has been just me, my paints, my canvas, my imagination and extra time in my studio. I have actually had a very productive year. Being an impressionist and just an artist that likes to push edges, probably not as much as some, but I have been using a lot of imagination and pushing things outside of my comfort box. I have found dreamy places where my mind goes, and been producing many new works that might change my art forever.
These examples of the Cherry trees, and the Meditation Tree are proof that we can paint something plein air, adjust our color palette and application method and end up with something not seen everyday. Which wasn't the intention. My intention was to share my inside "dreamy space" outside with you, and I love the results. Since I have been spending so much time on my farm, most of my inspiration has been from here. I see the atmosphere at different times of the day, and color arrays that I am blown away by.
I use these scenes, sometimes add cold wax and paint as light in value as I can get. Sometimes increasing contrasts with only two values. It is a dance of color and temperature. I am having so much fun, I don't mind being stuck in my space!
I will be painting more and having a show specifically for more abstract landscapes and other subject matters August the 3rd at The Little Green Store in Huntsville, Alabama.
Will I give up reality? probably not. I am just combining some phases that I started over 10 years ago, and bringing it back with new and improved skills!!!
Keep painting and push your box. 
