Another cloudy day

Carol posted a wonderful sky painting yesterday. Coincidentally that is what we did in group on Thursday, clouds and skies.  Carmen gave a demonstration explaining her techniques and use of color and tone.  She also told us about some other painters she had discovered on YouTube and how they went about their paintings.  It was really interesting and so much fun to watch. 
After the demo we set to work on creating our own paintings trying to use some of the tips Carmen gave us.  I think the best suggestion she had was to experiment.  Everyone approaches their canvas differently, depending on their style, what they see and want to convey.  Even though I had several photos with me I decided to put them aside and just paint my whole canvas blue and then put in some clouds.  I had no other plan.  I just wanted to lay down some paint, mix some colors, try different approaches and see what happened.
After awhile the clouds seem to take shape and lead me in a certain direction.  Some of the clouds wanted to stay light while other areas called to be darkened. Some of the canvas did not want to be clouds or sky at all but the ocean.  One little area demanded to be a piece of land!!  It really was a great exercise in mixing, setting a mood and letting go.
Donna Vines

Reflections of a workshop

The end of the year is looming fast and we are all busy, busy, busy with family and commitments this time of year.  Part of a yearly tradition at my house is the photo calendar.  Every year I give my husband and children a calender with a photo for each month.  Some years it is easier than other to get everyone in so it takes a lot of looking to come up with the those wonderful calendar worthy pictures. 
As I was browsing I came across the photos Carol and I had taken at the Elio Comacho workshop we attended in November. Browsing those photos I could have printed a decades worth of calendars. Not only was the workshop wonderful but so was the scenery.  Here are a few standouts.
Donna Vines



just part of the scenery

After a long day 

Elio's wonderful palette

One of the set ups

 

New England Scene

I am going to Massachusetts for a visit in a week or so.  One of my goals when I am up there besides visiting family and friends and eating all those local treats is to take lots of photos.  I love going on photo shoots when I am there.  It is a great excuse to just drive around and re-acquaint myself with the ocean, marshes and rugged coast line.
Years ago one of my favorite things to paint was black and white photos.  I loved the old post cards and portraits from the turn of the century that were hand painted.  They had such a wonderful hazy glow to them.  They always looked liked they were someones dream of how a place should look.  I still have a few of the ones I did.  This one is in Rockport, MA.  These cottages overlook the ocean and as we used to say, "Next stop England".
Donna Vines



Rockport

Mmmm good

I saw a cute little gem of a move last night that I liked very much called Chef with John Favreau.  Make no mistake about it this is a movie dedicated to the art of food.  Buying it, preparing it, cooking it, appreciating it and last but by no means least, eating it.  This movie was written, directed and acted by people that show their love of family and life through cooking, serving and savoring food.  Alas, I am not a foodie but craved a Cuban sandwich or anything with lots of ingredients after the movie was over.
After seeing this visual homage to all things edible it made me think about how many paintings I had done with food as the main "ingredient".   So, no matter how you eat or think about food you can't deny it is pretty to look at and fascinating to paint.
Donna Vines

Peppers and Pears

Lemons

 

New Again

Seeing the wonderful paintings that Carmen and Carol did for CFAI Juried Show inspired me to look through my photos and see what I might have that I haven't seen for awhile.  Something to inspire me and get those creative juices flowing again. 
While I was looking through my photos of New England, No. Carolina, the beach etc.  I came across some photos I took of an Old Masters Show we had done.  There right before me was my painting of "Tahitian Women Bathing" after Gauguin and "Starry Night" after Van Gogh.  It was such a kick to see these and remember how much fun we had doing the "Old Masters" but also how difficult it was to imitate a great painters style. Even though we were painting freehand it was almost like painting by numbers because all of the colors and parameters were laid out for you.  You had to be very exacting.
Donna Vines





Gauguin  Tahitian Women Bathing

Van Gogh   Starry Night

Pear Season

After a long hiatus from oils I begged my fellow 8, Carol to stand over me and prod me along again.  She graciously agreed and after seeing her beautiful pear still life yesterday I asked if she would paint a pear with me. 
It felt good to just get out my oils, brushes, and easel and set up for a still life.  No products, no found objects, no newspapers spread on the floor, no rubber gloves just some oils and a canvas.  I painted this pear from a painting Carol had done awhile ago. Neither my colors or the shape is exactly the same but the process is.  Draw, mix, paint.
I have also been inspired by several of my other 8's who have committed to painting or drawing daily.  Thanks, sometimes life gets in the way but don't let it get in the way of doing something for yourself as often as you can.

Pear Day 1















 

My Still Life Paintings in the Hills in Georgia

I really do not like painting outside.  I want music, air conditioning, and my comfortable studio instead.  While the PO8s were painting at the home of Phillis Holland in Georgia last week, I finished two small pictures of vegetables that I first painted and then ate. The paintings will be available at the Pieces of 8 annual art sale on December 7 at very reasonable prices.

We will see you on the 7th.

"Peppers from the Garden"

"Beets before We Eat"

Denette's website

Denette Schweikert

Stormy skies

I have lived near the ocean my entire life, I am really very lucky. I have also traveled a lot and seen many beautiful skies but the skies in Florida are special. The colors are unlike any I have seen before. When the weather is good the oranges, blues, reds and purples just saturate the sky before sunset. Also as beautiful but oh so fierce are the skies when a storm is coming. I took a few photos with my phone on the way home the other night as a storm was brewing and I just had to paint it.