Interpretation

This piece was done the same day as the little landscape two posts ago. Can you tell what it is? I try really hard to "tweak" my personal vision when I look at a particular set-up...going for a slightly unique approach, close-up, vertical, color etc.. just different enough to break away from the "norm" or "obvious" interpretation of the subject. (hopefully:)

The Palisades

Aha...a landscape I did this summer overlooking Lake Champlain from Basin Harbor. Really tried to make the clouds dark (which they were), but I think we err on the side of caution because they are clouds and we want them to be white and fluffy...another myth shattered!

peony demo

Did was the demo painting I did at my last workshop in Manchester. It was painted from a photograph and stressed negative shapes (leaves in foreground), bright, clean color and a unique perspective.

stop thinking

A little landscape with water I did earlier this summer...this was after some frustrated attempts and then I decided to just throw caution to the wind and paint without thinking, since I was reusing the backside of the ruined piece...hey nothing to lose!

no such face

So this might look a little scary, but I was experimenting prior to the figure session with some new supplies and made this face up in my head..I was using conte pencils and charcoal pencils and then washing watercolors over top...trying to loosen up.

gazing

Okay time to veer away from vacation thoughts and onto the next...this was done from a photo of a friend of mine while having dinner. I tried to abstract it a bit and used some "tricks", like bubble wrap pushed into wet washes of pigment...has some potential. (22"x15")

aaahhh vacation

I'm still posting from the Maine trip sketchbook...this was the view from the kitchen of our friend's house.. what a nice place. Everything on vacation always looks, tastes and feels good..that's why it's called vacation, right?

back again

I'm baaaaaack...took a couple days off from blogging...to run around and deliver artwork, finish up matting prints and tons of other stuff...but all is done now, well at least whatever is done that needed to get done..now it's on to the new things that need doing...phew. A little sketch from my Maine journal..and yes the water there looked gray/green..

Small Farm

This week is all across the board with my work...today a barnscape...but that's half the fun, keeps things from getting boring. Changing up the subject, colors, paper etc..I might try some hot press paper soon...hmmm.

Male Model

Back to the weekly figure sessions...the brush does get rusty when it comes to another, not so familiar, subject. It's all about the measuring and comparing when you draw the figure...I need to do more to get better or at least not end up with super long limbs and other out of proportion features. This one seems to work.

On the rocks

I spent the weekend in the Eastern part of the state and had a chance to photograph some new inspiration at the farm across the road from where my art show was. Lots of feathered friends and a very impressive Tom Turkey...boy was he vocal and fluffing up his impressive plumage..so maybe a turkey painting sometime...

Harbor watch

One more from the Maine sketchbook. This was the view from a small restaurant across the harbor in Stonington. I left out quite a bit and just did a quick sketch of a few lobster boats and the pilings next to the dock house. Simplify is the name of the game.

Maine Crab(apple)

Here is another sketch from the Maine journal..a little crabapple tree loaded with fruit. The fruit was also ginormous (is that a word?)...maybe the salt air does something to them! Off to Corinth to hang the show. Anyone out there stopping by this weekend? Opening reception tomorrow from 4-6 p.m. Come say hi.

Journal pages

I made an accordion fold journal for a recent trip to Maine. I used my favorite Fabriano watercolor paper. You can make these books any shape or size and if you make a dedicated journal for a particular trip or occasion you are more apt to fill it up or suffer the "empty" page syndrome. Found the little crab on the beach and put him on a rock in the sun (he was unfortunately already swimming the big ocean in the sky) and captured the strong shadows beneath him.

Red Poppy

An oldie today..haven't done these close ups of poppies for a while, but they are good warm ups to loosen up the brush and pigments. These are 7.5" square and aren't a big investment in either time or paper.

"Sun in September"

I hope you all enjoyed your Labor Day..I did end up laboring by making some cards and doing various other things to get ready for this weekend's show in Corinth. Today it's off to my last VT Watercolor Society board meeting. We are getting ready for our Fall "business" meeting where we will vote in new officers and board members. (22"x15")

"By the Pool"

On this last day of the heat wave I'm posting an appropriate image...by the pool is the place to be when it gets so hot! A different subject for me...but I have been painting the figure at the drop in open life drawing sessions for several years now. Those will start up again in a couple weeks...looking forward to it

Summer heat

The heat wave continues..we are breaking records up here in the North...but I'm not complaining since the cooler weather is around the corner, but it does make one sluggish and I have tons to do. Weekend show coming up next Saturday and Sunday in Corinth, VT. Check out Towle Hill Studio for info.

"Burst of yellows"

I missed yesterday, but will post the demos of my workshop from last week soon. Had a lovely 3 days in Southern Vermont with a great group of ladies. Beautiful setting, fresh flowers, a bunch of watercolor exercises, some new approaches with great results. Thanks everyone...you know who you are :)