Friday Inspiration: Land, Sky, and Water

I hope you are able to make the most of this holiday weekend.

Maybe take some time to go out and explore the land with a long walk in some meadows

or a hike along a stream

or maybe relaxing by the water's edge is your idea of paradise

Whatever it may be, enjoy.

and I will see you next week.

Liz

{all watercolors by Sears Gallagher, images from here}

Petunias and Apple {Bountiful Observations no. 32}

Petunias & Apple

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $400.00 + S&H

Painting this still life was like returning to visit an old friend I had missed so very much because the hustle and bustle of life had kept me away. Then once in the presence of this dear friend, I wanted to soak up every nuance and lilt of the voice.

I did this by slowing down and enjoying the experience, knowing I had the entire day to enjoy.

May your Monday be a good one! It is good to be back at work.

Liz

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

.............................................................................

This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Friday Inspiration: A Summer Walk

{Hamilton Hamilton (American artist, 1847–1928) A Summer Day Picking Flowers}

Do you love the end of summer? When the flowers sing out their last hurrah by generously blooming and the birds and squirrels caper about.

This weekend if you get a chance, walk out into the sunshine. Breathe in the fresh air spiced with the fragrance of flowers and verdure. Maybe gather a posy of wildflowers, or snap a photo, and absorb the wonder of nature.

Have a happy weekend,
Liz


{painting and artist discovered on the wonderful blog, It's About Time}

Daisy {a new floral painting}

Daisy

{7" x 5" (17.8 x 12.7 cm) – oil on linen panel}

In a Private Collection

Hello,

Have you ever seen the movie the Girl with the Pearl Earring?

While working on this painting, I kept thinking of the scene where Vermeer asks Griet what color are the clouds. At first she responds "white", but then at further investigation, she then observes other colors, yellow, blue, and gray. Then Vermeer says "now you understand"

With this painting with so many whites, I was captivated with the different tones and colors seen in the white petals and the white bowl behind.

Still running behind...

Hello,

Many thanks to all the supportive comments and emails I received last week.

Naomi is on the mend, and so am I. Today marks the first day back to our usual schedule. And I now hope to catch up some on the backlog of tasks that began piling up...

Alas, because last week was a total wash {no painting occurred} and I am still behind schedule, I do not have a Bountiful Observations painting to share today. If all goes well, I hope to have one to share with you next Monday. Please keep your fingers crossed that I can get caught up :)

I will be light on posting again this week...

Until next time, have a wonderful week and enjoy these last few weeks of summer,
Liz

Juggling and being behind...

{Naomi exploring}

Juggling it all, family, career, and personal, is a well balanced dance, and if one area gets out of whack, I begin to trip up and drop some balls.

I do not have a new Bountiful Observations painting to share with you today because I have had a series of days where my well planned days did not progress as hoped. Last week I botched a painting I had been working one, then on Sunday after a few hours of working on a new one, I stepped back and realized it also needed to wiped down, and today (Monday) began at 1:30am for me and Naomi. She has a head cold and cough, and was unable to got back to sleep dispite all my best efforts... And so no studio time was achieved and I do not expect much time a the easel tomorrow as well.

She is doing better this evening, she went down easily, and soon I too will crash in bed for some much needed sleep...

So, what are you juggling right now? How do you manage it? Do you have a little help or some secret that always sees you through? Please share your secret, as it may be just what I need right now :)

Sweet dreams to you, Liz

Friday Inspiration: In the Garden...

From my garden...

...wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Liz

Great Falls {en plein air}

Potomac River Series 29 - Great Falls

{approx 5" x 9" (12.7 x 22.9 cm) – oil on gessoed paper}

matted, size 11" x 14" - $175 + S&H

When creating art, I find I am totally focused on the present, in tune with my surroundings and eager to understand and know what is before me better than I ever have before. When I go outside to paint, awareness grows stronger in me and I feel invigorated and inspired with life.

Yesterday a friend and fellow artist reminded me of a quote by Eugene Boudin

"Everything that is painted directly and on the spot has always a strength, a power, and a vivacity of touch"

I think this belief in the strength of being in the moment and interacting with it as an equal participant applies to all aspects of life. By being present and involved the sense of self grows.

I hope this post inspires you to engage in your world and to find areas where you can interact in a direct method, just like painting on location.

Daisies and Apple {Bountiful Observations no. 31}

Daisies and a Granny Smith Apple

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $400.00 + S&H

One of the pleasures related to painting is the opportunity it affords to slow down and really absorb, with intention, the object in front of me.  Providing the opportunity to appreciate and revel in life, finding beauty in the objects that populate my world.

My goal as an artist is to also share this experience with you, creating paintings that cross over and maybe speak to you.  Encouraging you to find a moment to be still, to feel the wonder and love in your life.

I hope you have a wonderful Monday,

Liz

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

.............................................................................

This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Friday Inspiration: Help from Mentors

Who do you turn to for advice when extra experience and knowledge would be helpful?  Do you have a mentor to offer guidance?

{Tomatoes by Danni Dawson}

Last night I was busy answering some interview questions for this week's Daily Paintworks Artist Spotlight Interview (click here to read the interview) when a question asking about my greatest influences got me thinking in parallel how finding a good mentor is so important to achieving goals.

So today I thought it would be nice to highlight the two people who have added so much to my life as an artist.

One of my most rewarding and long time mentoring relationships I have ever had began over fifteen years ago when I was in Architecture school.  Joe Hutchinson was my art history professor, and then became my M.Arch thesis committee chair.  His support during graduate school was important, though the amazing thing is that he still provides assistance now that I have entered a career as an artist.  This is because after he retired from being a college professor, he moved to Santa Fe, NM and now dedicates his time and energy to developing his own art career.

{Still Life with Red Chair by Joe Hutchinson}

We regularly talk art theory and practice and it is so wonderful having someone who knows art history and theory as well as he does to bounce ideas and thoughts off of.

{Still Life with Falling Oranges by Joe Hutchinson}

In the interview I also mentioned how the artist, Danni Dawson, has been a major influence to my art career.    Her influence can be directly seen by observing her own still-life paintings, her ability to capture simple objects in a realistic and refined manner is something I strive to do with my own work.  

She has also been the most instrumental instructor in teaching me how to handle oil paint and how to approach the construction of a painting.   Through lessons with her, I have learned how to complete color studies and also how to gesturally begin a painting.  

{ Peaches on Coke Box by Danni Dawson}

When I took my first class with Danni, she told me to paint 100 color studies.  I am not sure if I made it to 100, but the majority of my daily paintings completed in 2007 and 2008 began as color studies where I would begin with the complementary color of the predominant local color found in the object I was painting.  She can be a hard task master, bluntly stating what is wrong with a painting or composition, however I believe some of her most critical comments were the ones I learned the most from.  Some lessons are just better learned when they are proceeded by a big mistake....

{Maria by Danni Dawson}

I hope sharing these experiences inspires you to seek out a mentor and value their contributions to your life.

Have a wonderful evening, 

Liz

Strawberries {a new daily painting} SOLD

Strawberries

{5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm) – oil on linen panel}

SOLD

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

Strawberries are one of my favorite treats of summer. And Naomi is also developing a taste for them.

Today I was making a fruit salad while Naomi was eating her lunch. During much of the process she was very preoccupied with spooning her lunch herself {she is entering the independent phase where she does not want any help in eating} and not that interested in what I was doing. Until I began chopping up the strawberries, then she began fretting and fussing. At first I did not understand, but once I figured it out and handed her a few pieces of strawberries, all was well in the world.

Don't you wish all problems in life were so easily solved? A few strawberries and happiness ensues.

.................................

Here is a photo from today...