'How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrid, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June…if it was only the other way! If it was I who were to be always young, and the picture that were to grow old! For this—for this—I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the world I would not give!'
Oscar Wilde
Below is a view from my studio and it is a snowball bush that has grown somewhat awry -which I quite like.
June
oil on canvas
18x24in, 2011
available
(still a wee bit glare y, will re-shoot when dry)
I worked alla prima over an existing dark painting-played with higher chroma and worked out some compositional divisions. I also worked on mixing new spring greys.
I have finally settled on a medium that works well (for me) when painting outdoors— 2 parts safflower oil, I part dammar varnish or Canadian balsam ( it’s expensive) and a few (use sparingly) drops of cobalt drier. I much prefer this drier to alkyd additives and mediums like Liquin, which I have used on and off for many years. When I work outside in the warm sun I like the paint dripping wet so use lots of solvent /medium in the initial stages of laying in. As I build the painting with thicker passages, the sun and the medium tend to set up and become tactile-I love that ‘pull’ as the paint then has a beautiful plasticity.
weekly Plein air classes resume
*Weekly classes in Plein Air Painting resume next Monday night, June 6. There are 2 openings left so if interested, please contact me. If you are new to art making this is an opportunity to engage in a nurturing, encouraging and informative environment. You will approach and develop techniques including observation, composition, value, colour, brushwork and paint handling. For practising artists, this is an opportunity to hone individual goals and push beyond your comfort level.
A smorgasbord of inspiring subject matter is waiting for you:
gardens, vineyards, orchards, fields and amazing sky
For more information about the series, click here or on the top right hand side of this blog.
**If you have registered and would like to pay online securely via paypal, click the link below. You do not need an account with paypal to complete the transaction.
I like to think that if I took up plein air painting, my work would look just like yours. What delicious freedom you have in your brush. I so admire your work, and your vigorous approaches. I can tell you get lost in the moment as the pieces emerge--very natural, unstrained style. You make it look so easy--but I know better.
ReplyDeletegosh Jan ! ... I stilll adore that poppie painting ! ... maybe more in the future ?!
ReplyDeleteAh, the quote from Dorian Gray! Looks like spring and life in your painting, too. Might be late, but June is busting out and you capture it with vigor and wild abandon!
ReplyDeleteDes couleurs qui vibrent et qui chantent au rythme de l'air... Bisous.
ReplyDeleteyou've captured the essence...I love how "direct" these works are.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote and your inspirational blog - if I could paint half as well as you I would be one very happy woman!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan
ReplyDeleteYour paintings are so alive, so organic, so rhythmic, and oh so beautiful! Music to the eyes!
Steven