Bemidji

North of the Barn, watercolor, 7x4.5 (each), 2012

I went out to paint north of the barn after supper because that was where the light was best.  Mosquitoes chased me inside before I finished, so I finished them this morning.  Mosquitoes in Bemidji on March 21.  Today it is colder.  We will visit awhile, play some board games and head for home.  This meadow might be garden by next year, that would be fun to paint also. 

Willow River

It has been crazy warm here in Minnesota.  I'm on Spring Break right now and I did not need to travel anywhere to be able to paint outside.  Well, OK, I went across the border to Wisconsin.  Willow River State Park is so beautiful.  Miles and miles of great hiking and a spectacular waterfall. 

Willow River 3.19.12 (1), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012

Willow River 3.19.12 (2), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

After sitting by the waterfall for an hour or so, it was a nice change to find a quiet spot near still water.  I worked on these two paintings of the fallen branch at the same time.  It started to rain while the sun still shone, creating a full rainbow.  Wow.  I love how at the end of the day the water has pink in it.

Willow River 3.19.12 (3), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

Willow River 3.19.12 (4), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

I returned to the waterfall before heading for home.  I only penciled it while there and then painted it at home.  There was a large group of rock climbers there early in the day, when I returned later it was just one woman climbing by herself.  She did get down safely.  

Getting into my car I realized that I would be driving west for a long time at sunset.  Thankfully, there were clouds at the horizon so I did not have to stare into the sun as I drove home.  That day was a gift.

Climbing Rocks

Climbing Rocks, acrylic and acrylic photo transfer, 16x20, 2012

I went to a workshop where some Dakota and Ojibwe artists showed their work and talked about it.  I learned about this method of using photocopies and acrylic medium to do the transfer from one of the artists there.  I can't remember her name and I tried to look it up just now with no luck.  I will find out and include her name in the next post.

I really like the combination of photo and abstract strokes of color.  I plan to do more with this.

More Simple Landscapes in Progress

Simple Landscape 2 in progress, acrylic, 18x24, 2012

Simple Landscape 1 in progress, acrylic, 24x36, 2012

Should it really take 20 minutes to create a post?  What am I doing wrong?  Too much agonizing over photography and editing to try to get the color right.

Painting today was short, but I enjoyed pushing the paint around.  Showing up at the easel.  That is what it was all about today.  Feel like I'm coming down with something.  Headache and nausea.  Hopefully it will not still be here in the morning.  Gotta drive the kids to band in the morning and then teach other kids about Chinese art, and then Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, and then Winslow Homer.  No wonder I'm feeling a bit scattered.

Simple Landscapes

simple landscape in progress, 36x24, acrylic, 2012

I feel a need for wide open space.  I do not have it here in my house.  I spent some time at school yesterday trying to create it there.  There are about 2 hours of daylight left in the day, maybe a walk would do me some good.

Chessboard, 36x24, acrylic, 2012

I got a new easel and 3 big canvases for Christmas, I think the chessboard one is finished.  I was thinking about the relationship between the bishop and the pawn, thinking at first that this arrangement provides a possibility that the pawn could take the bishop, but only if the bishop is prevented somehow from attacking the pawn, perhaps by some other piece, but it is quite clearly wide open space, no one else around.  If it is the pawn's first move, it could move two spaces to safety, but then it is stuck there.  Why did I choose a bishop?  Because of some connection to religion?  No, because they move diagonally, and it makes a more visually pleasing arrangement.  But it is called a bishop, so the religious connection is there, whether I want it to be or not.  I really like this one.  But I do not know what to do with it.  I can't imagine displaying it anywhere.

Distance

Distance, watercolor, about 4x4, 2009

When I painted this, I was at a friend's cabin and the scenery was beautiful, but I did not paint the scenery.  I sat outside and painted from my imagination.  I used the paint in a more opaque way than usual for me.  I left the white spot near the base of the tree because it felt right to do so.  The title distance comes from both the close-far feeling in the painting, and the fact that it reminds me of how sometimes I just need to remove myself from others for a little while.  

I almost did not put this one in the show.  I'm not sure why.  But I did and it was one of the first to sell.  Interesting.

Chess

Chessboard (in progress), acrylic, 24x36, 2012

sketch for chessboard, pencil, 6x9, 2011

Board games seem to be a big part of the lives of people around me.  I enjoy playing a board game now and then.  Those near and dear to me play more often than I choose to play.  I think the forms of chess pieces are interesting and the distorted grid has intrigued me for some time.  Lots of metaphorical possibilities with this one, I will think on that more as I continue to work on it.  I think the sky is too dark, but I like the purple/yellow grid.  

I fell away from blogging in 2011.  I think I was questioning if it is worth the time, and even questioning if painting is really how I should be spending my time.  I'm hoping to post weekly in 2012.