It is what it is

It Is What It Is (pink and green landscape), acrylic, 24x36, 2012

I showed up at the easel today.  It felt good.  Normally I would go outside to paint in the summer, but it is too hot and my back hurts.  I think this was better to use acrylic today.  I needed to splash some paint around a large space.  I also reworked a few other old ones, and started one new one.

This one was a grid landscape before I attacked it today.  (simple landscape in progress 1).  It was similar to the chessboard painting I posted a few months ago.  At first I thought I would just touch it up, but soon started to just cover big areas and let the colors blend on the canvas.  I mixed large amounts of a few different greens, blues, and pinks before I started.  That was a change in my usual way of doing things.  Usually I mix each color as I need it.  I had lots of leftover color that I liked when I was done, so I covered some other old paintings.

Shoe Sketch

I have not been painting much.  But I do bring my sketchbook pretty much wherever I go.  Running shoes have interesting shapes.  Yes, that ankle is way skinny.

I need to commit to painting/drawing more.  Sometimes I think I should just forget about it until my life is less busy, but I do not believe my life will ever be less busy.

"How are you spending your one and only life?"  Someone said that and it stuck with me.  Does anyone else remember where that is from?

Orange Pansies

Orange Pansies, watercolor, 12x9, 2012

I'm calling this one done.  I seem to be interested in leaf forms these days.  These pansies were a door prize at a baby shower I attended a month or so ago.  The darker leaves are a flowering plant that has not flowered yet this year.  Metaphorical possibilities abound.  I need to continue to work on this sort of thing.  I'm switching techniques too often in the one picture, and I still struggle with light.  Maybe focusing in on a smaller section would help.

Rice Creek Leaves

work in progress, 9x12, 2012, watercolor

work in progress, 9x12, 2012, watercolor

It is a hot day today.  I went out painting before it got too warm, but had to stop to go pick up my daughter from cross country practice.  I plan to try to work on these some more this afternoon.  My deck is in shade in the afternoon.  If necessary, I could work inside as well.  

I'm feeling discouraged by the wide gulf between what I envision and the reality of what is showing up on the paper.  I know from past experience that what I need to do is just keep painting.  Still....

Locke Park Leaves

Locke Park Leaves, 7"x11", watercolor, 2012

I went looking for a place that was not too far away and had moving water.  This park had many footbridges over a fast moving stream.  Very nice.  The spot I chose also had some fallen logs that had turned mossy with new plants growing between them.  The idea I was going for here was the sensation of focusing on a small detail among the cacophony of stimuli. I'm also trying to do this post as quickly as possible so I will believe that I can post more often.  This time it is 20 minutes from photo to hitting the post button.

Duluth Waterfalls

Studies, Congdon park and Lester Park, Duluth, each one is 4.5x6, 2012

Here is more of the work I did while in Duluth.  I am amazed at how you can be just a few blocks from downtown and be in the woods next to a beautiful waterfall.  Congdon (spelling?) park is lower than the surrounding landscape which makes it feel even more secluded.  The moss grows thick.  In the fall the moss blooms bright red.  I hope to go back to see that again.

Water and Rocks and Bridges

Amnity Creek Duluth, watercolor, 9x12, 2012

Many thanks to Jill for suggesting this spot!  It has got it all, water, rocks, a bridge with a semi-circle form.  This painting needs a bit more before I will call it done.

Banning State Park Kettle River Rapids, watercolor, 9x12, 2012

I think this one is done.  On the way home from Duluth, I noticed the outside temperature rose from about 48 to 65 by the time I passed Moose Lake.  And the sun came out.  I did not see the sun the whole weekend in Duluth.  I decided to stop at Banning State Park to do more painting and hiking.  This spot is called "Dragon Tooth" on the hiking map.  I think the actual Dragon Tooth rock is on the other side and I left it out because it messed up the composition.  If I go there again, I may try to work it in.  Somewhere in my house is an unfinished picture of this same spot from about three years ago.  I want to find it.