Oregon Painting No. 1

Things have been busy, but I haven't left my painting by the wayside, no sir. I present to you exhibit A:

Not quite finished, but evidence nonetheless. It's the first of three small paintings that I worked on this summer when Josh and I headed to Portland for our annual anniversary trip. Since Southwest lets you check free bags, I decided to bring my painting stuff along - a test run for Europe, if you will. 

On the first Wednesday of our trip we headed straight to the Columbia Gorge, Portland's wild, lush backyard. I took lots of pictures that should keep me busy painting for months. It's the most beautiful place in the world.

We took the Eagle Creek Trail about 3 miles in, to Punchbowl Falls, and spent the afternoon there. Here's a portion of my trip log describing the experience:

"We started from the trailhead about 11, I think and it took us maybe an hour to get to Punchbowl Falls, about 3 miles away. The hike is mostly uphill, but the scenery is so beautiful you don't notice you're getting tired.

The day was warm, so more people at the falls than usual. The water was SO COLD!! Josh and I took of our shoes and waded to the little cove across the river and unpacked sandwiches and apples.

"It was just... the best. The best to sit and eat a sweet crisp apple, and squint in the light and listen to the thundering waterfall and watch kids squeal and swim in the cold water. Perfect. After we ate and relaxed, Josh hiked up a small hill overlooking the falls where there were some trees to string up his hammock (...) I hadn't really thought about the logistics of lugging my painting stuff across a river - it was a while before I got settled with a good composition in front of me. Things went pretty well, but I've got to learn to paint faster - to fill in my canvas faster. I was very careful to keep my turpentine close and not let it spill into the stream - more because of the looks I'd get from people and less because of environmental concerns (turps are potent, but all-natural). I painted for about an hour and a half, until my backend was good and numb from sitting on rocks. Then came the distinct challenge of maneuvering across the river with a WET painting... I had really not thought this through."

It was a really perfect day. Like I mentioned above, though, I am really going to have to start painting faster. I'll be pretty disappointed if all the paintings I bring home from Europe look like this. I'm hoping the diffiult logistics of wet paintings and of painting in awkward places will be solved by a good wet panel storage box... I should get on that.

More to come!

David and Michael

"David" Oil on 8x10 canvas

"Michael" Oil on 8x10 canvas

Portraits of loved ones are the absolute worst. These were a combined mothers/fathers day gift for my parents when they came to visit early in the summer. I had painted a self-portrait, as well, but that one is unfit for blogging. I asked Mom and Dad to let me keep them all a little while longer and fix them, but I haven't allowed myself to return to them yet. 

I'm actually really digging Michael's. It's a good caricature.

Habit

I was trying not to think about art for a while, but it's hard to break a habit.

Ah, well.

Lately I've Been Avoiding All The Painting Blogs In My Blogroll

I actually have paintings to post. Three paintings. Don't know if I can, or should, though. I'm displeased with them for various reasons. Will probably start them all over at some point. 

Mostly I want to avoid painting for a little while. 

Then after an appropriate amount of sulking, I might take on these beautiful pointy evergreen treetops that I see out my window every morning. 

Camp Hill Plein-Air 2012

Ok, I know I haven't posted in a while, which makes it seem like I haven't been doing anything, but I have. Seriously you guys.

I've been painting nearly every day this week, just on long-term projects that are secret.

On top of that, today I participated in the 2012 Camp Hill Plein Air Quick Draw. It was awesome! 

I psyched myself out the day before, getting all nervous and even dropping by the neighborhood to stake out some good compositions ahead of time. I found a great spot at the corner of Willow Mill Park that gave me two nice options:

and:

In the 4 pm light, I was sort of leaning toward the house, with the sweet little shadows along the roof and clapboards, and the nice contrast-y shadows and highlights in that big tree. I knew the light would be drastically different in the morning, though, and sure enough when I arrived around 9 am, the house was flat grey-blue. The park, however, was glorious:

The sun was behind clouds for the first half of the morning, but some delicious long shadows were still stretched across the grass. Don't you love long shadows?

I'm so glad I got there early. I had plenty of time to set up and then sit and enjoy my bagel and coffee and just look. I tried to paint it all in my head, since real painting wasn't supposed to begin until ten. 

I was so nervous and excited beforehand - I imagine it's the way runners feel before their races - and my hands were even a little shaky for the first five minutes or so, but after that, things went really well, just like they should - underdrawing, shadows, deeper shadows, sky, fill it all in, and add highlights. 

Passer-bys were inquisitive and friendly, and showered me with encouraging compliments. Two hours was the perfect amount of time to fill up an 8x10 canvas without feeling rushed. And there was a funny sense of relief when noon rolled around and I absolutely was REQUIRED to stop painting.

I didn't take time to photograph my progress along the way, but here's the finished painting:

"Morning Shadows" Oil on canvas, 8x10"

And framed, for the show:

The colors are not very accurate here... I'm going to have to start using Josh's camera. 

Here's a picture of me and Amy, who also participated - in fact, Amy is the friend who first brought this event to my attention!

It was a fantastic morning. I'd guess there were about thirty other paintings in the competition. I didn't win any prizes, or sell my painting, or anything, but it was a really enjoyable experience to be a part of a real live plein air competition and show. And I couldn't help but thrill to notice that my painting fit right in with the rest. I'd even go so far as to say my painting was one of my top five favorites, and I don't say things like that often. 

I think today's victory is that I was able to paint the way I prefer, under pressure. That feels really good.

Well.

A failed painting does not make me a failure.
A failed painting does not make me a failure.
A failed painting does not make me a failure.

I'll probably be repeating that often. Right now I'm repeating it while looking at this:

 

I dunno. I came back to it today thinking I'd tighten things up. The pitcher wasn't so bad, but when it comes to those darn rose petals I'm stumped. I tried a million ways and scraped off a million layers, and this current way is not looking great, either.

Stylistically, I actually like it as is. If I saw this on Etsy, I'd think it was a cool, interesting painting and I'd pin it in my art folder on Pinterest*. Problem is, this is totally not the style I was going for, and it's a firm belief of mine that a good artist ought to be able to paint exactly how and what she wants.

Anyway, I'm leaving it alone for now. I took Harley on a bike ride and listened to this song on repeat for a while, and I'm feeling significantly better about life in general.

* I mean, no I wouldn't. 

Yeah, It's Been A While

"Blooms" oil on canvas, 8"x10"

Tonight I made myself loosen up. I painted with wide, loose strokes, but I found myself weighing each stroke very carefully.


Meanwhile, I am working on a surprise project. It could potentially become really deeply infuriating, so I've been putting it off for a while, but tonight I made myself get started. Progress shots soon to come.