This was a redemption effort. I had an old self portrait from years ago that was just plain awful. I don't like to waste canvas so I kept it thinking I would reuse it someday. After years of ignoring it I finally was tired of seeing the old wretched attempt, and decided to paint over it with a new self portrait.
This was a series of limited palette 6x6 daily paintings done in the January cold. Two shells and a rock. I enjoyed the smooth surface of the gesso board and the quickness of the study. I tried it several times and completed the top version to my satisfaction.
For the last fifteen years in October, nine college friends meet together on a beach in Florida. We wait for this weekend all year long. Raising children, the teenage and college years, celebrating weddings and then babies, suffering losses...we have shared it all. This scene captures how we feel not only when we hit the beach for the first time, but that feeling of celebration when we all step off the plane.
While spending time on the beach, I find it inspiring to see families and friends enjoy nature. In this digital age when kids spend so much time with screens, it is refreshing to see children gleefully engaged with nature.
That brilliant September sunset was over and the sun was almost gone. The cars were heading back over the bridge. All that was left was the violet glow. I was attracted by the lavender hues of the sky, water and pavement.
Catching the Sunset
Beautiful sunsets on Duxbury Beach are a never ending source of inspiration. One evening in September of last year, a blue moon was scheduled to be present. I, in the company of many, headed out to the beach. The moon wasn't much to see but the sunset leading up to it was remarkable. Our town has two beaches back to back, formed on a strip of land which forms a thin peninsula. One side is the bay of our town and the other side is the open ocean. We are on the east coast so the sun sets behind the outer beach. The beach fence in this scene is protecting the beach grasses on the outer beach so it is being illuminated by the warmth of the setting sun in the west.
I am grateful for the kind comments of the judge regarding my painting:
"I’m there: indeed, one of the figures is looking at and sharing the joke with me! This is an instance where the artist’s ability to completely capture a moment, and bring the viewer with her, tips the scale in favor of this painting. Combined with complex and accurate but completely natural drawing that manages to convey the ease of the figures; a somewhat rough style that suits the grittiness of a beach and perhaps some windy conditions; the portrayal of cloudy-bright midday light, which is difficult to do well; and the nice directional movement that adds liveliness to the painting, The Happy Place takes first place and makes me happy, too.
Here is the link to the show:https://ppscc.org/exhibitions/
There was not a lot of clear information on the 2 photos that were available but I guess that is where the artistic license comes in. It was a challenge but I enjoyed attempting to create a piece that would be evocative. Pastel can generate an almost etherial feel some times and since this piece was all about an old memory, I gave it a go first in pastel.
The client was pleased and so am I.
Can't get enough of the Beach in September...
The October wind is blowing and we say good-bye to the last days of summer. I visited our beach an evening two weeks ago and the waves were crashing in against with the most beautiful translucency as the sun beginning to set. I clicked away hoping to revisit these images during the winter months for a breath of summer.
Thank you for viewing.
I have spent many years painting part-time, mainly doing portrait commissions, while also working as a Financial Aid Counselor at a local community college. While I LOVE portraits and portrait commissions, I yearned for more time at the easel to stretch myself creatively in other directions as well.
I am thrilled to now be fruitfully painting full-time every day! This was one of the sliver linings of the past several sheltered years. I began working from home like many people, which allowed me to paint and study more through the many on-line events and offerings that became available. Eventually I felt it was time to leave my "day" job to be able to finally pursue painting full-time! What a gift and such a joy!
I have been immersing myself in the last days of summer by painting seascapes. I am so happy to share my painting journey going forth! Thank you for visiting!
Seascape No. 1
