The Joys of Painting in Late Summer I had a wonderful time painting zinnias late last summer, in the Asa Gray Garden at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. So many flowers were cheerfully blooming and showing off their colors. Birds were singing and chipmunks were scampering. I could hear the gentle flow of the water fountain a few feet away. I got totally immersed in my surroundings, enjoying the sounds as much as the sights. Challenges of Late Summer Painting En Plein Air There are challenges, of … [Read more...] about Late Summer Painting of Zinnias
Art
Painting in the Shade
Last summer, my friend, Dari, invited me to paint in her garden, which is full of attractive flowers and plants. How wonderful it is to have friends like her! On hot, sunny days, I prefer painting in the shade to stay cool. Yet, the change in light and temperature do alter one's perceptions. The primary challenge on this July afternoon was to capture the colors of Dari's beautiful hydrangea which lives in the shade. I didn't want the painting to be too dark. Work in Progress Initially, I … [Read more...] about Painting in the Shade
Loosening Up My Painting Style
One of my painting goals for a few years has been to loosen things up and be more expressive. I want people to understand what they're looking at, but I don't want a photo-realistic style. For me, it's about painting from the heart. Regardless, I do tend to get caught up in the details and render my subjects too tightly. When finished, I am highly critical of how accurate my painting is! I think I'm finally beginning to break this crazy cycle. A friend once told me a way to reduce the … [Read more...] about Loosening Up My Painting Style
Revisiting a Painting
I usually know if a painting is finished. Something in my gut tells me there's nothing more to do and we've reached completion. If I'm unclear, I ask myself this question: "Am I futzing or finessing?" The answer will lead me to my next step. Futzing equals done! Finessing means I have to make a few tweaks. I can see some thing(s) that just doesn't look right. Yet, I might not know how to "fix" it. What tweaks should I make? That's when I put it away and revisit the painting at a later … [Read more...] about Revisiting a Painting
Painting Azaleas at Auburn Lake
I've always admired a pair of azalea bushes at Mount Auburn Cemetery's Auburn Lake. Their remarkable magenta and rose colors astound me. A Dawn Redwood tree provides a sheltering border. I love to paint in this quiet, magical area, especially in springtime. It's a very relaxing spot, very meditative. The only sounds I hear are birds singing. In fact, catbirds often watch me, probably because they build their nests there. Be sure to watch the video I made, posted at the end of this … [Read more...] about Painting Azaleas at Auburn Lake
Transforming Belmont: Art on the Corner
Thanks to a generous grant from the Belmont Cultural Council, I was 1 of 5 artists awarded stipends to paint a transformer box! When I received the good news, I was super excited about diving into my first public art project and creating something that would beautify our community. But, I was also a little ambivalent because I had never painted anything this large. With a lot of guidance and encouragement, I found my way to the finish line! Transformer Box Proposal The “Transforming … [Read more...] about Transforming Belmont: Art on the Corner
100 Day Art Challenge
I’m always looking for ways to expand and improve my art skills. About a year ago, I took a Nature Journaling class at Naples Botanical Garden. It stretched me far beyond my comfort zone into the world of watercolor. This year, I participated in the #100DayProject, a free, global, Instagram art challenge to create something every day for 100 days. Moving back to MA after a few years in FL re-awakened my appreciation of the seasons. So, I chose “seasonal inspirations” as my theme. I set aside … [Read more...] about 100 Day Art Challenge
Lessons Learned in Florida
Our time in southwest Florida is nearing its end, as Peggy (my partner) and I are moving back to Massachusetts in a couple of weeks. We've missed our community of family and friends, as well as the familiarity of places and offerings, more than we imagined. It's been a mixed experience in Florida: unusual circumstances, like friends moving away within months of our arrival; disconnect with aspects of the culture that don't resonate with us; surprises and delights with the ecology; learning … [Read more...] about Lessons Learned in Florida