The colors really aren't as vidid in this photograph as in person...
Happy Father's Day!
While my husband was at a ball game this afternoon with our elder son (who is also celebrating his birthday this week), I worked on this piece for five hours and completed what I think is a really strong piece that is very representative of my recent work.
I really did try to make this painting into a farmscape, but honestly, when a piece really is not looking the way I want it to, I try not to invest many more hours and supplies into it. Instead, I look at what else it could be (with some coaxing).
This morning I got an email from MFA announcing their annual "Stormy Weather" show and the call for entries. And what I was convinced was a really ethereal cloud and sky was transformed into this piece, "Sidewinder". It looks really nice alongside of other works I've recently completed, which is important because I am trying to have a more cohesive body of work now and in the future.
Does this mean that everything I do will look alike? No. Big no. I'm just wanting a little more harmony lately. I will likely have other styles to fool around with as time passes, but as of today, I am looking for a formula that I can apply to each new piece. I've been experimenting with dry brushes, texture, and brushwork, and this piece is perhaps a culmination of those techniques.
Below is my sketch of the landscape that was Sidewinder, yesterday. I had a lovely little farmhouse on the landscape and then just couldn't move forward because I thought the little house was just not what I wanted. Besides, sharing my failures is a way to commiserate with those of you who are trying at work but just not hitting the mark. Keep on truckin'!
Happy Father's Day to all you Papas out there and thank you for stopping in today! I have another painting to begin early this week, the underpainting complete and ready for a composition sketch! You have an idea? Email me :)