I remember when I was first starting out with still lifes, I was mostly unhappy with everything I painted. But there was usually one little thing I was proud of. And that one little thing had to make me happy enough to keep going. And the more I painted, the more I liked. With landscapes, I am not all the way back the beginning, but I keep telling myself - "baby steps, be happy with them." Like, I love the trees in this one! And I like the house on the left. And I like the car, and the reflection of the flowers (can you see it?). But I know I can work on making it all gel. The weather is still not cooperating - overcast - but maybe that's an excuse.
20 comments:
Your paintings always inspire me to loosen up. Just let the stroke be. Those trees are a good example of this. Every day I too am looking for those baby steps. It does help, in painting and in life journeys. Thanks again for the inspiration!
I need to point out that the car, the flowers, the trees and the house is the whole painting! I love it too! I really love the car- it doesn't look American at all- very European!
I am having one of those days where nothing is working in my studio and I have nothing I am dying to paint- very discouraging. Hang in there.
I know you don't know me, but I feel like I know you!
I think you're being too hard on yourself.
As artists, we can all be really critical of our work. But it's a learning process and the more we paint, the more we look for challenges, and the more we learn. I find your knack for composition in your paintings is so very interesting and is something I strive for in my own work. As for painting on gray days? If you study any of the Cape Cod school artists, you'll learn there is a lot of color on a gray day and you've certainly captured the essence in this painting!! I love it!
It's lovely! And so appreciate your journey as we all have to find what we like and keep going. Hit home with me today. Thanks!!
I love your landscapes, I wish I could get mine to be as loose.
As far as excuses..."The Artist's Book of Excuses" by Jim Wilcox comes to mind every time I think of an excuse. One teacher even suggested getting the book then just tell him what number excuse you are using to save time!
Keep up the great work!
Hi Carol,
Have been getting your emails with your daily paintings and I always enjoy seeing what you are up to. I think you are a fine painter and these little paintings are a great exercise. I want you to know that I am very, very impressed with your CAR! I am a landscape painter that can't paint mechanical things.
Maybe I need to do the same thing and just paint them until I master them. My streets are always a little lonely looking.
Thanks for all your tips. I look forward to finding you in my mailbox everyday.
Mu best.
Susan in NM
This is beautiful Carol! Yes, I see the reflection of the flowers, and I love the things you pointed out too. Looking forward to my next workshop experience with you! I know I will learn much. thanks for working so hard and teaching everyone so well.
Yeah, that looks German O:-) I've heard the weather will get better at the weekend.
I love the yellow reflection in the car. Are there also some fields with rape around. That is a yellow!
Carol, I think there is so much to like in this painting! Well done!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your progress. I think there are a lot of us - me at the top of the list - that can relate to your baby steps. Means a great deal to me when you let us in on your journey.
And, yes I can see the yellow reflection of flowers in the car. Very nice!
Hope you have better luck with the weather!
I like this very much. LOVE the reflection of the yellow flowers in the car.
I agree with Steven, you're being too hard on yourself. But that's why you're such a faboulous painter! Your expectations are high, AND you know the self-talk to keep yourself going.."baby steps, baby steps. What do you LIKE about it?" Because of your honesty you have lessons for all painters, no matter what level! We learn so much from you! Thank you! AND the painting is great!
I think I am beginning to love your landscapes even more than your still life - they are beautifully ordinary and wonderfully special.
Carol, Your plein air paintings in Germany last year convinced me that you weren't some kind of domestic housewife that couldn't get out of her kitchen. You have no clue how well you handle landscapes. Richard Schmid, incidentally, suggests overcast days as the best time for plein air, as the light doesn't present its normal challenges. In his book Alla Prima, there is a photo of a painting he did (from under his poncho) in a torrential downpour in Alaska!
Thank you for inspiring me, I truly admire your skill in capturing the essence with minimal brushstrokes.
I come to your site daily.
Cheers,
Russell
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=347382702880
Nothing to complain about here. Nice composition and you're really getting the subtleties of the gray day.
The trees here are wonderful and the distant hill is the perfect value and color.
In "Uphill Path" the nuances of color in the distant trees are right on.
You ARE too hard on yourself but that's what pushes you. Don't fret and have a nice time.
The reflection on the car is really pretty cool!
As painters, our vision always exceeds our grasp. This is a GOOD thing Carol. You are a very talented painter, and your vision will always exceed your grasp. It's what will keep you growing. It's what keeps your game face on. I think you know this.
Best,
Gaye
Landscape is such a different beast from Still Life.
The still life is totally controlled by the artist. Nature, not so much! Weather, changing light, bugs, level of complexity...A different challenge for sure.
I like it.
Another one of my favorite still life artists, Brian Burt, is branching into landscapes. On one of his blogs it looks like you painted the same car around the same time. Classic.
http://art4diapers.blogspot.com/2010/05/daily-diaper-40.html
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