Pear 6" x 6" Oil on Panel I feel as though painting has been a challenge the past few days. Painting, scraping, wiping and painting again....And then running low on time to finish and post, so not finishing but still having to share. It is really a stretch for me to share something I don't feel good about but I know this 31 day challenge is about showing up at the easel everyday and painting. Not always having a finished piece to show but observing, putting paint on the panel, looking, comparing colors, values, relationships... but what I think I need to do more of is to play, to be bold and experiment. Not to play it so safe, to have some colossal failures and to be OK with sharing those and trust that it is all part of the process. Easier said than done!
Two Mandarins 6" x 6" Oil on Panel When I began this painting I had a sidelight that I had planned as the main light source, but I was set up next to a sliding glass door. We are currently getting a snowstorm so as the painting progressed so did the ambient light coming in from the slider. It really flattened out the light. I find it much easier to give an object shape when the shadows are more pronounced. Might try this one again.
Big Apple Little Bowl 6" x 6" Oil on Panel I had hoped to get outside to paint again yesterday but the day got away from me so I did another still life. I'm headed to VT for a week today to care for my mother so painting everyday will be a challenge but I have my sights set on that Strada Easel!!
Apple Tree in Winter Cumberland, ME 6" x 6" Oil on board First day outside this winter. We had a few inches of fresh snow last night audit cleared up this afternoon with temps in the 30's. It actually felt pretty balmy. I really do love painting this time of year.
I feel as though I was just here participating in a 30 day challenge. I was, just four months ago. September's challenge was hosted by Leslie Saeta and the rules were much looser. You had a couple of days to post your painting, it was just to her site and you could paint whatever and however you liked. I chose to paint from life everyday no photographs and really felt much more comfortable doing it at the end of 30 days. The Strada challenge you must paint from life and you have to post your painting each day to your personal Facebook page. If you complete the 31 days you are entered to win one of five Strada easels, a definite incentive. I chose not to do this challenge in September because I didn't want the pressure of having to post to FB each day. Painting unlike photography you really don't know what you are going to get each time you begin a painting. You may have a general idea but once you begin they take on a life of their own. That's what makes it fun but also extremely challenging, especially with the added pressure of feeling like you have to show the world the failures as well as the successes. These days with photography you can see instantaneously whether you have something you are happy with and if not you can get 100 more options in a very short period! The other added pressure is that it is January in Maine so painting outside is more of a challenge. I hope to do some Plein Air paintings, but I think the majority will be still lives inside, something I really haven't done much of in the past few years but really enjoy. So here we go, I am looking forward to where it takes me and to solidifying my painting practice again. Also looking forward to meeting new painters as well as following a few I have met along the way. Day 1 Hydrangeas Day 2
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SARA GRAYAfter spending over 20 years photographing professionally I thought it was time to explore something new and experience my world with paint and a brush. Archives
March 2019
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