Big Study: Small Studies

I have noticed how hard it is to abandon

a large work that has a great deal of time and money

invested in it.  While this is great for perseverance, and problem solving,

it doesn't do much for the rapid repetition that some things

need for learning...

Enter the Study.

We are all taught, as students, the value of doing a "study."  It may be in pencil, done of inferior material or just a smaller version of the intended piece.  At some point we (I anyway) drift off to thinking that everything we (I) start is intended to be a finished masterpiece.  Ugh.  It took some rather large, embarrassing pieces for me recently to have the value of the "study" brought front and center once again. 

Thus I went to Michaels (yes, Michaels) and loaded up on 5 x 7 and 6 x 8 cardboard backed canvases.  They are a small investment and once I apply several coats of white gesso they serve well as a support for painting with acrylic or oil.  

My intention is to "whip" out some small versions of things I might want to paint in larger sizes.  My intention is to feel free to take chances with the way I approach a painting.  My intention is to play with local scenes that folks might recognize and want as a souvenir.  My intention is (D) all of the above!

 my studio drying table with works in progress

The Profile Trail is one of the most popular hiking areas up here.  It winds up the backside of Grandfather Mountain and unless you have done the path you are totally unaware that there is another view of the famous profile:

View of the Profile, 12 x 6

available framed

(Intention #1: check)  In a larger size I think it will need something in the space on left, maybe a branch? That's a lot of blue sky that would need to be more interesting if it took up more real estate.

One of the elements of a memorable painting is that there is something unexpected in it.  "Unexpected surprises" (Wolf Kahn and others) provide a sense of play but require a risk on the part of the painter.  I definitely want more play and have to be willing to take more risks....

Grandfather Mountain Chin Up, 5 x 7

available

These colors do not appear as "risky" when photographed as they do on canvas!  This was actually one of the more enjoyable depictions I have done of the famous old man.  I think that's a sign in and of itself!  (Intention #2: check! take risks)

Corn Flowers, 8 x 6

framed, SOLD

I won't be painting this particular composition much larger I learned.  I loved painting it but feel that much larger would need more in the painting.  Good lesson (saved some canvas there) but I liked it as a small composition of a very prevalent, colorful flower.  And it SOLD (intention #3 accomplished!)  

So bear with me, I think I am on to something that may prove very helpful in my development as a risk-taking, selling-kind of painter.  Well, at least the former!  But really...what took me so long to return to basics?   I know there are more small pieces to come (she says eyeing the stack of canvases) so get ready for some experiments, I'll try to share the good as well as the bad and ugly.  But only the good will hang around for sale!

Still Learning,

Cindy

Hasta La Vista San Miguel

We are home!

We decided to cut the trip short and get my ailing husband to his own doctor...which proved to be a good idea.  He is now on the road to recovery and feeling 100% better, there is a lot of comfort in familiar surroundings, especially when it comes to questions of health.

So plans change and I bring my color studies back to Florida to tackle them in a new light, literally.  Meanwhile, San Miguel remains a colorful influence and I can hardly wait to finish all the work that I started while painting from my little zen cottage on the Simple Choice farm.  I will pretend the days are dry, the mornings and evenings very cool and that I can hear the roosters crowing while I pick cilantro.

I finished my little (6" x 6") watercolor studies of some of the intriguing doors of the city.  They are matted to a 9 x 12 size and will be on my Etsy and Facebook shop during the coming week.  I just love the doors there and remember the first time I saw the area how surprised I was to discover the treasures they hid behind them.  (Framed versions can be viewed below.)

These are the blue doors of the Colmena Bakery, Relox 19A & 21, well known spot for traditional Mexican baked goods.

The green bi-fold doors are beautiful in contrast to the red walls of the city and they open up onto a lovely art gallery, La Galeria de Arte Contemporaneo at Relox 46.

This very narrow but elegant door way is the entrance to a home on Canal Street.  The little oval plaque by the door reads "Mi Casa, Canal #58."  The doors were heavy and old and ornate and had a wonderful heavy door knocker on them.  Wish I could have managed an invite inside!

I took plenty of photos and started several pieces of the Bajio Mountains which surrounded us.  I hear that the already colorful area really comes alive with blooms when the rains start...and you can be sure I am pondering a way to make a return trip during that time of year.  Meanwhile, I will re-enjoy it all via my notes and photographs.  

Here is the watercolor series framed:

Have a great weekend, I hope to be back on schedule by Friday...we appreciate your concerns about Bob and thank you for enjoying the sights and sounds of Mexico with us.

Color Fully Yours,

Cindy

A Month of Left Handed Labor

Just a few of the January 30 paintings in 30 days results:

Thanks for sharing the journey.

P.S.  The paintings which have not yet sold will be available for the special price of $30 plus shipping on my

esty.com shop site here until February 10 when they will revert to their usual prices.

Shipping is extra.

Pisa

I had to resist titling this blog "A Piece of Pisa,"  but that's what it is!  Again in my "Places" series:

   size 5 x 5

white mat to size 12 x 9

Everyone hears about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and can't resist the allure of actually seeing it. 

And while the Tower is fascinating the area is what we Floridians would call

"a tourist trap."  I came, I saw and I was ready to leave.  So we wandered around a

bit, off the beaten path, to remove ourselves from the

hawkers, gawkers and buses, and this was one of

the resulting photos I captured.  Much more Italy-esque

than the other side!

The difficulty I had with this piece is the lack of a strong sense of sunlight.

We were there during some cloudy months and had to deal with low light for much of the time.

I remember this being near the end of the day and we did have an orangey-yellow glow

from the west as the sun began to set, but not much other contrast.

Hence, few dramatic shadows, cast or otherwise!

Who doesn't love Italy?

Even this small vignette makes me thing of wine and olive oil and

great food.

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