Deep Woods

“A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, 

and some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain 

you end up boring people” 
― Edgar Degas

When I was first learning to paint from photographs I had a wonderful teacher who would let me go just so far and then insist I get rid of the photo.  This can make a student very nervous but is an excellent way to learn how to make "art" as opposed to making a copy.  I couldn't agree with Degas more: a little mystery to the meaning is much more intriguing.

I love to hike altho I often prefer to meander...my hiking friends move along so fast that I often miss the thrill of the wander.  When I head out by myself I see things that are never captured in a photo and the best result is what I feel.  The breeze, the smells, the sounds...they make one feel something that is hard to paint.  How to capture that for a viewer?  I keep trying.

"Deep Woods" oil, 30 x 30

framed

Crossnore Gallery of Fine Art

If you have ever settled down on a rock, alone, deep in the woods and gazed at the wonders before you then you know this scene well.  Sometimes joy is calming and subdued, somethings it is a riot of color and crazy smells.  On certain days it is all of the above ...and more.

detail of  "Deep Woods"

Hope your day is color full,

Cindy

Unseasonal Creativity

Some friends of mine had to take a beautiful cherry tree down and as he was carving up table tops and benches from the huge trunk I asked if he would cut me a few limbs to play with.  I let them dry out and last week decided to sand down the slanted sides when the creative muse decided to visit...out of season no less!

Do you see what I saw?  I brought them inside all sanded and put them on the kitchen bar when they

suddenly took on a life of their own.  I think the muse had Christmas on her mind because I got

the message loud and clear.  There was only one thing

these pieces were destined to be.



A few trips outside and voila!  A cabin nativity scene with all the charm

 only nature can provide.  Alas, it does need a few additions like some pinestraw hair for Mary, a bit of moss for Joseph's gotee and (hunting, hunting) a half of  gumball (from the

gum tree) sprayed gold for the center of the star.  All in good time!

A few more walks with the dog and this effort will be finished.  Why

the creative fairy came with a Christmas idea in early fall is anyone's guess, but when

she comes, one must act.  Nah, this is not everyone's

cup of tea, but I love it...

Can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Alone but Happy

This proud mushroom stands solo but seems very happy in his forested retreat.

I have no problem giving personalities and even background stories to

plants and animals that I paint.  When I hike I

usually find clusters of mushrooms sprouting up after the rains.  This specimen

was different, no rain preceeded his discovery and no buddies were hanging

out nearby.  So I concluded he was either the Lone Ranger or the last survivor

of a mushroom clan.

The finished piece is 8" tall by 6" wide, done on a cradled (framed out) wooden board which is painted white along the edges.  It is rendered in acrylic washes and graphite (pencil), sealed and protected.

I enjoy painting on these boards as they are very flexible in the final stages: hung on a wall with the hanger on the back, propped up on an easel and thus able to be moved around, or even stood upright on a bookshelf.  They are very lightweight and there is no glass to break or smudge.

Any ideas as to whether this is a male or a female

mushroom?





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