Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 14 of 30

Last post I discussed color and how fun it can be to see color in the landscape, especially when one color seems to predominate. Green is like this in summer. It's everywhere and in order to make interesting paintings, artists need to look beyond it while also looking deep inside it to make it interesting for the viewer.

Daily Painting No. 14 of 30

3x3" original oil

Here's a great example of seeing beyond the colors that are there. It isn't green here right now, but it doesn't look like this either. What fun to make a new color vocabulary for a spot! 

Small works this September are giving me space to stretch. I love this!

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 13 of 30

While I've always used my palette knife to get paint mixed well, this challenge of daily paintings on a small scale have me applying the paint with the knife. The thickness of the paint is fun and attractive on these small works. 

This sunflower piece is from Tangerini's Spring Street Farm in Millis, MA close to where we live. What a treasured spot with farmers who like artists so close by and a true source of inspiration for me!

Daily Painting No. 13 of 30

3x3" original oil

I always like finding assorted colors in the greens out there, too. Seeing color is such a fun part of being an artist. I'm blessed to keep working on it everyday. 

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 12 of 30

Simplicity in painting is difficult to figure out for me. I see all of the minutia and want to reference all of it. In my studio, the most frustrated I get is when I'm putting in too much and can't make it work.

Daily Painting No. 12 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

This piece is about simplicity. What color is in the distance? What about the sky? These studies are teeny at 3x3" and I don't have a lot of wiggle room to convey everything. How can I made it work?

Oils, too, are tricky. Imaging painting with smooshes of colored butter. Lines aren't as easy to make. Hard edges get blended. Color ends up in color. It's a joyful medium when you let it do its thing. I love it hate it love it again numerous times in each painting.

Daily Painting No. 12 of 30

3x3" original oil

My struggle here ended in a nice spot. I love the color and light harmonies. Feels like September in my neighborhood field, just like I had wanted.

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 11 of 30

While painting my marsh the other day I had an idea for a glowing underpainting. Today's piece is all about that glow. Similar subject, new approach!

Daily Painting No. 11 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

In class I caution my students about "noodling" the work. When you want the underpainting to show, noodling (or overworking) can't happen. Efficiency and confident mark-making are important. Too much smoosh and the underpainting is covered.

Daily Painting No. 11 of 30

3x3" original oil

The horizon glows with this method. I'm happy!

Thanks for reading!~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 10 of 30

The beginning of the month starts with organization and a huge transition -- daily paintings and school starts again. Such planning and time-management skills are in use, and I get lulled into a false sense of security. "I've got this down! A natural time-manager!!"

And now, day 10, and I'm posting at 10pm rather than 7:15am. Took 10 days :) 

BUT --- the paintings! I have been having fun and working hard. My show in October is coming up and I need to work for that. I have commissions coming due. I have to get going on those. But these small works have me inspired and wanting to paint all the time.

Daily Painting No. 10 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

While looking for a piece of paper recently, I stumbled into my filing cabinet that represents my life put away into four drawers all neat but sort of like that last scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark. What treasures did I stow away that need to be studied? For a while I remembered everything that was in there, but if I'm honest, that was 20 years ago and things just keep going in there!

I mention this now because I found some work I did while studying in France waaaaay back in 2000. My paintings were neat-o! I was on the brink of something fun. Simplicity. Modern. Ah! Painting everyday for a summer will bring you to a new level. 

One painting in particular has me inspired. And so, while working, I'm really thinking a bit differently. Today's painting starts along those lines. Oil is a tricky medium for me. I want to paint FAST but it demands planning from me. And patience. And diligence in getting clean mixtures. Pastel isn't the same for me, but the results I want aren't the same either. 

Daily Painting No. 10 of 30

3x3" original oil

Maybe I'll post some of my paintings I did while studying in France someday. I love to look at them. It was a magical time for me, oddly spiritual and creative and wholly unique. I am blessed to have had such a time. 

Reminder: my local art classes are going to start up again the week of September 19th. Zullo Gallery is a fantastic spot and I'd love to have you join us! Thanks! 

Thanks so much for reading! ~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 9 of 30

Before I get into my painting, FYI: my local art classes are going to start up again the week of September 19th. Zullo Gallery is a fantastic spot and I'd love to have you join us! Thanks! 

Little makes me feel like an artist as much as painting nocturnes. In past 30in30 series, I've painted nocturnes and written about how I find them one of the last things artists have over photographers. 

Daily Painting No. 9 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

Sure, artists can take photos at night, but it's the artist who can really describe the scene vividly. Again, this is inspired by my neighborhood, but with some dramatic liberties because it's fun to take liberties. 

Daily Painting No. 9 of 30

3x3" original oil

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Daily Painting Sept 2017 :: No. 8 of 30

It took eight days for me to get back to the marsh. It's one of my favorite favorite places to be.

Daily Painting No. 8 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

The more I paint, the more I enjoy taking risks and chances with my paintings, especially when the works are small. They aren't as precious and decisions stand out. 

Daily Painting No. 8 of 30

3x3" oil on 5x7" oil paper

I need to do more of this on a larger scale!

Thanks for reading! ~kmw