Memorial Day Picnic, Smith Mountain Lake

9 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Perfect weather, bright sparkling water, and this family having a picnic at the park over the Memorial Day weekend.  A painter's opportunity if there ever was one.  I have become addicted to painting people of all shapes and sizes.  I feel as though I'm sculpting when I move the paint around to get the effects I want.  I used to love to do this with pastels because my hands were in direct contact with the surface, but what was lacking for me was the thickness and creamy consistency that the oils have.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of painting with oils, but the fact that I wake up each morning and can't wait to get into the studio says it all.  I even dream about painting...How weird :-)

Family Day at the Lake

8 x 8" Oil on Gessobord

A study of a family at a park in Singapore.  My Daughter-in-Law took the photo I painted this from.  She's taking photography classes, although I really don't think she needs them.  She has an artist's eye and gets some great shots.  I'm so lucky she lets me paint from her pix.  She and my son live in Singapore and travel all over the world.  Their next trip is to the Himalayas to run a marathon.  I told her I expect her to carry her very heavy camera around her neck during the race so she can take more photos for me.  Very uphill..  Is that a problem??  Somehow, I don't think she's going to :-)

Family Day

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

I'm really into water now :-)  Painting it is not as easy as one would think.  It's a struggle, but when it comes out the way I'd like, I'm thrilled.  These last few paintings I've done have been such a joy.  I haven't gone into the process thinking about what it "should" look like when it's finished.  I've just been letting it happen, and the outcome has always been a surprise...and a happy one at that.  For me, movement is always the key.  I must say, though, that I did get new contact lenses recently ... Perhaps that's what makes the difference :-)