Saturday, December 29, 2012

Snow Art


In Between Snow Storms

First Canvas - too much shadowing
5"x7"

It's out the door for me, onto the cross country skis, touring over the river and through the woods.  Seriously.  The abundant and heavy snow fall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains has left the most spectacular scenery.  Scenery to inspire a painter to get into the studio to paint winter.

First canvas after removal of some of the shadowing effect

For me that is most unusual.  Though the stark beauty of nature in winter appeals to me, I have not brought that inspiration into the studio, until now that is. 

Under painted second canvas
12x12

It all started with the mini Frosty paintings.  Those little paintings required a palette that would evoke frost and snow, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to pick up almost the same palette and begin working with the idea of snow laden pine boughs, the very same boughs I was sliding under on my skis, see out the window, that surround us here in the mountains.

Beginning of the branch and cone

These are the first little paintings to bring in the new year.  And though I thought I was done with painting pine cones, here they are again. 

Painted in the pine needles.  Now for the snow.

The forecast is for more snowfall over the next few days which translates to more inspiration.  It will be over the river and through the woods straight into the studio for me, enjoying the time between storms as well as the storms themselves.

Snow Cone
12x12

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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Let It Snow


And Let It Snow


I always have a painting outside my front door.  As a painter that is to be expected, don't you think? There are paintings all over the inside of my house, so outside is not much of a surprise.  And the paintings are rotated, both those indoors and out.  Sometimes they change with my mood, other times they change with the season. 


For several years I have planned to paint a Holiday canvas to hang outside as a type of greeting. All those years have slipped by without this happening.  You all understand the reasons that get in the way this time of year.... filling orders (that would be working), baking, spending more time with family, the list can go on and on.


But this year, mission accomplished!  After creating several small paintings of a snowman with the words "Let It Snow" lettered across the painting I decided it was time to take the time (a recurring theme here) to get it done.  


And get it done I did.  After several hours at the easel doing what I love most, this jolly, joyous, jovial guy emerged and is now greeting guests at our front door.  Frosty, that would be Frosty The Snowman,  is so very happy with the current weather conditions.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....  A perfect white Christmas.


Frosty and I send Merry Christmas wishes to you!!!