I'm working on a large painting: 24x24
I want to start working larger. This is a square format revision of a painting I have been working on for a long time. It is for a local professional and because I was given an open ended request for a painting and I want it to be GREAT, I've "psyched myself out" and have been having major trouble sticking to it through completion. Recently I came upon this nice 24 x 24 canvas, grabbed it and said, I think I'll try the painting for Cxxxxx on this.... and off I went.

Day one was fresh and charming with color and strokes. Later review told me I needed to bring the tree line down and alter the ground shape which was looking very round! The mid bank of trees needed to be smaller since I want to show the power of the larger trees on the left.

Day one: block in shapes

Lighting on the second photo compromises the color. I also don't see that much difference here in the shape of the ground, but in person it's much better; no more feeling that the ground is goofy. I took out a little tree for now, but will add it back in later... now the cluster of small tres looks wrong, and there will be more little trees in the front on the right side too. This is up on Rollins (or Corona) Pass and looks back toward Winter Park Ski Resort...there are ski runs in the distant mountain that I may or may not paint in later.

It's all an experiment, so I'm taking that attitude and will see where it all goes.

Day two: adjust placement of shapes

Cold and miserable day of painting!

Some of us in the local Art Out of Thin Air group met at the Rendezvous development's pond and tent yesterday to paint and create. It was supposed to be an activity for residents and the public who were attending the Parade of Homes. Very little activity. But Rendezvous gave each of the artists who participated a goodie bag that included a pound of their specially roasted coffee and a mug! This was my 6"x8" painting.

This study of "The River Camp" was done yesterday. Bob and I were invited by friends to camp out at a private river camp owned by a local development Saturday night. It was nearby and the promise of real beds was hard to resist. I thought it might be an irresistable beauty..... but not so. Many dead lodge pole pines dotted the property. The fishermen were happy to dabble in the river. I dared to take my guitar and after a few drinks (in everyone!) pulled it out for a few tunes before dinner.

BTW, it may look like I've been on a long vacation, but actually I just needed a break from the computer after working so intensly on our local art group's Member Show that was up through most of the month of July. The show was a huge success! I'll post more on that soon.

Bob and I are on a road trip to soggy Michigan.... can't wait to get back to CO where the sun shines and the sky is BLUE! Anxious to paint!

I think it's done. Did I get the light right this time?

This was in the Robert Genn BiWeekly email Newsletter that came this morning. I found my stomach twisting and my blood pressure rising! What do YOU think?

Yesterday, Colorado painter Tom Lockhart wrote, "I work 50 to 65 hours per week, teach workshops and serve on the Board of a Local Arts Center. I judge art shows and travel to locations to paint. I earn $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 annually--too much to get a grant. I pay more than my share of taxes, expense out what the law allows and still find it difficult to make ends meet. I'm constantly paying entry fees, dues, advertising, framers, suppliers and travel expenses. I can't understand why the public insists on buying cheap, crappy art from poorly educated artists who suffer for their craft. Yuk! There are constantly retired lawyers, doctors, architects, dentists and other professionals who decide to become painters. They put their work in galleries and sell to the unsophisticated, taking sales away from deserving, serious artists. And now with the economic bad times, it's even harder to sell your art. What do you think about this?"

So, I worked on this one again. I know it's not there yet. I'm posting it to compare with the previous version which has been painted over. Two of you caught problems with the light source. Thanks! I'm still struggling with the trunks... but, BOY! did I have fun just digging in there with the dark background color and making some of them disappear! Making them bend was fun, too! Makes me feel like a sculptor ... and takes pressure off of being concerned about the brush stroke.

What do YOU think?