All About Color

Estelle Howard was an inspiration to me last week in Lamesa.  She painted on watercolor canvas for the first time and her painting was exceptional....this is no surprise for those who know Estelle.  She is 93 and continues to paint in oil/watercolor and anything else that comes her way.  From her photograph of an open air art exhibit, she maintained fresh colors flowing into one another. When the canvas was dry a sketch of the subject was introduced with dark lines using a script brush.  As I previously mentioned my camera remained out of sight and unfortunately I can not share her painting and the paintings of those who participated.

We all have photographs or sketches books laying around without plans....stacks of organized photos waiting for me to go through...thinking 'not sure what I want to do with this'...I tend to put those in a stack of 'maybes'.  The photograph below came to mind instantly when Estelle began painting on her canvas..

 As I drove home that day....the image of my photo was rehearsed a million times.  As the tires screeched into my drive and a quick hello to my husband, I was in the studio looking for the photo.  The painting below is all about color....green trees became festive fall yellows and reds. The buildings at the left of the photo where boring and unimportant so more tree color and shapes gave a nice backdrop to the tents.  The painting is  16x20 on Yes watercolor canvas with a warm dominance.  Colors of cool and warm mingle to make their own neutrals.  After it was dry a rigger brush loaded with a dark value is used to sketch my subject.....thoroughly enjoyed this paint time....simplified without the fuss....

  

Lamesa Class

Everyone was ready for line painting in Lamesa...unfortunately I forgot to remove my camera from my bag, DUH!! thus don't have photos of the finished paintings that were critiqued at the end of the class...Everyone did exceptional work from their sketches and drawings.  Below are two quarter sheets of my demonstrations which paled in comparison with the quality of work  produced.  My hats off  to the eight of you who took the challenge.....

Color passages of warm and cool mixing together dominate the painting.  A flat bush doubled loaded with a cool and warm indicate figures under the tent.  When this wash of clean colors is dry a rigger brush with a dark value is used to redefine the original sketch.....done!!

Coleman, TX

What a fun time judging Coleman's Fine Arts League membership show.  Artist residing in small or large communities  have the same goals....enjoying every stolen moment to create as if it were a first time experience.  Bill Shields, the Leagues President, drove me to their newest venture or venue, a combination of old and new. The First Presbyterian Church now houses the Coleman Museum and the Leagues Art Gallery.  Members of the League have  a great facility to conduct workshops/exhibits and a great meeting place.   Hard work and elbow grease showed the minute I walked in the gallery.  If you go to or through Coleman make sure you stop to see the beautiful art and browse the Heritage Hall Coleman Museum....thank all of you for making me feel at home and sharing your talents.