Getting Ready for 2013

 My holiday travel is over and I'm getting ready to get back to work.  Earlier in the month I traveled home to Florida where I finished a teaching contract, delivered artwork to a gallery, finished consolidating the contents of two houses, rehearsed and sang a duet at my church, and spent some holiday time with my husband and family. It was  a busy two weeks! Now I'm ready to get the paints out again and get to work.

Usually, I work fairly large like this 30x40 of a spot close to my house. These larger paintings tend to take a while to execute especially if they're done entirely in the studio rather than plein air.

Sand Dunes and Fences -30x40 -oil on canvas
to purchase, contact Patina Art Gallery- 251 928 2718

 Lately I've been feeling the need to search for more in the process of painting. I can sense exactly what I'm looking for even if I can't quite articulate it. In addition to the larger pieces, I've started making smaller pieces so that the start to finish process happens faster and my eyes stay fresher.  More paintings means more freedom to try new palettes, different working methods and new ways of translating what I see and feel, into paint on the canvas.
To start the new year off, I'll be participating in a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. Watch this space every day in January for the results. It's going to be fun and for the perfectionist I am, it's going to be a challenge to step away from each painting at the end of the day. For any artists wanting to join in, here's the information. Happy painting!
 http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirty-paintings-in-thirty-days.html?m=1

Snow!

Is there anything more beautiful than the seasons? Each has it's own flavor. Each changes beautifully from week to week, every stage as interesting as the one before. My life has unexpectedly landed me up north this year and I'm looking forward  to the chance to paint snow. So, I'd though I'd share a few winter paintings I like.  

Claude Monet - The Magpie

I love this painting by Monet. It  perfectly captures the look of bright light on fresh snow. When I look into it, I can practically feel the sensation of breathing in crisp winter air. I like the way the violet shadows are echoed more softly in the roof top and trees. The color scheme is so simple yet so effective at  portraying the feel of a fresh snow on a winter day.

These two are by Alfred Sisley. The one on the left is one he painted several variations of. I like the heaviness of the snow and the closed in feeling of the sky still dark from the  storm. Look at the yellow in the sky and the way the blue greys and yellows are repeated throughout the sky, trees, walls and ground snow.

The one below has an entirely different feeling. It's still painted in shades of blue and yellow though the blue is a brighter greener blue. The scene is filled with sun and light and has a very open tranquil feeling compared to the hushed enclosed feeling of the other. 

This last one by Aldro Hibbard is only one of his many very beautiful snow scenes. I'd have a hard time picking my favorite among them. He was masterful at portraying the many moods of a winter day. Look at the different colors and temperatures of blue in the banks in the front. This painting has a beautiful quality to the light bouncing off the snow banks from the front to nearly the back of the painting, giving the painting total believability.