Studio paintings VS Plein Air paintings

This large 24x48 panorama of the Rubies that I'm working on in the studio drove me into a frenzy to get outside to paint!  Impossible to get the same feeling in the studio.

 Thank goodness I had a gorgeous day to get outside to paint!! I am suffering with a bit of cabin fever despite the "glass hut"  I have to sit in. I really needed to see if I could breath more life into my colors and there is absolutely no substitute for first hand experience. After a few hours out my own front door and two paintings later I'm a very happy girl!  Can you "feel" the difference in the two paintings?  Now I'm ready to tackle the large piece again..... Hey, maybe I'll haul it outside to finish up! 

11x14    Oil - a challenge mixing the different shades of blue and still be warm.

Along the Banks

8x10 Oil on Linen

This is my lovely niece, Josey! budding artist and first experience at plein air painting.

  

My regular partner, Bailey.

 I had the pleasure of taking my niece out for her first experience in plein air painting, it was such fun and she had on the cutest hat!!  I gave her a smock first thing out of the bag, even though I think she was proud to call her new jeans, painting jeans now. She did great for her first time out and I hope we get to do it again.  I finished my painting back in the studio but had a good start despite the topple down the banks when the wind caught the easel - the paper towels we had to jump in the river to catch, but we were able to haul the wet mess home and laugh about it.

Hope your summer is going well, stay cool.
Kathryn

Painting Out

 I'm still painting out every single chance I get despite the wind and all of the daily tasks that seem to come up whether expected or unexpected. BEND!!!

Plein Air painting day

I also love to garden! and this year after a whole lot of hard work for the last few years I am able to get the organic vegetable gardens going  YAY fresh lettuce!

The lettuce garden

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week,
Kathryn

"Sunrise"  11x14 Palette Knife Oil on linen

"The Rock" 10x12 Plein Air Study 

HI - yes, I know it's been a little while! Here are a couple of current paintings, the top one is one I did during the 2nd Annual Art Walk here in downtown Elko. The painting is a scene from a favorite hiking place in Soldier Creek, a difficult hike but one that is well worth it. I used a palette knife on this piece and even let a few of the kids that came by try their hand at it - so much fun to watch their faces light up with excitement over getting to paint and I came away with a painting that I love.

The second painting is a study that I did over a week ago on a paint out and I had thought at the time that my colors were very dark and gaudy, but the painting has grown on me now that it has sat untouched in the studio. I can't wait to go back to this spot and try it again!

Thanks for visiting,
Kathryn

Maynard Dixon Painting attempt

The View

9x12 Oil

a photo of an article on Maynard Dixon

painting on the side of my studio with the view.

 I found an old article about Maynard Dixon and my first thought was to try to paint the Ruby Mountains with his style to see what happens. The scene of course is different but has all the same elements for color that I wanted to get.....I need a whole lot more practice, but dang is was fun to try it! 

Tomorrow is a New Day!  


Thanks for visiting.

One Little Aspen

Plein Air - 10x12 Oil on Linen

I have spent the last couple of days out taking advantage of the great weather while we have it. Today I was feeling a bit adventurous and went down a trail that I've often stopped and viewed from the road but it looks a little treacherous to get down next to the water. My dog and I decided to give it a go, and it was well worth the little slide from the roads edge, after that it was a gorgeous treat for both of us for a few hours.  I am pleased with today's painting.

Sure hope the weather holds out for a while longer, I'm enjoying getting out and training my pup and my eyes to trust what I see, plus I'm not ready to paint snow just yet!

Thanks for stopping by!