Between Realities

For the March 2014 "Mid-ism" challenge in Daily Paintworks: the idea was to paint in the middle ground between Impressionism and Expressionism. In my mind, Impressionism rejected the artifice of the Academy to pursue a truth in visual representation of the "real" world and Expressionism rejects a reliance on representing the external world in order to pursue a truth in showing the internal one. 

My thoughts were of responding as simply as I could to what I saw, and allowing that response to be my own as much as possible. How close it comes to truth in either regard is perhaps not for me to judge!

Aloha!

On the path

A little exploring at the lake, and I found the perfect little spot with a picnic table nestled in the wood. I set up there with the squirrels chasing each other around the trees to keep me company. This painting was a real struggle, but I was a bit in love with it from the start, so of course I kept going and learned a lot in the doing. (But my toes are still cold!)

Aloha!

Lake Effects

When I first moved near the Great Lakes, I was puzzled by the term Lake Effect Snow. It seemed like a phrase from a Douglas Adams book. Then, I lived through many episodes of it, including the worst snowfall in 20 years. Aha! It means blizzard, really bad blizzard. 

I'm enjoying my current climate's Lake Effects much more. Those up there with the real deal...I feel for you guys. 

Aloha!

Follow link to purchase

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/melle-ferre/from-the-tower/332291

Shimmer

Today I rather inexplicably huddled in a sheltered area at the lake, hiding a little from the cold and damp, and worked on this from a sketch I did on a cold but sunny day. Then a fellow walked by and called out "Relaxing?"

And I realized at that moment, "Yes, exactly!"

Aloha!

On the Fast Track

Painted this for this week's Beside the Easel challenge on Daily Paintworks. The challenge made me realize two things: the first was that I wasn't feeling very inspired by my studio (a-change is gonna come) and that often it's a good thing to lighten up.

Aloha!

Typical romantic coconut painting

I just wanted to do a coconut painting...

And ended up setting up one of the more difficult still life paintings I've tried. It took another challenge to get my courage up to try to finish this from memory, which was all I needed really. It started and ended in joy, with a little frustration in the middle. Just growing pains...now I'm going to have to try another one!

Aloha!

Wabi Sabi Bowl

Kind of in love with my "new" bowl from the thrift store. Beautifully hand thrown and glazed. It has a sliver of handle missing on the far side. Reached for it immediately for the Daily Paintworks challenge to paint something in a bowl. No idea when that was originally posed! I'm working my way through a year's worth of weekly challenges!

Singing to watercolors "getting to know you...."

Aloha!

Paint the sky

Onward with challenges...Carol Marine posted a Paint the Sky challenge on Daily Paintworks for December 20, 2014. This sky was such a striking memory that I knew immediately I had my inspiration. Nice to be working with oils in my cozy studio after all my plein air adventures! 

Aloha!

I accidentally posted an in progress picture before. This is the final...

Challenge Final Day! Surf's up!

Today was all about fleeting moments at the lake. Early in the morning, everything was super soft and glowing in a bit of morning fog. I knew it would be burned off by the time I got back. Indeed by then, the sun was finally makiing an appearance. But I was so grateful for the warm boots and scarf and hat!! The wind was starting to stir! 

This is from the tower again; I've been taking liberties with the topography all week. Maybe if they make me artist-in-residence I will be less cavalier about it!

Later, after warming up at Jerrys Artarama, and a quick lunch, it was even wilder out there! The water was churning, and throwing up really fantastic sparkles when viewed from the shore. That's another drawing for later...Aloha!

Challenge Day 4 Bird's Eye View

Went back to the same lake as Day 1 but from a very different vantage point. Slightly to the East and from above! Was so captivated by the scene from a small tower that I will be sure to go back often. Today was like painting a face for the first time...so interesting and yet I know that the paintings will get better over time. Familiarity doesn't breed contempt at all, but beauty. Contempt comes from somewhere else entirely, and doesn't figure in this beautiful place at all.

Aloha!

Challenge Day 3-Richard Robinson

Ever have a day when you just cannot get warm?? Such it was...maybe that's why when I was looking for some inspiration in the studio, a reference photo from Richard Robinson caught my eye. If you want to see how others responded to his Simplifying A Scene challenge, and the reference photo, look in International Artist V 101, Feb/Mar 2015. I tried to incorporate several techniques and ideas from throughout the issue, so thanks to the magazine, I went from worn out by the day to excited about tomorrow!

Aloha!

Challenge Day 2 Kauai Constant

All this cold and gray has sent me back for some Island time, at least in my sketch book. Have been thinking about this scene for a month, so really enjoyed re-visiting it....

Here's to a little mental break...Aloha!

Follow this link to purchase or view other available art

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/melle-ferre/kauai-neighbor/332322

5 Day Challenge! Day 1

Please see my friend Azra's blog (see blogs I follow for the link)! I have been enjoying her art for some time, and she has graciously extended a 5 Day Challenge to me, which I will share with others as soon as I can figure out how! This is a real transition time for our family, and for me personally to be committing much more to art.

You can tell it's not Hawaii, right? Did a quick painting sketch (watercolors and watercolor pencils) at Crabtree Lake ....gray day, with lots of runoff heading into the lake to liven things up. So, see you tomorrow for Day 2 and Aloha!

Something New for a New Year!

A long overdue present for a very special world traveler. I did this in acrylic on an 8x10 panel. Really a new thing for me, painting an iconic structure like this, and really a challenge. Learned a lot and it kept me moving forward on the studio setup. Would love to visit the Taj Mahal someday!!

Here's to a wonderful New Year! Wishing you grand adventures, whether in your studio or out in the wide world!

Aloha!