Seedbearer
Seedbearer 2I am having fun with this. Setting up these small still life paintings has been a good exercise for me, especially since the weather has been cold and rainy and I can't paint outside. Each one of the seed pods that I have collected is so unique. The light forms different shadows and the stems make interesting lines across the fabric. Comment on or Share this Article →
Seed Pods
I often take a morning walk in a nearby park. It is a great place for a run or walk with lots of trees and green grass. Earlier this year, I had painted one of the large trees that grows there.
Fall has come especially late this year even for Southern California. Only in the last few weeks have the leaves turned colors. Walking through the park, I came across a recently shed seed pod that had done it's job and expelled the seed into the soil. The remaining husk was a wonderful color so I squirreled it away in my jacket pocket to paint later.
I placed it on a black cloth and highlighted it with a spotlight. The inside glow was my reward. I love the sensual aspect of this little piece and thus called it "Seedbearer 1." I plan to do a series.
Somewhere in Time: Study
The second step of the Pitigliano street scene was to paint a color study. Since I had already worked out the perspective in the sketch, I concentrated on the colors and values in this small study. The reflected light was very strong on the buildings to the left, but the golden light at the end of the street was really the star. The street itself also had reflected light but needed to be quite dark to set off the rest of the painting. Next, I will paint this on a large canvas so keep posted.
Somewhere in Time: Sketch
Pencil Sketch
One of the many beautiful recurring themes in my photos from Italy are the old, narrow streets of the hill towns. Remembering my mission is to capture the "Luminous Light," I culled through my photos for the images I thought best represented this idea.
I decided on a scene from Pitigliano of a couple walking down a darkened street toward a sun-lite building. My first step was to do a black and white pencil sketch. Working out the perspective and angles of the buildings was a crucial, problem solving step. I had to adjust a number of things to make the scene work. In my first sketch, the people where too far into the street and too big, so I moved them closer to the foreground. Second, the angle of the row of buildings on the left was not correct and needed to be stepper. Last, I darkened the street so that the light hitting the far building really stood out.
Next step, a color study.
T'was Opening Night
Sharon with "Stairway to Heaven"
Windows at the Blinn House
T'was opening night, and all through The Blinn House, everyone was happy, even a mouse.
The paintings were hung in the rooms with great care, in hopes that a buyer soon would be there.
The artists were eager and flush with success, happy and feeling victorious.
With collectors, friends and family around, all viewing the artwork upstairs and down.
On California Art Club, who sponsored the show, on The Blinn House for making it so.
Too quickly the night comes to an end, but on memories we take we can always depend.
So thanks to the volunteer staff who gave of their time, and everyone else who made it divine.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Luminous Light
Mountain Lanscape with the Road to Naples by Jean-Charles-Joseph Remond
Study of Clouds with a Sunset near Rome by Simon Alexandre-Clement Denis
It is amazing how the things we need come to us. I needed a theme for my Italy paintings, to clarify my intent. I was mulling over what it was I wanted my paintings to say when a lecture at the Getty caught my attention.
The Getty Museum hosts different events that I have wanted to attend but never have, so I was excited to sit in on a lecture titled "Nature as It Is, or Ought to Be." The discussion revolved around many new acquisitions and the current exhibition "Sur le motif: Painting in Nature."
The paintings are small landscapes done in a new style, sur le motif or outside. These are the forerunners of the Impressionist who revolted against tradition and painted outside in nature. I was happy to hear that many of these early French outdoor painters were first inspired by the extraordinary lighting of Italy. The jewels of this exhibit have a luminous quality (see the photos) that show an almost spiritual view of nature. They took this influence home with them and infused it into their landscapes of the French countryside.
I realized I had my theme for my Italy painting. "The Luminous Light"
Wading In
In the Reserve
With my trip to Italy over, I have had the time but not the inclination to get out to paint. There are gifts to wrap, decorations to put up and dinners to plan.
I finally roused from the Holiday referee and left the house to paint with my friend Marian Fortunati. She suggested the Balboa Nature Reserve, where I had painted once before. It is a lovely little lake and bird refuge that is located in Balboa Park which in turn is in the middle of the San Fernando Valley.
Fall has come late this year and many of the trees are only now changing color so the surrounding paths were a combination of rust, gold and green vegetation. The lake in the reserve accommodates an even greater abundance of birds in the winter. Egrets, pelicans, ducks, storks and many more bird species make their home here. I picked a quiet spot among the reeds to paint. The birds cooperated, coming back to feed while I was painting.
Painting Italy
Potting Stand
Potting Stand
With all my travel news I have neglected my painting so here is a scene from the Appian Way in Italy. Although a simple setting, it has all the elements I love, wonderful light, texture and that human touch. The side door was barred by a potting table and plants. Perhaps the occupants would open the door and work on their plants, enjoying the view of the hills. The sun was low in the west and reflecting off the pillar to the right. The plants aglow. The subtle colors and texture of the building really set off the lush greens.
Italy: Last Day
Jeff and Sharon with Orvieto in the Background
The last day we drove back to Rome. It is hard to believe it was two weeks ago that we arrived. We took one last detour and stopped at Orvieto again to really take in all the sights of this wonderful city. There are many Etruscan ruins nearby and the museum is filled with the remnants of that ancient civilization.
The Italian pottery called Majolica, is displayed in many of the shops for the tourists. All hand made and hand painted, the patterns are unique to the area and have a history as old as the relics in the museums. We bought a few pieces to bring back with us to remember our trip.
As we said our goodbyes to Italy, the suns reflection off the gold Duomo was a dramatic contrast to the blue sky and white clouds. Ciao.
Italy: The Final Days
Fortezza Pienza at Montalcino
The trip was coming to an end and there were only a few days left. We set out for another hill fortress called Montalcino, with its Fortezza Pienza, the castle fortress that is nearly intact (see top photo). It is a sleepy town with charm and history.
Next was the Renaissance town of Pienza, often described as the "ideal city." Despite our best efforts to find a 10th century church called Pieve di Corsignano we failed until after we gave up. Leaving the town we stumbled upon it. With its circular bell tower and carved doors in the early evening light it made an eerie sight.
The next day we were off to San Gimignano to the northwest. Here the towers that once dotted many Tuscan towns still stand. Originally there were over 70 towers in the city but today only 14 have survived. Though lovely, the most interesting sight in San Gimignano is the frescoes of the Duomo, La Collegiata , in the main square. From the outside it is a very uninteresting church but the walls inside are a quilt of remarkable paintings. The graphic, horrific view of hell must have scared the local population to their souls.
Only one day left. OH NO!!!!
