Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Winter weariness - Days 91 - 94

 This week continues to bring a  little sun, a little cold and a little rain. On day 91, we had another heavy frost. I would be lying if I said I love every minute of winter and can't wait to go out and study it in the cold...one...more...time. BUT as weary as I get with winter around this time of year (and yes I know we are only about halfway through), I never get tired of the way a heavy frost crystalizes the world around me. The time between sunrise and the frost melt is very short, so despite the cold, when I get the time to study it, I don't miss it.  This painting helped me study all the color changes on the frost as the early morning shadows pull back across the pasture.



The temperature warmed slightly on Friday, Day 92. We have a huge farm headquarters just up the road, but what I love about it most, is some of the old original buildings just across the highway from the new buildings. From the silo, to the red shipping containers to the John Deere green equipment, this little cluster of farm life does not disappoint.



Saturday, Day 93, brought a nasty, windy, cold rain - not very inspirational.  There was some interest in the clouds, so that, added with the cool greens in the cedar trees, gave me a little subject matter to work with from my studio window. Of course the broom sage seems intent on putting on a show no matter the weather! 


Monday morning, Day 94, brought back the sun and the cold (28 degrees during this painting!) . Looking for anything to break up the monotonous "dormant winter colors",  I chose another group of cedar trees. I was actually drawn to the deep blue shadow across the frost to the right of the trees.  Delta Magazine is featuring my journey in their March/ April issue and they had sent my friend Jason Williams out to do some photography of me working. Luckily we did have the sun to help warm things up a bit, but  I also think it is safe to say we probably both suffered a little for our art this morning!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Sun Returns, Days 86 - 90

 Day 86, brought back not only some wonderful sunshine, but also some warmer temperatures. I was able to get out early and study the early morning sunlight. Studying the cast shadows is something I can never spend too much time on, because they are never captured correctly in a photograph. Was glad to have such a beautiful morning to enjoy.

Sunday, Day 87, had a few clouds roll in but the temperature was a balmy 65 degrees! I loaded my backpack and trekked across the highway to a small pasture. I really like the way the cattle gap opening gives a great lead in to the pasture behind. Oh and those cast shadows across the grass!!

The warm day on Sunday was followed by a steady rain through out the night; close to 3 inches! The backyard along with just about everything else was pretty much flooded. Funny how a little water can completely change a scene you walk through everyday.  Just like cast shadows, I am equally fascinated by puddles, so of course on Day 88, that's what I chose to study.



Tuesday, Day 89, was a full day of classes and meetings at the CARE building. I managed to grab about thirty minutes during lunch and so I did a quick study of the Subway across the street. 

I don't study structures as much as I would like because they usually require more time than I allow myself in these studies. I realize though the only way to get comfortable with them, is to do more of them. 


We don't get much snow in Mississippi, but we an get some amazingly beautiful, heavy frosts.  This morning, Day 90, offered one of those early morning frosts. There was so much in the air that  even the cedar trees looked flocked. The whole  world seems to have a cool iciness  to it and it is VERY short lived. I set my easel up as fast as I could and was lucky enough to study  before it all melted away.




Monday, January 22, 2018

Snow Round 2 - Days 82 - 85

We did not get the predicted 2 - 4 inches of snow, but here in the South, any snow is a big snow. After all was said and done, we ended up with about and inch and very bitter cold temps. So on Day 82 I plied on about 4 layers of clothes and headed out to paint the path behind the barn. It is interesting how when I am really excited about what I am painting, I don't notice how cold the temperatures are.






On Day 83, there was still enough snow on the ground to be lit by the sunshine and with the high temperature only reaching the mid twenties, the snow was unlikely to go anywhere. I was able to study the sunlight and shadows on the snow and this is one thing I wanted to study SO bad. It was just not the same trying to capture it though the window so I bundled up again and went out to work on site. The cool blues and purples in the shadows against the the mounds catching the late afternoon sun were spectacular!  It was well worth getting out in it in the end.

On Day 84 I woke up to an absolutely beautiful morning. A heavy frost had joined  the few remaining remnants of snow and the early morning sunrise had everything washed in soft pastels. I was able to capture the colors and feelings of the morning before I rushed Abbi to school. Luckily, her first period teacher is one of my collectors!


On Day 85, the snow was gone, the sky was grey and the wind was cold. The temperatures were actually a bit warmer, but all the other factors involved made the day feel cold and uninspiring. I made myself get out anyway and the result was a not so great painting. Everyone has those days and not every day will be a winner. Luckily there is always tomorrow!




Monday, January 15, 2018

A Little Sun, A Little Snow..... Days 78 - 81

Thursday, Day 78, started off with some incredible cloud formations that hinted to a predicted winter storm. The day was actually unseasonably warm with temperatures creeping into the 60s. Hard to believe the temperatures will not be rising out of the 20s tomorrow. Welcome to Mississippi. Anyway, the clouds were magnificent.

Friday, we did see a little of the white stuff. Not exactly the big fluffy mounds I wanted to study, but a little dusting none the less.  You have to make the most of what you have, so I huddled next to the carport to get a view of the coated dirt in the pasture. I read once that you have to be in the snow to capture the true feel of the snow. Not sure about that, but I know you can freeze your tail off whether you capture it or not!


That being said, I wanted to study as much of the snow cover as I could, so after lunch I took a drive into the delta where the snow had a little more coverage on the dirt fields. It was cold, dreary and grey, but it was also incredibly beautiful.   Day 79 (Part 1 & 2)




Day 80 brought some sunshine back to the farm. Luckily there was a little snow left here and there on the ground. Sunlight on snow is just breathtaking and not something a Southern artist gets to study very often. Snow can even make this dirt heap a thing of beauty.

Day 81 starts the cycle all over again. Warmer, sunny, day with an impending winter storm. This time they are teasing us with 2 - 4 inches of nothing but snow. I chose to paint the path at the back of the farm leading to the deer stand. I love the way the light hits the top of the dried goldenrods and the dormant trees.  Tomorrows forecast remains to be seen, but for now I'm enjoying the sunshine.  Like I said in the beginning, welcome to Mississippi!                

Thursday, January 11, 2018

One day of sun and then grey, to rain, to fog, to........Days 74 to 77

 We had an absolutely gorgeous Saturday in Mississippi. There is an antebellum home about 3 miles from our home and I had been wanting to get out and paint it from this distant view. So on Day 74, I headed out late morning, thankful to have the whole day to do nothing but paint. I was able to not only do a study of the house, but start a larger painting also on location.  I think my favorite part of both paintings, wound up being the field in the foreground!

After spending hours painting on Saturday, I took Sunday off and spent some time just observing.

Monday, Day 75,  brought flooding rains, but I gathered with several of my plein air and Oxford Art Guild  friends to paint in Oxford. We are fortunate enough to have the upstairs loft of Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall to use as a gallery and with that loft comes a covered balcony. Like I said it was POURING rain, but luckily it wasn't too cold and a great day to study the grey that this kind of rain brings. It is a busy, busy scene - wet pavement, cars constantly moving and multiple buildings in the background. I focused on Oby's Restaurant which in the main building in the scene and worked on keeping things simple. It was tough, but I know the only way to grow is to push.

Tuesday, Day 76, continued with the drizzle. Painting time was limited due to new classes starting; painting from my carport, window or barn was about the only options available. I try to save the window for times when it is just too cold to go outside, so I chose the carport and studied wet gravel and mud puddles. What a great way to keep me from making "pretty little paintings".  I actually kind of liked the abstract design of this...kind of.



Wednesday, Day 77, turned out to be extremely foggy, but also extremely warm for this time of year. I took time before class to study this little group of trees. I was drawn to the vine that was covering the bushes on the ground as well as a couple of trees. In all the bleak of winter, it was nice to see this little vine flecked with different soft shades of green.

The grey days have continued most of the week and I am not looking for the colder days that are predicted for the coming day. There is one thing that could make the cold a little more bearable. The weather is forecasting the possibility of a little "white stuff".  Now I understand that in Mississippi, we lose our minds at the mention of anything frozen, but oh how I would love to paint snow!


Saturday, January 6, 2018

COLD......Days 70 Through 73

This week the South stayed frozen, I mean really frozen! The majority of the week had temperatures never climbing above freezing. I am fortunate to have great views from my windows that allow for painting, but that does get stagnant over time.

Despite the cold I did manage to get out side. On Tuesday, I juggled several hats, from decorating  the CARE gallery for this weekend's upcoming show, to meeting with a client about a commission piece. I was pressed for time to get a chance to paint.  The sunset was looking to be moody, but beautiful, but I truly felt I was going to miss it. With the help of my sweet husband, I was able to get set up and ready to go just as the sun was setting. Sunsets are great at teaching speed, but I am learning more and more they are also great at teaching patience. It you just wait on them, before they end, they only get better. I am not good at waiting, so I am actually thankful for what I thought was a missed opportunity, but instead caused me to get the good stuff!  Day 70

Wednesday brought back the beginning of the second semester of school and spring semester of art classes at North Delta. I knew I would be in class at the end of the day and so the best light to study would be morning. I packed my gear in my car, so I could look for a location after I dropped Abbi off at school. It was 12 degrees and no way I would be able to do anything more than paint from the inside of my car. This project has helped me get comfortable with the uncomfortable and painting in ones car is NOT comfortable! I did however find this little creek which allowed me to study water. I spent about 45 minutes on the painting and another 30 wiping all of the paint off of the inside of my car! Day 71

I am so blessed to live in an area where there is painting subject matter everywhere you look. I rode around this afternoon looking for inspiration and finally settled on our neighbors old barn. It was around 4:00pm, the light was getting low and I loved the way it was hitting the front of the barn. I had planned to paint from my car (It was around 25 degrees) but I stepped out for a minute and decided it wasn't that bad. I was SO wrong! About halfway into the painting I was freezing, but the light was so dynamic that I just couldn't stop so I kept at it. I think it was worth it in the end (although two days later the tips of my fingers still feel burned!).  I really am pleased with this one. It may develop into a larger painting at some point. Day 72


Big art show opening tonight and so the first signs of light were going to be my only opportunity, but oh what a great time to paint! The soft light of the sunrise as it pulls across the Mississippi Delta is so lovely. There was a heavy freeze with a light frost and yes I enjoyed all of this from the quiet stillness of my studio window, cup of coffee in hand - no outside this morning! If it were not for the dedication that this project requires I would miss moments like this. Enjoying the beauty of the moment is a New Year's Resolution that I think everyone should make. Day 73



Monday, January 1, 2018

New Year - Fresh Starts


The temperatures today in Mississippi were definitely not normal for the deep south. The temperature barely rose above 25 degrees and the wind chill stayed in the single digits. I debated painting from my studio window and also from my car, but after turning horses out in the pasture, I realized it was actually a beautiful day and if you were behind a wind block, not quite as cold as one would expect.

I love the way light plays on this little shed on our farm. Early afternoon offered some interesting light, so I packed my easel and out I went. Was it chilly? Yep! Was it worth it? Absolutely! Best way I know to start off the new year.

I am looking forward to all I hope to learn in the upcoming year. This is day 69 of my journey and I think I get more excited about painting everyday.

Happy New Year everyone! May it be filled with blessings and the courage to chase your dreams.