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| Seasons Change 18" x 18" acrylic on canvas |
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| Deep Forest Privacy 18" x 18" Acrylic on canvas |
The first piece was completed at the end of October and the second piece was completed just today. Both pieces reflect different experiences I had while hiking. I used the colors that I remembered from those hikes as inspiration for the two pieces shown.
While walking around Big Trees State Park here in Arnold, I was struck by the different colors of the dogwood tree leaves: oranges, muted rusts, browns, pinks, and creams. The idea of being surrounded by those colors translated itself into the first painting seen above.
The second piece was inspired by a hike I took on the Arnold Rim Trail, just a short drive from where we live. The landscape there consists of low lying green bushes and other small plants, oak and pine trees, and lots of red and brown dirt. The trail can feel very closed as you are walking, with only little slivers of the blue sky visible. The close growing trees create lots of shade which is a welcome relief from the heat during the summer. As you move up the hillsides, the landscape opens up and the number of trees decrease, giving way to a wonderful vista of blue sky and distant mountains.
While I am definitely inspired by a specific landscape, I also admit that sometimes while working I am just thinking about the landscape in a general way. The colors might not be from a particular outing but just a mish-mash of various ideas that are brought together to form one idea (hopefully).
This week I hope to work on some ideas that will lead to a painting or two. I really do need the hiking, the out-and-about times, and the reading to keep things flowing, creatively. So, it might just be a "digging into things" kind of week.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby
Libby, I am really enjoying the different sizes of each color and the way they sort of weave through the surface in an irregular way. As a hiker, this feels like how I might experience steps on a path, especially if I am not looking down to watch my step and it causes me to wobble a little...the balance between appreciating the landscape and not falling over a root or a rock! I also really appreciated your comment about how there were initially close growing trees, allowing only small glimpses of sky, which eventually opened up to the vista view. You are sure "onto" something with these!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol! I certainly hope I have found a way of working that will allow me to, well, continue working! Tying the landscape together with the irregular grid and colors makes a lot of sense to me. And thank you for your observations on what you experience while hiking. watch your step!
DeleteLibby
Libby - it is amazing how you bring your experiences with nature to the canvas. In looking at the above pieces - I see the representation of the sky and green hills as well as autumn colors. Will be looking forward to seeing what you will be creating next. Take care friend and have a lovely week. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Debbie, for your thoughtful observations. I am glad you see the landscape through the colors. It's just what I intended!
DeleteI hope your week has gotten off to a good start. Thank you as always for your visit.
Libby
I really like these two pieces, Libby. Just like the landscape which inspired them, they have movement created by your skillful placement of each shape and color. This shows a wonderful and creative growth from your original grid pieces.
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie! I do hope that these are a good offshoot of my use of the grid. I sure love that grid but really want to break it apart somehow. I'll continue to work on the idea and of course, to work on color, shape, and proportion. It's always a surprise to me what comes out:)
DeleteHope you are doing well. Our weather has turned chilly but if you can believe it, there has still been some fire activity. Amazing.
Libby