New Large Seascape

Here's a shot of a large painting I recently finished from my oceanscape series. I am a little in love with this one and might have to keep it (is that not something I should be admitting?!)

"Float Out", oil on canvas, 36x36"

The Minkies

You might remember this painting that I posted here a couple of months ago. It has been sitting in my studio unfinished ever since while I tried to figure out what was wrong with it. I knew the colours weren't right and it was way too busy but I didn't quite know how to fix it. Finally, last week inspiration hit I put it back on the easel. Toning down the blues and yellows as well as blocking out some of the busier sections seems to have restored some balance to it. I'll probably end up changing my mind and reworking it again in a few weeks but for now at least it feels finished.

"Sand Bar, Les Minquiers" oil on canvas, 36x36"

Back To Routine

"Sand Bar, Les Minquiers" oil on canvas,  36x36

I think I've finally found my groove, about time too, I was starting to think I'd lost it completely. This week I've been working on finishing this large seascape which is inspired by an amazing day trip I took last summer to Les Minquiers or "The Minkies" off the coast of Jersey. I am pretty pleased with it, I am just not sure if the sky needs some more work so I have resolved to let it dry and come back to it in a week or so.

Next up is some small florals to replace sold work at Jane Packer Florist, New York. It will be nice to be forced to paint a completely different subject for a little while.

Tanneries

I'm keeping going with the Moroccan tannery painting as I'm in the flow of it now.  As always it's tending to lean to realism slightly more than I had planned and I have to keep reminding myself not to paint too tightly and in so much detail.  I am in love with the colours though and because it is 3 feet square I think it is going to have real impact.  Can't wait to finish it.

Change of Scene

After a disastrous day yesterday I thought I'd take a break from flowers and started a completely new painting as part of my Moroccan series.  I was so inspired by this scene as there is so much interest and colour to entertain the eye.  I remember standing at the edge of the tanneries and being given eucalyptus to hold against our noses to stifle the smell of animal carcases in the heat... It didn't work very well and we politely refused the offer of yet another mint tea as the need to escape the smell was too great! I love how this this painting is developing with the bright pops of colours in the dye vats but I need to remember to complete the under painting before I get carried away with too much detail.