A Dispatch from the Bubble

My husband and I set out a year or so ago to simplify our lives and to create - as we call it - "the Bubble". This is the place (both geographical and internal) where we can do what we do in a simple, purposeful way. For me, that means painting and trying to mine the vein of visual ideas that the landscape suggests to me. I have talked a little about this here.

Writing this blog has become an unexpected part of the Bubble for me. In addition to the opportunity to connect with other artists all over the world, the small paintings I have produced and posted here became the seeds of ideas for larger works and even series of paintings. Because I was doing many of these little paintings rather than just a few larger ones, I was able to develop the ideas more quickly and also to adjust the technical changes that were occurring in my work more quickly. The change in my working process from direct painting to using indirect traditional methods like glazing also contributed to this- making it necessary to have several pieces going at once, rather than the simple start and finish approach I have always used before.

So what I am posting here are two beginnings - lay ins which are done in the manner I talked about here - of a series of 10-12 larger paintings now in progress. These are all based on the same visual idea, the seed of which is the small Rick's Pool paintings I posted over the last several months. Here in the Bubble we find this to be fascinating stuff, but I realize it may be less than compelling to you out there in the world. On the other hand, all artists I know have a pretty intense inner life going, so hopefully you'll forgive this little navel gazing glimpse into mine.

A rift in the time/space continuum of the Bubble occurs this weekend when we travel to Canyon, Texas for the opening of the Panhandle Plains Museum Invitational on Saturday. I have talked about the Museum and this show here, and am looking forward to the road trip, seeing the Museum again, and visiting with artist friends I know who will be there.

Winter Greys #4

Winter Grey's #4 oil 6 x 6
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This is the last of the Winter Greys series I think. I actually painted this back in December on one of those spectacular foggy winter days, but forgot to post it. Today it was 70 and spring does in fact seem near. I am working on some larger pieces for shows and galleries which is at least one of the reasons posting has been more sporadic. I'll post some work in progress if nothing else later this week.

After The Rain

After the Rain oil 6 x 6
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Well, the flirtation ended abruptly. The last few days have been cold, windy, rainy-decidedly unspring-like. I don't really mind- I love the winter color harmonies and I'm not sure I'm ready for green 24/7.

Clear Creek Evening

Clear Creek Evening oil 6 x 5
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Yesterday was another delightful day- Spring seductively wafting through the air. Then last evening I could swear I heard the hum of insects, may be even a cricket or two. It couldn't be, could it? I mean, it is February, isn't it?

Bogata Barns

Bogata Barns 6 x 5 oil
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Today was a beautiful sunny day with mild temperatures. It felt and even smelled different. And then at sunset I noticed that the sun had moved a little to the north. Is winter over? I doubt it, but Spring sent out a scout today.

Winter Crows

Winter Crows Oil 6 x 6
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We have some crows that hang out on our property. I love watching birds but I am not a big fan of crows. They do make a lot of racket but what I really don't like is that they raid other birds' nests. Last summer I watched from my studio window as a pair of them took on a snake -they won. But, I must admit they make an elegant, albeit slightly sinister, accent in the winter landscape.

Winter Field

Winter Field- 12 x 12 oil
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Some of you may recognize this painting- a small version of this was posted a few weeks ago. I liked it and decided to try to size it up to use for the Panhandle Plains Museum show. I wasn't sure if I could recreate the texture in the field with the dry brush technique I mentioned in the previous post. I made a few changes but overall I think it worked out well.

I also got some good news late yesterday! I had two paintings accepted into the prestigious Salon International show at Greenhouse Gallery.