Painting January

The new year is off to a good start. I was able to find the time I'd hoped for painting this month.  It meant ignoring the piles of dishes in the sink and stacks of laundry and all the other chores calling me, and dedicate myself to some painting.

For a long time I've been thinking about water.  I love it.  I've taken many photos and back in the summer of 2012 I even tried painting it (Water...an update).  I wasn't very happy with my results then and maybe that's why it's taken me so long to try again.  This time, I enjoy the flow of the shapes and stuck to my vibrant colors.  I also let myself play more and I'm happier with the results.

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These styles are a little different for me.  But it's been fun to explore and let go of the idea that they have to be "good" when I'm done. 

These are all painted from memory and small sketches instead of reference photos.  Other than the abstract water painting, I've been drawing inspiration from what I see around me.

The idea for the snow storm painting came about when I was sitting in the lunch room at work watching the wind whipping snow in every direction.  I was just able to pick out the shapes of trees.  As I watched, I kept wondering how I would capture that image in paint.  How can I make someone feel snow and the wind?  And use a colors that are almost monochromatic?  I'm not sure that the wind comes through here, but the colors work for me.

"Lake Monona at Night" may be the first time I've actually painted buildings.  On the evening commute, I was struck by the layers of dark on dark.  Black sky, dark blocks of buildings, dark trees, and the deep darkness of the lake.  All blending together, yet each one distinct.  And balancing all the darkness is the string of headlights and the pure white glow of the capital dome.  It was a scene I looked forward to each night.

Here are a few more sketches that might turn into paintings one day.  A winter sunrise over Lake Monona and the shapes of buildings at the corner of State and Main.  What a great suggestion my sister gave me to start sketching out painting ideas.  It's led me to try some new things.