Landscape, fits and starts

no title

oil on canvas

24 x 36

This painting started as something different; eventually evolved to this.  It changed because I didn't like where it was going.  At all.  Unfortunately Fortunately I don't have the beginnings painting documented.  I was so frustrated with how the painting looked that I was going to put a coat of color over it and start fresh with an entirely new piece. 

Instead I took a lithography pencil, palette knife, cut up credit card, an oil pastel, an old stiff paint brush and started drawing and scratching into the painting.  Which felt very good.

I began to like what was happening.  Energy was entering the piece. 

I rode the coat-tails of that energy and kept painting, feeling right about the new direction.

In the end, I find myself looking at the painting often.  Enjoying the layers of color, the leftover scratches and pencil marks. 

Here is a close up which shows detail and the subsequent layering of color and texture that happened after I almost scrapped the painting.

Title ideas anyone?

Instant Gratification (what an artist does when she isn't painting)

This Fall I got an I Phone and I've been having fun with it ever since.  My kids have been a goldmine of information on how to use it along with introducing me to some interesting Apps.  Two photo Apps I'm currentl messing around with are Instagram and Photosynth.  All of the photos displayed here are modified using Instagram and some are taken first with Photsynth and then reworked in Instagram.  For those of you who aren't familiar with either of these apps; Photosynth takes multiple shots to create a panorama and Instagram is a little program which provides filters and some smudging tools to modify photos.  It also provides the square format seen here.

West Woods 

Instagram Photo

Wacky Photo

Photosynth modified with Instagram

Tree Heart

Instagram Photo

Larry

Instagram Photo

Fingers

Photosynth Photo

Windowsill

Photosynth Photo modified with Instagram

Wacky Feet

Photsynth Photo modified with Instagram

Good Night Moon

Instagram Photo

Equine Pair

Instagram Photo

Table Top

Photosynth Photo modified with Instagram

When I take the Photosynth Photos, I don't take them the way they're supposed to be taken.  Normally, as the camera pans across the view, the camera clicks in succession thus taking a panoramic, 3-d picture.  I move the camera up, down, sideways, anywhich way, overlap...so I can get strange accidents.  Then through Instagram I zoom in on an interesting composition and continue from there using Instagram filters.

Who'd a thought an I phone could be so much fun?

By the way, If you have a smart phone and download either of these apps, they're free!  Plus you can follow me on Instagram...and I can follow you.  Fun : ))