The good news this morning is that I can’t think of a single 19th century work of fiction that featured eye-rolling. Some that caused it, but none that feature it. Tomorrow is the opening of the little Christmas art show at the Rio Grande County Museum and I’m both dreading and looking forward to it. Yesterday I did some work on the large crane painting and I’m not sure at all how that painting is going. It’s an exploration, an adventure in a small sense. It’s a strange thing to be attempting to paint mystery, solitude and magic, all pretty abstract, but they were part of the moment last spring that led to the painting I’m working on now.
This is how I left it yesterday. I’ve begun painting the small trees and I’m using metallic silver oil paint. This morning I got a sense of how it will be. The paint — though not dry — was somewhat more settled and the morning light hit it at an angle.
Back in the 90s I was in Laguna Beach with a friend and saw the work of a Russian artist, an emigré, who painted large beautiful paintings that gave the effect of being icons. One of the reasons was he used metallic paint. I loved his work. I’ve used gold metallic paint (made with bronze particles) in a few paintings. I like it. It does its job really well.
In my imagination, this scene with the crane needed silver paint because it would kind of disappear depending on the light. I don’t know if it’s going to work that way, but it’s fun finding out. The thing about cranes is now you see them, now you don’t.
Bear and I took a walk yesterday and there are far fewer cranes than there have been. It’s OK. They have to go down to New Mexico for Christmas. I’ll miss them, but as I wasn’t walking out at the Refuge last winter, this will be the fourth season of discovery for me out there. I imagine it will be a Rogers and Hammerstein experience with the wind whipping down the plains… The cranes will be back in early March.
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/rdp-friday-eyerolling/
I don’t think I was ever accused of eye-rolling as a child. Now it is everywhere. All the nieces and nephews with kids are constantly admonishing them for the eye roll. The painting is looking beautiful and mystical – a foggy landscape… I’m sure that you have more to do but it is taking shape nicely. Will you be posting a few photos of the opening??
I will post about the opening. I’m looking forward to seeing friends I haven’ seen in a year but also dreading being in “public.” I guess that’s the moment we live in.
It’s shaping up to be a lovely painting! Enjoy your new season of exploration!
thank you! ❤
it’s looking beautiful so far –
Thank you! fingers crossed I don’t fuck it up. 😀
you won’t
❤
I love the subtlety of your painting, the bill and red patch bring it to life. I’d love to see it from in front, it’s hard to judge with the light on it. It’s going to look great.
From the front, you don’t really see any change in the painting, but as I work, I’ll post more shots. It’s an interesting challenge working on something that’s essentially monochromatic, but it’s a kind of beauty I’ve learned to see here in the winter.
Reminds me of Japanese wood block art (hope that’s OK)
That’s very cool. 🙂 I love them.
😊
Metallic paint? Very good news indeed. I got to get some. 😀
I do like it. I’m sorry I won’t be able to see your show in person. Travel is just not a good idea this year. Hope it is fabulous (the pic you posted of your room at the exhibition looked great)
Travel is definitely not a good idea this year. It really is the thought that counts ❤ Anyway, I'll post pictures of the show.
excellent!
I love it 🏗 and the silver metallic pulls off what you intended~and sets a great winter mood. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow! Good luck! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you ❤
❣️ you’re welcome 🤗
Love the way your painting is coming along!
Thank you. I love working on it. I can’t hurry and there’s not much variety in those lines of willow so it’s kind of meditative. 🙂
I love the idea of the silver paint in the light…
I think there was some eye rolling in Pride and Prejudice. I couldn’t love that book for some reason. But I do love your crane. Some shimmer should suit it nicely.
Thank you! I am really enjoying painting it. It’s a really cool thing standing up to paint something that’s standing up, too. I’ve always had to hunch over a table. Still standing up to paint, but not as easily and freely as this. I love my easel.
Loving this painting so far! Good luck today, I’m sure it will be grand!!
Thank you! Really the biggest problem is what should I wear. 🙂
Oh Martha! They won’t be able to take their eyes off your paintings, you could wear a paper bag and they wouldn’t notice!!
Good luck with your show.
I love the linear feeling of the shrubs/trees in your painting, and then the brilliantly colored bird breaking up the lines, along with graceful swoop of grey. Very cool!
Thank you! 🙂
The painting is beautiful! I hope the art show went well today. Fingers crossed. 🙂
It was wonderful. I’ll write about it tomorrow. 🙂
That’s great news 🙂