This week I painted a semi plein air, semi studio piece. It’s
called Tyrone Thunder.
Now before anybody gets their tidy whiteys, in a knot
because this is a plein air site, get over it! I am still getting over that
dratted sinus and bronchial infection, and painting out in the rain does not
figure in the recuperation scheme. I’d love to be out painting in it, and it is
coming soon. But in all honesty, the weather here has been so very changeable,
that you can be comfortable one minute and the intense, falling rain can be
threatening to take the feet out from under you in the form of a gully washer
in a heartbeat. We drove home yesterday from Las Cruces in one of the most
intense storms I have ever been in. Even the semis brought their speed down to
under 40 mph on the Interstate, the better to not run over someone they could
not see, or to avoid hydroplaning off the road! I got pictures of water
coursing through rivers and gullies that I have never seen water in! I am
already dreaming about future paintings. And the mountains were being courted
by a bevy of clouds caressing their inclines.
This piece is one that started as I was looking out my
dining room window. The thunderstorms have been truly dramatic this monsoon
season. They usually really get going in the late afternoon, or early evening, when the sun is
starting to set. So the skies and the light can set up an unbelievable drama. I
did push the pink in the sky for effect, but the darkness of the clouds, at that
time can foretell the darkness of the oncoming night. No moon here lately, the
clouds see to that.
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| "Tyrone Thunder" 20x20 oil - Available |
Some paintings seem to paint themselves. This was one like
that. The concept for it was so strong, looking out my dining room window at
the mine, that I knew what where and how intuitively… I also knew immediately
when it was done. I didn’t want to piddle it to death with detail it didn’t
need. While painting, I reflected on how very much that mine has grown since we
have moved here. You could barely see the Tyrone mine three years ago from our
house. You had to hunt it down. I actually love the different colors that the
overburden has in different light. This view beats the heck out of a fenced in
Southern CA view as I look out my window.
Favorite quote of the day:
The artist that paints every
tiny little detail is an artist with nothing better to do. (Sam Adoquei)
One of your best! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I consider looking out of the window the same as plein air. No different from when I have to resort to sitting in the car to paint because of weather conditions. It is the act of seeing the real deal rather than painting from a photo source - same as setting up a still life in the studio- which makes it more authentic... but not necessarily a better painting.