Bending Into Fall

I am still pondering this painting. It is a fall, sort of blustery scene and yet the model seems peaceful and at ease with the falling of the leaves and the crisp air.
I may make a few adjustments but essentially this one is finished and I am very content with how the tree reflects the pose, without looking forced or contrived.
The model has willowy, graceful arms and hands and the tree responded to that almost like they were having a conversation.

Trees

Trees seem to be coming up again on my current calendar painting.
Fantasy trees are more fun to paint then attempting to duplicate a "real" tree and at the same time "real" trees have so much information to give us as to what they are all about.
Fall crept into this painting with the fallen leaves and  bareness yet beauty of this tree. Trees, I think are sometimes even more beautiful in their nakedness... their form shines through and we see something deeply personal.

An Awesome Experience at the Unclad ART Show

On Saturday I drove to Stanwood with a friend to attend the opening day of the Unclad Art Show... Fine Art of the Figure. It was an amazing time for me. My painting was displayed in with a cluster of other small paintings, where it seemed to fit nicely. I still could not believe my painting had actually made it into the show and here I was one of the "artists". They gave me a little name tag to wear which designated me as a participant in the show... it was a little surreal.
The interesting thing about this show is that everyone gets really excited about it!!! It is very unique and so there is sort of a bonding of people who have made the show happen as well as those interested in it. I wish I had taken some pics... maybe when I go down again, the last day of the show I will take my camera.
Also, I ended up purchasing a piece from the show. It is art photography by Michael Seif. He does a lot of work with beautiful nude bodies swimming underwater. It is lovely and it is a conversation piece.

www.uncladart.com

This piece entitled "Spring" will be showing in the members show at Allied Arts this month.

Clean and clear....

Above you can see what my palette looks like after the last refinements of my latest painting.
When I have finished a painting it is important for me to clean and recharge my palette. I also clean up my work space, so it is back to some sense of order.... When I am working on a piece my work space can get really messy... it doesn't bother me while I am in the midst of a piece. But when I am finished that piece I yearn for a sense of a clean, clear set up once again.
I am someone who thrives on a certain amount of order . It calms me... and when I am calm I do my best work.
Not everyone works this way... some artists do wonderful work amidst what to me would appear chaotic. It is essential to know what we need to do our best work.
I often paint with music... especially when I am feeling nervous or daunted or completely puzzled by the next step in the painting. It helps me to let go a little, to not hold back, to just go for it.