Not sure if I am correct but I heard that Monet did over 350 water lilies and pond paintings. So I decided to pick a landscape and explore different techniques and colorings of the same scene. I also incorporated this lesson while teaching my art students in October. One was started as a black and white painting and then thin colored glazes were added in thin colors. Once one layer was dry another color glaze was added for a luminous look. One was done with no seaoat strokes and large brush with thick paint. There were so many ideas that I wanted to attempt… All of these are 8×8″gallery wraps. I made of the scenes without photos and had to figure out where the light would hit, etc. Let the lesson continue!!
I recommend doing this project. Choose any subject. Its all about the techniques. I learned a lot already and want to continue…
This was stage one before they were all completed.
While up in Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island), I shot this and today added textures and tints after combining 3 images together for the composition I wanted. I would like to have this printed on Aluminum.. Called “Stick Fences Fernandina”.
As you can tell, I have been trying new techniques to achieve the abstract expressions. The beach is where I find solice from daily life and I want to share that love with my audience. Why do I paint? To ground myself and to produce works that people can relate to with their past experiences. I only work when I am in a happy mood and I feel that this energy is embedded into the paint and that the viewer can enjoy. That may sound silly but in a mystical way, I believe that the positive energies become part of the work. Obviously I was happy when I worked on this for a week so I am hoping that you feel that energy also. With the uncertainties of life these days, we all need to have as much positive energy in the universe. “Walking the Dog III” is 18×36″ and is stunning in real life. Creating the painting with two sizes of palette knives is quite challenging but I am intrigued by the accidental cuts and details. Paint is thick!!!
For two weeks I have been working on these abstract expressions of the ocean tides with baby sea turtles running for the tide. Much of the initial process involved outside painting with drips and runs with some layers being scrubbed off. After painting the canvas with flexible white plaster, I ran paint and water, drips manipulated by turning the canvas in different directions, adding and rubbing off some paint layers and then finally adding brush work, metallic touches and splatters of antique umber stain mixed with glazing mediums. These range in size from 14×14″ to 24×48″. The tall skinny ones are 16×40″. Inquire for prices as these are for sale.
Retouching a photograph is a big part of creating a shot that is more exciting. I liked the original capture and thought it would look better if I dodged and burned areas in Photoshop and tinted patches of the image. It didnt happen automatically. I work on an area , tinting and adding brightness or shadows with colors. The last part was adding the moon. I made a layer of the moon and only set it into the sky at 35% so its more realistic. I will print this ” Dune in Fall” on metallic paper.
Last night after dinner, I looked outside as it was still not dark and thought I would get to the beach with my camera. I only had a 10mm lens with me so it was a lot different to photograph. I love my 85mm 1.18 lens which is more for portraits and its my go to lens. Even with a storm, our beaches are beautiful.
Sometimes tropical landscapes are a theme I enjoy exploring this theme since I live on a peninsula island in Florida and have sailed and traveled in the Carribean and West Indies. The first one is called “A Spendid Day” and is 40x24x2″. The tropical island at sunset is 30x15x2 was done from a trip in the Florida Keys last November. The smaller palms is 16×20″ and is called “Island Sail”.
Recently I ordered 16×20 fine art prints form these images. They are being printed on either metallic or deep matte fine art paper. Before putting these fine art photographic illustrations in the galleries that represent me, if there is one that you would be interested in, a special sale price of $75.00 will be given versus the $125-135.00 retail. Contact me as soon as possible if interested. lindaolsenart@gmail.com. Two weeks ago, I made a similar offering in a post and those just came in form the lab and look great.
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