Yellow Sky

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - sold

On our drive back from Estes Park we ran into some absolutely gorgeous clouds during golden hour. The clouds had a small break and the sun rays shone through the gaps. I honestly don't think I need to say more - this was absolutely breathtaking. 16/52

Going Home Study

7x5in. oil on canvas panel - sold

On a road trip to Phoenix, Arizona we had to drive through Colorado. Passing the border from Nebraska into Colorado at golden hour produced this absolutely gorgeous colorscape on the clouds. It had just gotten done raining and it was absolutely serene. This trip solidified in my heart that one day we will move to Colorado. There is just something about golden hour that brings a magical feeling. This painting is actually a study for a larger painting I plan on painting in the future. 14/52

Warmth

6.5x6.5in. oil on cradled wood panel - sold; click to purchase prints here

I am pleased to announce that this painting is finished. I went through a lot while making this painting, including a lot of wiping off progress. I think that's why it took me so long to finish it, it was so intimidating and it often won against my attempts. While working on this painting, I learned a lot and made myself proud - hard work often rewards a good feeling. Other than my Batman painting I don't think I spent this long on a painting before - in fact, it took me months to complete. I took this reference photo when my husband and I came home from our trip where we got engaged and I remember the clouds looking so warm and inviting, almost like "renaissance painting" clouds. Many more cloudscapes are in my future for sure.

When sessions in the studio just don’t work out.

6.5x6.5in. oil on cradled wood panel - Warmth, click to purchase prints here

I have been having a bit of a struggle with this painting. I’ve applied paint to the orange area and wiped it off twice at this point. This is what I’d call a bad studio day - don’t get me wrong, I love it when I go into my studio and have a good, productive work day, but not all of the days at the easel are like that. A lot of artists consider a “bad studio day” to still be good. I’m still attempting to work at my craft, I’m getting those paintbrush miles in and I’m able to sit back from my work to critique it and even wipe it all off when I know it just isn’t working. In other words, I’m learning to not be as precious as I used to be with my work. I know someday in the near future (maybe even today!) I’ll sit at the easel and everything will just click. Until then, I’m having a good time even just being around my paints and easel.