A LANDSCAPE FOR A CHANGE OF PACE

I finished this painting and matted it today. This painting is so untypical of what I paint that it presented itself as a real challenge. I never do masses of flowers and lots of details with foliage and such. I was having fun experimenting with brush work and creating variety in the greens. It is from our summer painting trip in the Bordeaux area of France with Mike Bailey. I fell in love with the beautiful yellow umbrellas at Petite Rousset and took so many photos of the garden and pool area. When I got home I wanted to jump right into painting so I started this one and didn't quite finish it. Now I am working on finishing pieces half started while the paint dries on the Kaleidoscope painting. I can't seem to get more than one head done at a session. It is taking me forever but I just keep plugging away. Four heads down and four to go.

If you receive the posts by e-mail and would like to see this painting enlarged, then go to the actual blog and click on the painting. You can also read and/or post comments on the blog page. I'm pretty sure there is a place that you can click in the e-mail that will take you right there.

I have had a request for the next set of parameters for the January painting challenge. I am not ready for them but for those of you who want to do the next painting using my sets, here is painting #4: CRUCIFORM composition....a large shape touching somewhere on all four sides of the painting; SHAPE is the dominant element; BLUE VIOLET is the Mother Color. This one shouldn't be too much of a stuggle. Looking forward to seeing your results. I hope to be caught up by next week and start on this one, myself.

I have been finding some very interesting sites lately. One is an art coach who has a weekly newsletter (free) and a blog site as well. I have subscribed to it. You never know when a good tip will come your way. Go to artbizcoach.com On that blog site she had a link to Thoughts from the Universe. This is very new age along the lines of the book "The Secret". In fact, I think this guy is in that book. You can sign up for a positive message to arrive in your e-mail box every day. Not sure about that one, but a positive message to start your day can't hurt.

I found another website that is for writers to help with their creativity. Great place to get titles for paintings, or art shows, etc. I am going to use it for February's challenge so the actual site won't be revealed until then.