Just when I was getting in the mood...

       After spending a lot of time sketching and thinking and resizing and toning the canvas I finally got the image of Kim in the shawl transferred. I was in a bit of a hurry at this point because I have to go out and help Bob with his ongoing tree removal project so I just grabbed a size 12 filbert oil brush and started slapping on glazes of colour. I finished up the light tone with a size 5 filbert. It all went on in about six minutes. 

       I have to admit I'm really happy with how it looks so far. There is a lot to do, however, so no celebrating yet. It's isn't too late to wreck it:-) I have to decide on adding more layers of paint too...do I leave it in these thin glazes or go for a real bite of physical paint? I'll know more once I start the shawl and background. I want a slightly hazy element but knowing me I could easily be seduced by details and nitpicking. I need someone here to whack me over the hand when I overwork something.

       Meanwhile, I find it a bit ironic that I am now also busily working on three floral paintings (for a client) when I consider how numb I was all through the winter...couldn't get motivated...nothing much happening creatively speaking. Maybe I need the sunshine on occasion?? Dull days seem to make ME dull. They are 12"x12" each. I have all three started and underpainted on canvas but I have spent the most time with the hydrangeas. For the first two days of this week working on it I felt all thumbs and couldn't seem to remember how I have painted this subject before - I was getting all lost in the tiny petals and variations of colour. By wednesday afternoon I was close to weeping with frustration but yesterday it suddenly began to happen. Don't you love when it does that? Something clicks and the hand just takes over. If I could bottle it I'd be a millionaire.


       But, though I have finally gotten in the mood to be out here painting all day and into the evening (sigh) now it's time to switch gears and  get into lumberjack mode:-) Where did I put my flannel shirt; oh yeah, I'm already wearing my gum boots...