The snow melts, the skies turn blue — and all of a sudden it’s everything, everywhere, all at once — yardwork, gardening, schlepping paintings to galleries, etc. Today I decided I MUST get out to paint. And where did I go? Nowhere. Just stayed in my own backyard. I’ve always enjoyed this view but hadn’t gotten around to painting it. Another advantage: my dear cat, Picasso, could hang out with me and give little meows of encouragement. Here he is, supervising:
Usually paintings always look pretty rough in the beginning. Rough, as in “pretty awful”. Here’s stage 1. I’ve found it’s worthwhile to try and get the drawing right from the very beginning:
Next I wanted to try to establish where the dark shapes were. Painted thinly, using Liquin:
The “basic blobs” of color were relatively quick and easy. Plus there’s the added advantage of seeing more of the blank surface “covered”. As opposed to the empty chasm of emptiness, glaring back, taunting, paint something, you old fool! Then it was on to facing those tree trunks and time just flew by — too quickly for me to remember to photograph that struggle. I appreciated Picasso being there for moral support. It helps to stop now and then, turn, and rub a purring cat’s belly….
Margie Guyot Art 