07/09/2007: "I’m painting again!"

So, I had 5 days off recently and actually got some work done! I decided (as you probably guessed from my last post) to continue with the "women in an Alaskan landscape" theme. I spent a couple of days working on compositions in PhotoShop and now I’ve started painting 6 canvases and I have the thumbnails for 6 more!

Now, before you get too excited for me, I’m not sure at all that any of them are any good. There are maybe 3 that made me go “Wheeeeeeeee!” and a few others that I think have potential.

I’m working much smaller than normal (11”x14” is the largest) so I’m actually painting out a couple versions of a few paintings because I’m not sure if I like the cropped or un-cropped version better. It feels freeing to work small because it's less of an investment in each piece so even though I’m swiftly running out of time, I feel like I can still play around to an extent.

The new ground floor studio is working out OK. I still don’t like it as much as having the entire upstairs to myself but it’s more practical and the light is decent. Aaron spent some time last night moving things around to make it feel less claustrophobic for me, which was really good of him.

There are some pretty big personal changes going on as well but not anything I can really discuss due to privacy etc. and nothing negative…just challenging. I’m in a strange place in my head these days, full of hope but also self-doubt and not sure how much of the new work I’m ready to share yet so stick around if you care to...there should be more to come shortly...including some photographs of the most stunning sunset I've ever seen!

Oh, and on a positive note, I’ve picked up another commission! I’ve turned down several great opportunities lately because of not having the time to commit to them, but this one just felt right so I’m happy about that plus I really need the $ right now so...win/win!

I also got the last commission in the mail this past weekend which was a huge relief. Now that I think about it, I didn’t actually start any new work until after that commission (which took TEN MONTHS) was on its merry way. In the end, I was really happy with how it turned out and even happier to have it out the door...though honestly, I miss it a little now...do any of you ever feel sad to see a painting go?

Replies: 6 Comments

on Monday, July 9th, berry connell said

uh-oh.
Watch out, gal!
I did a couple of 11x14s and the next thing y'know, I was hooked!
And for a multitude of reasons.
First off, they were cheaper to frame.
Second, I could do a couple of good ones in a day.
Another reason is, I didn't charge as much so they sold faster.
Used less paint.
Finished fast enough t'let me go explore other paintings.

I still remember the photo of your wall with the gloriously colorful nudes, all pretty fair sized.
The paintings, not the nudes.

on Monday, July 9th, berry connell said

...oh yeah.
Go to my site and it's the second post down...just under the two goats.
(under the two goats? What the heck kind'a blog is THAT?)

on Monday, July 9th, Elise said

I think you may be right Berry. I normally work in a range of 30"x40" to 12"x16" at the low end. My last show I did some smaller pieces and about half sold.

It was fun doing the smaller pieces and I'm enjoying it now but I still think my favorite size is 24"x30". If I do any small pieces that I really really love, I may turn it into a larger piece.

two goats eh?

on Tuesday, July 10th, Kasia said

Hey! You seem to be full of energy now!!! That is so great. I can't wait to see these new paintings.

on Tuesday, July 10th, Elise said

Thanks Kasia, I don't have *that* much energy, but I'm trying to get something done because with oil paint, you can't wait until the last minute. Things need time to dry and if I didn't get some paintings started right away there's no way I could finish them in time for the show in September.

Hopefully I'll have some paintings to post in the next couple of weeks.

on Tuesday, July 10th, berry connell said

Dang, this is gonna seem a lil out of touch..
I just got a new avatar today (after a year and a half of bloggin') but, y'all don't do avatars here, do ya?

Well, the jokes are good
Just imagine that I'm doing the Man in the Street...

and now, a word from The Man on the Streets..."boneman, are y'all there?"

"Yes, berry. Here I am, though not all would say I'm ALL here"

"so, what have you to report?"

"well, after a year and a half, it seems I finally have an avatar."

"That's a bit of a time to wait, isn't it?"

"Well, yes....but you see, Ive had a screw loose. However it's good not to tighten them too much, else they'll strip"

"boneman, it sounds more like you're a few bricks shy of a load..."

"Yes I am, berry. That's because I only need enough to build a BBQ pit."

"seems like the lights are on, but, no one is at home...."

"It's true. I leave the lights burning so folks who visit while I'm gone can see their way to the porch."

"yes, well....your elevator doesn't seem to go to the top floor..."

"Absolutely not! That walk up the last couple of flights keeps me fit and trim!"

"....."

"are you still there, berry?"

"Yes...well. You're just not playing with a full deck, are you, boneman?"

"Again, true! I love euchre and chess, but, I never really know what to do with all the other cards"

"....is this guy kiddin' me? Boneman, you're not the sharpest tool in the box, are you?"

"Heck no, berry! But then again, who would want a sharp hammer?"

"......ok, let's go to commercial"

:rolleyes: