Blog

The original plein air below was painted with my Painting Class in March of 2020 at the Bayou Club. It had just dawned on us, the danger of the Pandemic, when our classes indoors had to the canceled. I wanted to honor my commitment to the class by finishing the semester painting outside. However; I think this painting reflected those dark times. Therefore, here is another example of how to hopefully rescue a "Sows Ear". First, while still preserving the idea of cool shadows looking out on the light, I introduced more dappled light in the trees, the trunks, and in the ground with cool grass instead of warm dirt and a few bluebonnets for good measure. Then I eliminated the road and opened up the gap in the hedge beyond. That gave a light path to the purple trees and the sky, which in turn lead you back to the dappled light in the leaves of the front trees. Well, did I improve it or not? It's often hard to know when to continue to work on a past decision you are not happy with and when to just let it go. Painting does have a way of giving you life lessons doesn't it?

REMINDER: I will be teaching a 1 day workshop for Houston Art Society next Monday, March 25 at 10:00 am at Memorial Church of Christ, 900 Echo Lane in the Gym. Bring your own paints and a landscape Photo if you like.