“Contrast is everything. Color doesn’t read until you put another color next to it. For example, when you place what you think is true red on a neutral background, the red looks warmer when you put crimson next to it. When you put red-orange next to the red, the red appears cooler. But if you place green beside red, both colors seem more intense. Every time you add a color to a composition, you change all the relationships.” -Nita Leland
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I’m taking a few online classes. This pieces was done for my Layer Love class being taught by Julie Pritchard and Chris Cozen. For this lesson we had to blend several colors with Open Golden paint mediums to create an abstract (blended) painting. I may add to this painting later just using what I’ve done as the background.
Learning color is like learning a new language. To be able to think in color and then be able to apply it correctly to your paper or wood panel is amazing! I’ve always been someone who dreams in color and I think in color, so learning this just makes me happy! It is truly a joy to be deeply involved in something and that’s what happens when I paint.
This week is Bob’s birthday – and it’s one of those big ones – 60! We are headed to the coast for a few days to celebrate. The weather looks like it will be in the mid-seventies while we are there! YAY! I’m taking my journal and my camera and the books I am reading right now: Thirst by Mary Oliver, At Seventy a journal by May Sarton, Ten Poems to Change Your life again & again by Roger Housden and The Marriage Plot by Jeffery Eugenides. I usually read about 3 nonfiction books along with one novel at a time switching between them as my moods change. I’ve always enjoyed reading that way.
Here’s Watson at four months. We walk along the Chattahoochee River every weekend. This dog always has something in his mouth – a stick a pinecone a rock! Every time he goes outside he tries to sneak in with something. He hides it in his mouth. We give him treats as part of his housebreaking training. So when I bring him in and tell him to sit to take the leash off and give him his treat, he won’t open his mouth. Of course I take the sticks and pinecones away so he won’t make a mess inside. He’s so funny trying to hide it from me. He weighs about 35 pounds now on long legs. All those curls when wet still reveal a smallish body, but he’s really growing fast.
Hope everyone has a great week. I’ll be thinking about you while I’m walking the beach . . .
“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea and the sea drowns them out with it’s wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” -Rainer Maria Rilke
I spent most of my summers at Isle of Palms, SC while growing up. My aunt and uncle lived in Charleston and had a beach house. I would usually go the day school let out and be dragged home – kicking and screaming – the week before school started in the fall. I love the ocean and it does heal on so many levels.
Judy,
Have a wonderful trip and Happy Birthday to Bob.
I love the ocean and I miss it a lot living here in Taos, very far from any ocean!
Watson is a doll, at least he does not try to eat what he finds, like my Bella!
Color has always been my thing, lately I like subtle contrasts, though I have not been painting how I have been feeling. Have fun and this is a great start.
xoxo
Thank you Annie. I too love the ocean and have lived too far away from it at times. I’m still about 5 hours away – so we only go a couple of times a year. Watson is a cutie – we are really enjoying him. And he would eat those sticks and pinecones and make a terrible mess while doing it! Hope you start feeling better soon. I love your paintings and hope you will be able to photograph them much easier when you get your photo cube!
Watson has grown so much I cant’ believe how tall he is, lovely golds there.
Hi Linda – yup, Watson is gaining about 3 pounds a week. And thanks for your comments on the painting. This was just an exercise in blending and building up layers. I’m really enjoying my class. It’s so cool to be able to take online classes.
A long story, I’m afraid. A friend showed me pictures today of her young dog, Buster. While my friend was out-of-town her son was keeping the puppy. One day Buster brought in a yellow flower, stem carried in his teeth. The son thought this note worthy and took a picture and sent it to his mom. Yesterday, back home, my friend was not feeling well (the whole city is suffering with alergies from the cedar pollen) when the puppy nudged her to play with him she said “No, Buster, I don’t want to play today.” The puppy jumped down from the sofa and ran out the doggy door only to return moments later with the same yellow flower–only now quite ragged and dried up–in his mouth which he dropped in her lap, jumped down on the floor and sat looking up at her with pleading eyes! She had photos of each stage in her phone to show me!
Gay, what a great story! I think our animals are so much smarter than science has ever given them credit for. Every dog I’ve ever had knew me, my moods and could get me out of the doldrums quicker than any one of my friends. Already Watson is right beside me no matter what I am doing – anticipating, waiting, always eager to be whatever I need. And there are so many stories of miraculous long treks home when dogs become separated from their families or they are able to sense danger and alert their families. Did you read about the dog & elephant that became friends at a rescue farm – the dog passed away and the elephant was visibly grieving – would hang out at their favorite spots and moan. Pretty amazing.
that is a great abstract painting! have a nice trip too..
Thanks Ang! Can’t wait for a few days on the coast . . .
Absolutely lovely layers, Judy. Was this done with a limited palette?
Although I live quite close to the sea (within about 1 hours drive) I rarely get there – too many other things get in the way. Must add it to my to-do list.
Watson is beautiful. Makes me want to go home and cuddle by boy.
hugs
sue:)
Hi Sue – yes the palette was limited and we were encouraged to layer until we felt the piece was finished allowing for light and dark areas.
The ocean can be so healing – wish I lived closer.
Watson is really a wonderful pup – his personality grows as he does – he’s funny and playful and so loving. So happy he’s in our lives.
xxoo
Have a lovely time at the beach…. walking, reading, contemplating and generally just relaxing into the rhythms of a glorious beach holiday. A wonderful thought!
Robyn – thank you. It’s a well needed happy break!
Loving your paintings, Judy! Very, very nice. Can’t wait to see where you go with this. I may have to check out that layers class.
Have a great time on the coast. Maybe Watson will develop a taste for sea shells.
xo
Susan
Thank you Susan! The Layer Love class is fabulous – but from reading your last post – your layering technique is already wonderful! The beach was all I had hoped for – calm, healing, fun, laughter. Watson is a moon-doogie! As soon as his feet hit the sand he went berserk – hopping, twirling, running – he had a blast.