Is Simple Better?

I have been at work on my first commissioned painting.  It is an abstract landscape of mountains and a field of wildflowers inspired by photographs taken in Denver, CO.  I've been creating studies, trying to determine the best media and exploring all the ways that this landscape can take form.  However, everytime I lay down what I think will be the underpainting, I step away and think, " Wow! I really like that."  I'm drawn to the looseness and simplicity of it.  It has movement and seems to already be telling a story.

As a new arist, I'm still developing my style and aesthetic.  I have so many interests that my style seems to be all over the place.  One day, I'm loose and working with wet paint and a big brush.  The next day, I'm in paper, texture medium, and working almost exclusively with a pallete knife.

However, ever since my visit to Savannah, something about the loose paint with lots of movement just speaks volumes to me.  Is this my signature style?  Who knows.  I'm not sure I definitely want a signature style.  What I do want is to stay authentic to my muse and just go with the flow.  I think that is what Savannah is all about.

I'm currently reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  It is so full of the sights and sounds that I remember of Savannah and the characters are just like the city, full of old southern charm and larger than life.  That is what I want to capture.  So, perhaps my style will be more of a state of mind rather than a brush stroke or color story.

Contrast:The Art of Adding a Little Interest

I receive a newsletter from Creatively Fit, a venture of Whitney Ferré, and decided to spend some time on Whitney’s website today. You have to visit her site. She is definitely a seed of inspiration! She got me all jazzed to do some painting. So, I pulled out an old canvas of a painting I had done a couple of months ago just to pass the time. I painted right over it. Here’s the new piece.

I used some of her techniques, such as creating texture with tissue paper that is stuck right on the canvas and using household items as a “stamp”. The whole process was quite liberating, but after it was dry, I realized that there was not enough contrast.

Contrast creates interest. We all need a little contrast in our lives. Food tastes better, your home décor is more striking, your outfit is more memorable, and friendships are more dynamic when there is contrast. Where can you add a little contrast today?

Be sure to post your contrast creations.

~Jenn