Cloudy Skies
6x8in oil on canvas $125. SOLD
This is the view from my house. Those are the Organ Mountains,
here in beautiful Las Cruces. Directly behind them about 40 miles is the
White Sands Missile Range. One of the thrills I remember was watching
the space shuttle land in the early 80's and later today (Thursday) the
Space Shuttle Endeavoris scheduled to fly over here on its way to California.
Artist Note.
I have a deck I can set up my paints on and wait for the golden hour.
Remembering the motto when I was in the Girl Scouts
Be prepared!
It was strange painting in a straight forward manner and not fracturing.
It went a lot faster for sure.
I wanted to do a cloud study so I painted the large creamy mass first.
I was careful to have the clouds in perspective, receding back behind the mountains.
Honestly, I saw the sky turn this amazing aqua blue right in front of my eyes.
This is the time of year we have clouds and I hate to see them go.
Come October, our skies turn pure Cobalt Blue and the glorious yellows
and golds of the cottonwood trees vibrate beautifully against it. Maybe,
just maybe, there will be a puff of white here and there but nothing as
dramatic as this.
I love the way I can see the clouds moving because of the shadows on the ground! Wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I love the clouds and the shadows they create.
DeleteYour lovely portrait gave me goose bumps!
We have had the most beautiful clouds this summer. But they also disappear here in October. Perhaps it will be different this year; the weather so far has certainly been unusual for us.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from painting the late afternoon light across a lake just a mile or so from my house. That long golden light is marvelous.
Your clouds are wonderful and the palette overall just so rich and interesting.
It was great to get in from painting and see your painting and read your post.
I saw the wonderful plein air piece you did on your blog, Shirley. On the previous blog I see you are also an advocate of painting what is personal and around ones own space.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous view from your house, Julie! Beautiful painting..an amazing sky that belongs on a canvas so we can always enjoy it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very nice comment, Hilda. What a beautiful lake you have painted.
DeleteI thought that I got the wrong blog first, but realized it was yours, but you chose to not use your fracturing technique. I like it, but it doesn't scream Julie. Isn't it fun how one connect a person with a certain style? I know you master many styles, but I think fracturing is more you.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at this one Roger. You would not believe how many followers do not like my fracturing. This piece obviously sold to one of them! For me personally, I love the complexity of the fracturing. Total involvement is needed.
DeleteWhen I have to paint fast, (because the clouds move) painting the direct approach is more suitable, BUT I can now try and fracture it from the study I did. Maybe I will do that today. I really value and enjoy your comments Roger. Thank you.
What a glorious sky painting, clouds are irresistible and fascinating, and with a view like this you are really in front line.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane - yes, clouds are universal aren't they? No matter where one lives, the terrain and buildings can be different, but clouds of all types, link us all.
DeleteI sure loved the monsoon season when I lived in Tucson. I know what you mean about the skies. A beautiful scene you've painted, Julie. Clouds tend to mesmerize me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Crimson - yes.,they mesmerize me too. Always different. Glad to hear you have lived in the southwest then you have an idea how unique the light is here.
DeleteMagnificent pallet of colours on your sky, dear Julie! The light blue that begins on the upper right corner and goes all the way to the left it makes the sky solid and firm-it's my favorite detail.
ReplyDeleteAn again absolutely beautiful painting; and what a view you have!
Everything is good and warm here in Greece :) Thank you for asking. Though, with all the moving and meetings with family and friends I have no time for painting- I'm constantly trying to 'steal' some so to finish a painting I've started days ago...
Warm regards.
Hello Konstantina and thanks for noticing that the top blue went all the way across. Obviously you have a well trained eye.
DeleteGlad you are happy being home and catching up with friends and family...but still trying to find some painting time.
Julie...You are indeed blessed with a beautiful view from your deck!
ReplyDeleteLove the aqua and the slash of lavender among the other great colors in this one.
We both love to use color, don't we, Dean? Your bird today is fabulous.
DeleteThanks for the visit.
what a beautiful view - captured beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThanks Myra. Love your new painting.
DeleteWonderful view ,from your house,that invites you to paint!
ReplyDeleteDear Julie,you painted a fantastic sunset with vivid colors and drama that I love.
(Here where I live are similar the sunsets in March and September, the months of the equinox).
Beautiful job with those receding clouds. What a lovely view you have. thanks for sharing.......
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita...and when you mention color I think of the beautiful colors you used in your bird painting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative time you had right from your deck, this is looking stunning with so much of momentum on the sky.. but I observe that you dont use your fracturing technique with your landscapes,,with that technique, I just identify the painting with your name!
ReplyDeleteLove this painting- your colors rock!
ReplyDeletewonderful! It is interesting to see another one of your straight up paintings.
ReplyDeleteI was floating in my hot tub this morning watching the sun come up. the clouds turned a sweet soft pink, then the silver lining, then the sun peeked over the mountains. And then the sky turned that azure I just love!
thank you for your lovely piece!
This beautiful painting caught my eye on your sidebar, Julie. Lovely work.
ReplyDelete