Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Farmers Market #3



Farmers Market #3

6x8in oil on canvas panel  $125. SOLD

A sunny California morning. This is the market in Santa Cruz and whole
families join in the experience. I loved this little girl in the white dress
because  my granddaughter has a dress with the frilly layers at the bottom.
Must be in style as I saw quite a few of them

Artist Note.

This was my dilemma - do I have the focus on the scale... or people?
I decided I would do a separate painting with the scale as the focus
and try for a bustling market atmosphere in this one.
So the scale is subdued by value and the woman is hit by sunlight.
The little girl is a risk - having the white contrast low down,
 but she also is a stopper for the eye going off at that corner.
My painting - I can break the rules if I want to!








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37 comments:

  1. Roger ÅkessonJuly 10, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    I can see the things you mention and I agree that you got the focus on the people. I have no idea if the girl is a good or bad idea, but I am all for breaking the rules. I am sure I tend to break more than I follow. Some rules are so old fashioned to me.
    I like how the composition creates a path and the way you work with the light and shadows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 10, 2013 at 10:47 PM

      I agree to breaking "rules" but I try not to break the principles.
      Interesting your viewpoint about rules being old fashioned. I like that and have not thought about it that way.
      Your pine cones are fabulous.

      Delete
  2. Libby FifeJuly 10, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Perfect! I saw exactly what you described-the scale, then the people and nice bright pops of sunlight. The little girl in the corner is a great foil for that part of the frame-not to leave. This has a very nice, early morning feel to me.

    I have been to Santa Cruz many times over the years but only on cloudy, overcast days. You really hit the right time for these.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 10, 2013 at 10:50 PM

      The only time I was too hot on our trip was in Santa Cruz. Carmel was sunny but cold. How neat that you can get there easily - I liked it a lot.
      Glad you like the painting - thanks Libby.
      You did an especially good job on the water in your new painting.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 10, 2013 at 4:00 PM

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    ReplyDelete
  4. hmuxoJuly 10, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    This is truly beautiful, Julie! The first thing my eyes went to was the scale...LOVE IT...then I traveled to the people and the wonderful color and light...I love the little girl...she completes the scene!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 10, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    Thanks Karen. Love your chair in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Diana Moses BotkinJuly 11, 2013 at 1:32 AM

    I saw the girl in the center first, then the scale. And that scale kept me very intrigued for quite a while, then I looked back at the girl in the center. Only later did I notice the little girl in white, even though you had mentioned her. So, at least for me, she is not too stark there on the edge.

    This is a very lively and fun painting, Julie. I like it a lot.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 7:42 AM

      Hi Diana - thanks for the supportive comment. It is good to have experienced eyes share with feedback.
      Love the painting you did of your feet in the water and the "green" article you wrote is so helpful.

      Delete
  7. Celeste BerginJuly 11, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    haha! the first thing I looked at was the person wearing the hat! Well, I love the painting--it is just expertly done! Rich in color and texture!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 7:45 AM

      Hey - thanks Celeste. Expertly done!!! - wow - well here is an extra thanks!
      I see you are doing some expertly done copies of Sargent's drawings and paintings. Now HE was a real expert...or beyond.

      Delete
  8. Autumn LeavesJuly 11, 2013 at 3:24 AM

    Rules schmules. The painting is fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 7:53 AM

      Love this one. You are a poet. Thanks Sherry. Hey - love the change to your blog background today - very cooling.

      Delete
  9. Dean H.July 11, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Great balance of light/shade, impact/neutral. The girl works as a great edge guard. Looks as though you used a little more brush in finishing up this one.?
    Excellent painting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 8:00 AM

      Good comment - thanks Dean. Can not remember about more brush than usual. I get caught up in the flow. I always think I do a lot with brush first and then finish with the texture of a knife. Touch up with brush at the end maybe?
      Your drawing is fabulous Dean. What a lovely touch you have.

      Delete
  10. Page Pearson RailsbackJuly 11, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    I have never known what the rules are...what are they? HA..This is gorgeous..I can feel the energy at the market

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 8:04 AM

      Yes - wish I could forget them. That is the trouble with an art school education. Thanks for liking this one Page.
      I like the changes you made to your floral but both were good. YOu have a powerful sense of design

      Delete
  11. Bruce BinghamJuly 11, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    Nice job and my eye doesn't get stuck on the scale, the woman carries the rest of the cast:)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 8:10 AM

      Great - thanks Bruce. I was struck by your beautiful words on your post today as well as the lovely painting.

      Delete
  12. Lisa Graham July 11, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    Painting a little girl in a little white dress can never be a risk. I love this scene and the way the sun hits the woman in the center. These market paintings you are doing are wonderful.

    I just saw that somehow I missed the giveaway. Must have been interrupted when I was reading that post a while back. Darn.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 8:26 AM

      thanks Lisa - I am always pleased when you like my painting. Sorry you missed a chance at the drawing too...but I KNOW you can paint even better radish than me.
      Love your new painting and also your new "sketchbook sweeties."

      Delete
  13. Kim MinichielloJuly 11, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    I love this composition. You are such a master at creating a story and atmosphere with such rich juicy brushwork!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Hi Kim thanks for the lovely complement. I enjoyed your newsletter but could not navigate thru everything. I did see your beautiful waterlily painting.

      Delete
  14. Carol FlattJuly 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    Wonderful painting. Full of activity. Your balance between sun and shadow is captivating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Glad you like it Carol. Thanks. I, in turn, LOVE your grapes.

      Delete
  15. Debbie NolanJuly 11, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    Julie the little girl looks so sweet in the white frilly dress. I find my eye is drawn though to the blues in the scale and especially in the man. Your art is always so well done. Thank you for sharing. It is always a treat to see your work.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      What a lovely comment. Thanks, dear Debbie, and congratulations on your 150th blog!

      Delete
  16. Karen Johnston Daily PaintingsJuly 11, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    My eye went to the girl in the centre first then to the little girl in white ( I think it was a good risk) then to the scales...anyway it's good to break the rules now and again! Lovely feeling in this Julie:)

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 5:51 PM

      Good to hear your eye flow in this one. Thanks Karen. You have such a good eye it pleases me no end.
      I see we are both working with fruits or veggies. Love yours.

      Delete
  17. mary maxamJuly 11, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    It is tricky to set up a scene like this and you solved the 'problem' beautifully. My eye goes to the girl and then the scale and color bits that say 'market'. Beautifully done.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 9:04 PM

      I agree - it is tricky. Glad you think it was solved in a good way. I appreciate your critique, Mary.

      Delete
  18. UnknownJuly 11, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Julie, this one is just right. All the action is in the bottom right third........takes my eye and leads me right in. Highest contrast, most interest. Perfect diagonal so we know the scale is important, just not the star right now.
    Ironing right now.........tomorrow is painting!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 9:05 PM

      Glad you are back. Thanks for stopping by with this really excellent observation. Looking forward to your next painting

      Delete
  19. Sharon L. GravesJuly 11, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    as a KY Farmer's Marketer, I love your market paintings.

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  20. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJuly 11, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    Thanks Sharon. That is nice of you to say. You work hard if you participate in a market. They get there very early to set up.
    Love Katelyn's painting. Truly I do.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Donna MacDonald AFCAJuly 12, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    Love it Julie!!

    ReplyDelete

I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie

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