Sunrise in New Mexico
6x6in oil on canvas panel $110. SOLD
Artist Note.
Totally done with a palette knife
this little painting came together fast.
I have to ask myself...
why do some work and not others?
Could it be because it is an abstract?
Or could it be - it is all about
a mood - a harmony?
Any ideas anyone?
Very wonderful landscape painting with so amazing colours !!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend Julie !!!
A lovely complement coming from a master of beautiful color. Thank you,
DeleteI was just admiring the beautiful bougainvillea you painted.
GORGEOUS, and You NAILED it!
ReplyDeletethank you so much, Sue.
DeleteI tried to answer on your google plus but couldn't then I could not find a link to your blog on the G +. Are you using it as you main posting area now?
Hi Julie,
DeleteI will check it out! I am not sure. Have a good one.
I shared this one on G+
I saw that your G+ is a sharing one... very nice of you, thanks.
Delete(I would just like an easy way to get to your blog or reply on you G+)
Great work! Arianna
ReplyDeleteHello Arianna - thanks for the visit and I will be watching to see what emerges from the sketches on your blog.
DeleteA mood, harmony, most likely the artist's. You were in the groove for this one.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - good to see you out and about on blogland. Just caught your new start...rather exciting not to know where exactly you are going with it.
DeleteI think the harmony is a big factor in this one! Oh, to sit there with a glass of wine and just enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteI see sunrise most mornings because our kitchen window faces east. When there are forest fires and it gets hazy, makes the most beautiful harmony.
DeleteFun reading your post about pumpkin carving - I mean, big time carving and decorating. Your sketches are full of the wonderful fall colors.
I think it is what lies within dear Julie - perhaps just being caught up in the moment found its stunning glory to your canvas. For sure it is beautiful and looking at it I feel your joy. Have a wonderful day. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI agree about "within" and I do get lost in the awesome beauty I see. You are right - true joy!
Deletebut alas...It doesn't always translate into a smooth attempt.
Seeing the glories of fall in your new post filled me with another type of pleasure.
Julie - Great questions! I have always felt that the flow happens when I get out of the way and just (unconsciously) allow it to happen - if that makes any sense...
ReplyDeleteYour sunrise is exquisite. It feels as if you were definitely 'in the zone'! Beautiful work.
- Connie
I love those moments too, and maybe I was in "the zone" and just didn't know it. I had pre-mixed colors for this one and maybe that made it easy to going into the zone.
DeleteI hope the Phoenix event went well. I love that type of multi-learning
You know I have often thought about it too , sometimes it just happens even though maybe yesterday it just wouldn't ...and you were still the same person. Anyway your sunrise is totally amazing, really worth getting up for , wow ! I have been to New Mexico, but never saw anything like this, probably slept too long :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL about sleeping too long. Those were the days, but now I wake up way too early.
DeleteYou obviously understand and yes - sometimes it just happens. Wish it would happen more often. I know I really enjoy being able to get what I see in my head.
The sunrises ans sunsets are more colorful when there are forest fires and the wind blows then into New Mexico.
I am enjoying your nudes, Jane. Seems they flow naturally.
It's the color and value shifts for me on this ne. The sky at the very top is lighter and a completely different color than the rest...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Kaethe - glad you like it, thank you.
DeleteI am always amazed at how light the sky above is at sunset and sunrise.
The overall harmony is always so beautiful.
You really set a lovely scene (or expertly captured one that was there already)-either way it looks inviting to me:)
ReplyDeleteI tend to think that your own mood affects what happens on the canvas. Focusing in just the right way seems to help. Really though, I'd like to blame the materials or the cats when something goes wrong but who am I kidding? LOL!
Libby
Good point - I agree that mood affects what happens. Maybe I was able to get into the zone because of my mood that day...or lack of interruptions! No cat at work!
DeleteStopped me in my tracks!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know why some work and some don't. Maybe we get in our own way sometimes. The autopilot mode works best on many occasions - you know the "rules," you have mastered the "techniques" - now just let them appear as you need them (?) The million dollar question...
You nailed some excellent points. All valid. But Chris...when you said just let them appear....I actually laughed. If only I could.
DeleteThe elephant is a wonderful work of art. You are great to make a post pointing out how they are threatened.
I wonder what you are working on now?
I absolutely love this one Julie!!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Dee. I bet you are painting balloons for the fiesta up thee in Albuquerque. I know I saw your fab work there several years ago.
Deletelooks lovely :)
ReplyDeletemaybe its working with the palette knife?
I do have a new knife I am liking. Never thought of that. Thanks.
DeleteI loved seeing the crash helmet and LOL at your story about falling from wearing heels!
I call it magic. Some days are just magical! Love the results of a magical day!
ReplyDeleteMagical...oh yes but I have to think there is a way I can harness it.
DeleteI can tell it may have been just pure luck
!Thanks for the visit, Sharon.
This painting is jaw dropping beautiful!! It is hard to understand why some come easier than others, but if you do find out please share!! :-)
ReplyDeleteNeat to know you find it hard to understand, too, Celia. There is a comment below from Connie at Cagley Art. Worth reading.
DeleteThanks for your flattering comment. It feels good.
Hi again Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis discussion reminded me of the book I'm currently reading which I feel is extremely relevant. It is called "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert (who you may know because she also wrote "Eat, Pray, Love"). She has much to say about creative inspiration that is both spot-on and oftentimes quite humorous. In a segment called 'Hard Labor vs. Fairy Dust', she talks in part about that instance of 'creative genius' in this way:
"When you look back at it later, all you can say is: "I don't even know where that came from." You can't repeat it. You can't explain it. But it felt as if you were being guided."
She shares tons of other insights that IMO are really worthwhile regarding the 'creative genius' she has named "Big Magic".
If anyone is so inclined - it's a thought-provoking read to which all of us as artists can relate...
Enjoy!
- Connie
I really appreciate you sharing this, Connie. I certainly will get a copy.
DeleteI will post this again too.
It's the same with writing, don't you think? The best writing is done when the pen takes over, and the words don't get in the way of the story....! By the same virtue: when the knife/brush takes over.
ReplyDeleteThe poet Dylan Thomas said that his best work was 'accidental'.
Whatever ....'Sunrise in New Mexico' is right up there ... as ever!
Hi John. I am not a writer so I cannot comment but I do think the creative act can take a life of its own. I have a friend who plays the piano and she shared it sometimes happens to her. My question is...the automatic can only happen if the foundation is already there - right? For example. I couldn't go in the zone and produce a great child's portrait if I didn't already know how to paint a child. Interesting topic. I like the Dylan quote.
DeleteI blinked rapidly when I saw the forms already in place for the boat you are building. I thought it would take a long time to do that part. Are you at it 24-7?
I've done nothing to the boat yet, :), that was a photograph of somebody else's bout to demonstrate. It's built upside down btw .
DeleteYou're right about the foundation of course
This painting works for me because of the palette and the absolute freshness. It looks like you just laid it down. And you did. No fussing, no fixing. It really worked for you. Beautiful indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in this are just so stunning. It took my breath away when I saw it on Facebook. No wonder it's sold. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteStunning work indeed. Love this!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, I am an admirer of all of your work, but this one really speaks to me. I love the colour palette and the way in which it is expressed.
ReplyDeleteI also like the question that it spawned as well. There really are those paintings which come together and seem almost to fall off of your brush/painting knife. I like to think of these paintings as the moment when your inner artist and your outer artist are completely in sync.
We've all experienced those times where that doesn't happen, where there almost seems to be a disconnect between the two. Your brain/inner artist is in one place, and your hand, the tool of your outer artist is in another.
I find that at these times, I can have a vision in my mind and this feeling that is associated with it, but when I try and translate these things to canvas, it almost seems as though things fall out at my elbow or at my wrist. I can't quite get it to make it to the canvas. And this can happen for a number of reasons. There are times when I don't have the technical skill to translate that vision, times when the studio/painting environment is not quite right, times when I have other things trying to invade my mental space and break my concentration, etc.
But on those days when you have that vision and you put your head down and begin to paint, not allowing the extraneous noise/concerns to distract you, when your technical prowess is at the same point and your brain isn't ahead of your skill level, and everything comes together, it is almost magical. You get into the zone and let your outer artist execute the painting as your inner artist sees it. It's such an amazing experience. These are the days when you sit down to paint and when you finally look up you realize that hours have passed like minutes. I love that zone and am always amazed at what happens in it.
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you for your beautifully expressed comment.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed visiting your blog and have subscribed so I can enjoy
your very helpful posts.
Julie, thank you! That really means a lot to me as someone who admires your work. I think that it's wonderful, and I love the way in which you so kindly share it as well your thoughts about your path/journey.
ReplyDelete