Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Plein Air Paintings

July 14 through 18 I was painting on the Oregon Coast with a group of other artists. We painted in the mist, wind, cold, bright sun--whatever the weather, we painted. So the coast is a pretty challenging place to paint outdoors because of the variety of elements. As you read last week, I lost my last painting due to my poor preparation for a wind gust.

My personal goal was to find patterns in these landscapes to direct my painting. In a way, it is like creating a language--a symbol for this, a symbol for that. In the studio, especially painting an interior scene, you can borrow patterns from all sorts of sources. But painting landscapes, you have to interpret what is in front of you. In this posting I'll share my attempts and ask for your comments.

These two paintings are my first day's efforts.

 
Posted by Picasa

Plein Air Painter

 
Posted by Picasa

Coastal Rhythms

Another day I felt pretty exhausted from the hard work of thinking so hard about patterns. I came up with these two more traditional coastal watercolors.

 
Posted by Picasa

Rocky Shore
 
Posted by Picasa

Seal Rock

This final painting I did mid-week and it totally drained me. It was really the peak of my painting in personal symbols. I can't really tell you where it came from, but it was like giving birth.

 
Posted by Picasa

Cummins Creek Bridge

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool! I like the patterns in the cliffs, but I like the bridge painting the best. I'm enjoying your patterns, more than I thought I would. I had a neat postcard of a painting when I was a teenager that was in a style similar to your new one, with bright colors, an interior view with a neat old dresser, a pot of flowers, and a fancy picture frame. I wish I still had it!
Mahealani

Anonymous said...

Aunt MSG,
I really enjoy your site, and think we need another of your paintings. How much for the one down the cliff? You are talented AND a great aunt.

Scott

Anonymous said...

Wow Margaret, you just keep turning out amazing art! I love all the colors you're using. My favorites are "Coastal Rhythms" and "Cummins Creek Bridge". Can't wait to see you in August!

Shari

Anonymous said...

Love all your new work. I could really see your efforts in creating patterns in the first two. The first one particularly. The bridge picture is my favorite with all the oranges and greens and reminding me of the Honoli'i Bridge. Your efforts continue to turn out beauty.
Petie

Anonymous said...

I loved your Coastal Rhythms and Rocky Shore along with the bridge painting; however, I did not care for the Plein Air Painter because the cliffs looked unnatural with lines almost evenly spaced. Also
Seal Rock's cliffs did not work for me.
My favorite was the bridge painting. Reminds me of Honolii.