"Water's Edge"

Here is the finished painting that I fiddled with a couple days ago (mentioned in this earlier post).
http://art-a-day.blogspot.com/2015/01/graphics-work.html

Alas, it looks to be a new painting with not much recall of the original study. But I am happy with it. These lovely ponds are tucked in the Amon Basin off Leslie Road. I hiked in a short distance to find this viewpoint. Not much was happening this day, until 2 bicyclists came zooming past and startled me. For the most part it was just me and the water and the ducks and the sage and the rabbit brush and the trees. A lovely soliloquy for a winter's day. Perhaps I will return there again soon to see what nature provides. Softer colors I'm sure.

"Water's Edge" in it's final revision. 9x12 oil on board, ©Laura Gable

Scroll Project, Killing a Field Study, and Graphics Work

Today I finished a 7" section on the remainder of my scroll, completing 21 total scroll "entries". A large sheet of Velin Arches will hold me over till the watercolor roll arrives. (I found an inexpensive Canson roll on Ebay. It's quite long, so this scroll project may continue for awhile.) Will post progress soon.

The studio beckoned and so I went in and massacred another painting. Reworking a field painting isn't the best of ideas. (somebody stop me!!) But often there's something just not quite right about it, so "tweaking" is in order. Today's painting was the 3rd revision. Maybe it looked better to begin with…. sheesh.

"Water's Edge" 9x11 oil on board, ©Laura Gable
This is revision 2 …I will post todays debacle here once I get it photographed. 

I'm designing this year's Artwalk Bookmark, and today I completed the proof. If I get these ordered quickly, perhaps we can have them by the next Art Walk on the 5th. Thanks to Cindy Rutherford for the front panel artwork. The artists featured on the back are: Anastasio Pena, Melanie Thompson (both at You & I Framing), DS Watkins (at DS Watkins Studio), Susan Schmieman (of Weave Your 'Art Out), and a portrait of my dad (at my Laura Gable Studio). 

2015 Artwalk Bookmarks, front (©Cindy Rutherford artwork image)

2015 Artwalk Bookmarks, back   ©images are the copyright of the artists:
(Anastasio Pena, Melanie Thompson, DS Watkins, Susan Schmieman, Laura Gable)

Misty Winter Vista

We planned an outing out to the Horn Rapids area off Snively Road yesterday--the weather forecast promised a break in the clouds and warming trend. Even though I checked 3 different weather apps, they all proved incorrect. There was a low hanging fog about, and quite damp and chilly. But a couple of us plein-air types braved the cold anyway. Plus we had 2 others that aspired to be there, but were not able to attend for a variety of reasons. (My snow pants came in handy ;-)

The muted greys are quite beautiful out there on these overcast days. I have a new appreciation for our temperature inversions. In the sky near the horizon I could see orangish tints where Rattlesnake Mt softly emerged, and the subtleties of greyed color in the terrain was intriguing, where I found notes of hidden lavenders and muted greens. Nary a sound to be heard, save the occasional bird call and sporadic traffic sounds from the Vantage Highway. Pristine, serene, and sacred was the take-away this day.

"Misty Winter Vista" 10x10 oil on board, ©Laura Gable

Amon Basin Marshes

Yesterday I had an opportunity to paint en plein air. As I was heading south on Leslie Rd, the sun peeked out from behind it's cloud cover, and my car veered left toward Amon Basin Preserve. There is this lovely pond there on both sides of the wide path. I set up looking towards the north and did a quick painting. I like the drama of the water in the foreground as it went almost dark purple then faded towards the soft marshes in the back. The reflections were stunning and the distant trees very soft. After about an hour, when the sun ducked out again, my scene quickly changed and it was time to stop. Nature has a way of keeping us from being too fussy!!

"Amon Basin Marshes" painted plein air 1-7-14, 8" x 10" oil on board, ©Laura Gable

My scroll project continues with an "entry" a day. I've got a couple days left on this first roll of paper, then I will post my progress. I'll continue it for the 30 days, but will need a couple more rolls of paper. I may have to get resourceful here.

January 31, it's a wrap

The past couple days of January were spent doing a field study and then some studio work to complete. The few days of sunlight got me wanting to wander out and paint. Though a bit breezy, I did paint briefly in the truck -- a bit cramped and messy! It was fun to study the scene though and just get down a few preliminary strokes before heading to the studio.

There's a lovely sheltered path that passes under a high embankment of trees along the Columbia River off Columbia River Park Trail. Perhaps you will recognize it. The river laps the shoreline, nourishing the abundant eco-system there. I was thrilled to see a figure in bright yellow walk into the scene, and got a shot of him before he disappeared into the shadows. (Follow the progression of the painting below, final is shown last) 

Field Study - "River's Pause", 8x10 oil on board, ©Laura Gable
I got down just enough color to suggest the scene. I enjoy the freshness of this piece.

FINAL: "River's Pause", 8x10 oil on board, ©Laura Gable
(The scene was refined a bit, small strokes added, focal point adjusted, colors and value adjusted.)

Here's the best awareness for the month -- the most rewarding part of art for me is the disappearing into the process of creating ... Moving into that space where time seems to be suspended. May you find magic in these moments like I have.

Thanks for journeying with me. I enjoy the creative interaction, seeing what others are up to in their processes, and value the comments we've shared. Thanks so much Bobi for making this available to us again, and for guiding our steps. You are a jewel.

Visit me on my personal blog if you want, I'll post there throughout the year. http://lauragable.blogspot.com

Clover Island Stroll

"Clover Island Stroll" 11x14, oil on board, ©Laura Gable

Today was the perfect day to complete this unfinished plein air study. It was started on a lovely September day on Clover Island here in Kennewick, WA. The island has been going through a facelift over the past few years, with the addition of the lighthouse and these lovely foliage lined curving paths with boardwalk viewing bump outs. Though it was a breezy day that started out with intermittent sprinkles, it turned into a bright sun filled afternoon ... perfect for painting lighthouses. This pair of friendly walkers happened by at the right time so we can get a sense of scale of the vertical shapes.

Today's effort involved adding the figures, and refining the shape of the trees and clouds, plus altering the colors on the lighthouse and pathway. I'm wanting to do more in this series. Hopefully it will warm a bit so an outdoor excursion is possible ... or I will dig through my photographs to find a worthy candidate to paint. So that's the day's awareness ... paint in a series.

This was shared by my friend recovering from hip surgery, and it feels very fitting for this painting: "God is good, He widens our path so we don't stumble." May you have wide clear paths today.