First Days of 2015

So far in January I've been doing a lot of writing, reading, journaling, note taking, sketching ideas and making lists. 

I've kinda been stuck in my head and spending a lot of time in the car. We just returned from an impromptu trip to Missoula, Montana to see 6 of our best friend's who all ended up moving there from Wyoming and South Dakota for various reasons. And the 10 days before Montanan, we were in South Dakota and Wyoming visiting family.

All this to say I'm just going to share one of my recently matted mini paintings, as I'm not quite ready to share my journals.

If you like my mini painting, be sure to check out ETSY as I will be posting several over the next few days.

Enjoy your Art-a-Day!!

Mini Flower Henna Design Painting

Three Aspens

"Three Aspens" 5x7 oil on panel, ©Laura Gable

The rocks were shimmering in this outcropping from a photo I took a few years back while traversing parts of Colorado. I failed to label the location. The sky was crystal clear, air redolent with pine and clouds had that cotton-candy quality. Pristine! The aspen trees were just starting to lose their leaves. Crowds flock to the mountains in late September to see the "colors" of these golden groves of white barked sentinels.

Am having fun doing these little almost-daily studies. My goal for a few days now has been landscape. And wiggling the brushes around in the oils again. I took a break for awhile from my oil paints late last year, so am enjoying this dalliance. Awarenesses arise while I work, and this day's was to make an effort to design the scene - not just paint what I see.  It's harder when working with the perfect photo (anyway I was pleased with this amateur shot I took). When you are outside and surrounded by the brilliance of the outdoors it is easier ... steal a tree from over there, move the clouds, let the scene dance about. A lifelong pursuit, I am sure.