Someday
So I had to name this week’s painting “Someday” because…well…there are so many reasons! I will share the reasons and more in today’s post. But first, let’s say adios to 2020 (wahoo, right?) and helloooo to 2021.
Bye Bye Favorite Things
So in 2020, I decided to paint and write a blog post about a painting or drawing each week. I chose the theme of Favorite Things. You know, like the song from the “Sound of Music?” I have really enjoyed this year’s project and think it has helped me navigate this pandemic ridden world in which we now live. But, I am ready to try something new. And, like you I bet, I am ready to say buh-byeee to 2020.
Helloooooo
So this New Year’s project is called “Small Spaces and Special Places.” I have chosen this theme because, like you, I have been at home a lot. And, I have come to realize that there are so many wonderful places and spaces that I would like to paint!
In fact, one of the reasons I named this week’s painting “Someday” is I have said to myself a gazillion times, “Someday, I am going to paint that!” What is ‘that?’ It’s our hall bathroom. It’s south facing and the walls are a delicious, light teal blue. The light that streams in is (ever changing and) beautiful…rain or shine.
The fun thing is I could see myself painting this same spot over again. Except maybe next time, I’ll include our steam heat radiator loving kitty. Or maybe I’ll change the angle. Or maybe I’ll use a different colored hand towel. Who knows? I know lots of other painters have painted series (think Monet’s Haystacks) and there are so many ideas to imagine and paint.
Confession
OK I’ll share the other reason why I am painting indoor spaces right now. It’s just too darned cold in my amazing studio right now. So, bit by bit, I started bringing in paints, paper and lighting. And, my home is my “still life set up” for now.
I know I know, in the past, I mentioned that the cold would not deter me from painting out in my studio. I have a small heater and I was ‘used to’ painting in the cold while we were in Philly. The fact is, I guess I am not as tough as I used to be or this year has, perhaps, increased my wimp factor a bit. Whatever, I would not have painted this little painting this week had I not decided to paint here in the house. How is that for a big juicy rationalization?
Parameters
I want to share this year’s theme parameters. I plan to paint mostly in gouache for several reasons. First, I only need water to paint with gouache. This means if we’re traveling, I can transport paints and water and voila, be ready to go. Oh, I still will paint in oils but probably not as much as I have in the past.
In 2020, most of my paintings were 8×8 inches or smaller. But, in 2021, I will be painting in a rectangular format and limit it to sizes up to 8×6 or 6×8 inches. Not sure about you, but I find these types of parameters or restrictions free me up so I have one less question to ask myself as I start a painting. In other words, what size is my painting going to be, is already answered. Onward!
Stretch
So I guess since it’s nearly the New Year and we hope to do a bit more camping and outdoor adventures, I will share a stretch goal with you. EeeeK…this makes me a bit nervous. But I plan to do some plein air (fancy French word for outdoors) painting this year, too. Among other things, I will need to attempt to paint a bit more quickly (can you say changing light?). But whether a painting is indoors or out, I aspire to communicate light, color and whatever feeling or emotion is present in that moment.
If you think you or someone you know might be interested in following me on this new stretch adventure, sign up here. You will receive weekly posts with my latest paintings, indoor and outdoor, plein air adventures. Here’s to 2021 and Small spaces and Special places, too.
Your plans
How about you? What are your plans for the New Year? Are you taking on a new project or revisiting an old project with a different point of view? Please do share in the comments below.
Okay the link to the “Big Chill” rationalizations killed me! Nice to have a big chuckle and a desire to go back and watch that movie I just LOVED when it first came out. I’m probably going to cringe at thinking about how many times I checked that DVD or even video out of the library or some video store and watched that movie.
Love your plan for 2021, Julie! I find the art of spaces to be some of my favorites – interior landscapes. A painter I admire, Pat Vestal, lived in Boston (from Tulsa, OK) for a year or so and did a series of interior landscapes of their Brookline townhome that are so memorable to me. I bet she over accented the colors to bring my and other viewers’ attention to a particular corner or object in a corner, or by a window. Your painting in this post reminded me of that one by Pat. So I’m excited.
I only wish your paintings could be larger in your post. May not be possible but thought I’d at least ask.
Here’s to a MUCH better 2021, Beth
Hiya Beth! So glad you took the time to check out that link in the post. I love including a few surprises here and there. It’s awesome to know it made you laugh!!!
I will check out Pat’s work …when we get back from our first camping adventure.
In the meantime, I’ll send you a link with a larger version of the image. WordPress parameters suggest that I size images for the blog at 300 pixels wide. Any larger and it doesn’t seem to ‘play’ well. But thanks for letting me know. I’ll see what options might be available.
Yes…here’s to a better 2021 and thank you so much, as always, for reading and commenting here!
Your plans for 2021 sound exciting! Your idea to explore new subjects, new painting medium, and even new canvas size is so smart. I think experimenting is a great way to keep stretching (to use your aptly used term!) your art muscles. Years ago, I spent a summer painting landscapes and still lifes, sometimes with acrylics instead of oil, using only palette knives – something I had never done before – and when I returned to painting nudes with brushes, I felt freer and more at ease with experimenting with color.
Regarding what form my experimenting will take in 2021 is still a question mark. I’ve gotten interested in further blurring the edges in my work, getting away from sharp edges or at least thinking even more about form and light first, edge second. This has allowed me to take pleasure in the beauty I find in the blurriness.
Hi Alexandra, Wow – you are brave to work in palette knives. I have tried several times and have really felt as if I was painting with my hands tied behind my back. So – yay – for you.
I’m glad you are going to experiment on your paintings this year, too! I’ll be thinking of you as I pursue this new adventure here. Pretty sure you will find beauty in the bluriness and I look forward to seeing it! Thank you for reading and commenting here, Alexandra!!!