Sometimes it just takes persistence... Doing the things we love


"Canoeing in fresh water #2"
 8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)   
Acrylic on canvas pad


OK, I just had to repaint it! I started over on a new canvas, and this is the result.
I learned that I have a hard time making my brush strokes rich and generous, the way I like it when I see other people’s work.  I tend to play it safe diluting the paint. I started from scratch and forced myself to load that brush more.  Not quite where I’d like it yet, but I like number two better. And you know what? I think I improved, and that must be  a GOOD thing. :)

 “You may never know what results come of your action,
but if you do nothing there will be no result”
Mahatma Gandhi
 

A nice canoe ride with a good friend paddling along in a beautiful scenery. What a dream. I could not resist trying this painting challenge for the ‘Monthly Painting Challenge’.
I fell in love with the color of the water in the reference picture, and tried to reproduce it in a colorful joyful way. I realize now that the canvas has a lot of vertical threads that affected it quite a bit. Maybe I should have used heavier brushstrokes…  well, it’s too late now! This will have to do. :)

On a personal note, lately I have been a little of a slacker. I did not paint often, even though I have quite a few works in progress on my easel… a lot going on in May, children’s activities and big events, my volunteering commitments, plus I took advantage of any sunny hours in these very rainy weeks to catch up with gardening. So, I’ve been a slacker only in reference to painting, in fact I've been busy with other things that I love to do. What to ask more? Maybe a canoe ride?  ;)

A happy life is one which is
in accordance with its own nature.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Comments

  1. I am working on a new version of this painting. I really liked the reference photo and I am not very satisfied with the outcome. So, I'm giving it another try. :) Amazingly it's coming out very similar to the first one, (I might really have a personal style, and I don't even know it!) but I think I like it better... so far. We'll see. :)

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  2. I love the colors, very luminous, especially the water.

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  3. Thanks Horst, I tried to keep it fresh. Mixing the water colors from my limited palette was at the same time a challenge and a lot of fun. :)

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  4. Robie I can see the difference thick paints made to your second attempt.The water looks so wonderful.

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  5. Thanks Yasha. Since I like to work with only the seven basic colors and mix them up to get the color I need, it's tricky when I have to stop painting and then mix again the same color after several hours... it kind of give the water many interesting shades, doesn't it? ;))

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  6. I remember the having that realization, "I think I might have an artist style, but I'm not sure what it's going to be!" Exciting thing to discover!

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    Replies
    1. It sure is exciting to discover if you have an artist style and what it might be. Though a few years later I'm still working on it... well, learning and growing is exciting too :)
      thanks for your nice comments Word Weaver Art!

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