back to painting

I have been on a woodburning kick and feeling rather ho-hum lately. I have been recently re-inspired to get back to some figurative work so I worked on this one for a few days....

At the start of it, I thought it would be fun to take some WIP photos. Sadly, there is only one photo, and then the end result. Oops. By the time I remembered I was supposed to be taking progress photos I thought I was practically done with the piece, so I didn't bother. Ironically I ended up spending about another 4 or 5 hours on it. This is the one photo, thrilling isn't it? 

I am happy with the piece overall. I spent a really long time with the back and forth business in terms of contrast. I had a love/hate relationship with it for about half of the process. A lot of my paint style pieces lately, I usually feel like I know when it's done, or could possibly be done. I didn't ever feel that way with this one, so once I felt like it was mostly balanced, I put it down to wait until the next morning. The next morning came, and I looked at it and felt that it was done. So that's that.  It is titled "The Climb".

I am working on a very impulsive little 8x10 portrait now, it's the one in the foreground of this photo.

I worked like speed lightening on this yesterday morning while I had a whopping 15 minutes of free time.  When the 15 minutes were up, that is what it looked like.  

Going to work on it later tonight after the kids go to bed. And THEN, then I vow to complete the piece in the background. It's on my easel which means it will get worked on. This piece has cropped up on this blog a couple of times already, looking the same each time. I have grown to love it as is, and was half tempted to never touch it again, just, well, because.  But it's calling to me... so that is next. 

Lately I have been feeling extra invigorated and artistically inspired. Fun!

Lastly, I just wanted to mention that my blog will be remaining here on Blogspot. I made note (then not too long after, deleted the post) that my blog would be moving over to my new Wordpress site, but that will not be happening. I am using Wordpress more as a portfolio and official site for my work. There is a Recent Work scroller at the bottom of the homepage, that is where I will be adding all of my new pieces as they are complete.  Here is that site. I will definitely get some of those pieces here too, the ones that I want to talk about at least, but that site will have a more comprehensive view of my work. And also, there is my Facebook page too, which I have been more active with as well.

I also will be starting to hold regular giveaways of my work, and that will take place here on my blog. Little collections of prints and small originals will be up for grabs. Look for that soon. Promise!

That's all for now. Chat later. 

-Lauren