More Spring on a Winter Day

This one is acrylics on canvas sheet, matted and framed 11 x 14" under glass. It will be part of the Silent Auction for Cincinnati Nature Center's "Nature's Symphony" benefit on Friday night April 30th at Krippendorf Lodge in Rowe Woods on Tealtown Rd. (also a great place for hiking)

I took the photos that inspired this painting last March or April. Once, long ago, the Krippendorf's held "Daffodil Days" to benefit war veterans.

Spring on a snowy day

One thing I enjoy about being an artist is the ability to be in spring on the snowiest of winter days!

"What is essential is invisible to the eyes" said Antoine de Saint Expury.

True, I think, and a challenge to the visual artist. When we like (love?) a painting, I suspect it's because it connects with us on this "unseen" level.

Today vs. May

It's STILL snowing. It's been a long time since I can remember it snowing for more than 24 hours without stopping.

Here's what it looks like out my kitchen window vs. the little study I did last May.

"Becoming," said artist Paul Klee, "is superior to being.

In his Painter's Keys eNewsletter, artist Robert Genn says "you need to see your art as a state of becoming. Vigilance and attentive observation during work in progress provides the opportunity. The process takes place with individual works, over a lifetime of trial and error." In art as in life. Laissez le bons temps rouler!

Where have I been?

Why haven't I blogged for the last few weeks? Not because I haven't been painting! Home portraits like this one have been keeping me busy and, fortunately, snowstorms and snow days don't prevent me from working on them.

Because I plan to hike into the Grand Canyon this summer, I have been walking 60-90 minutes every day, no matter what the weather. What a blessing and an inspiration this has turned out to be! My life is enriched by spending more time outdoors. Last night I walked with "birders" for the first time and tried to train my eyes to look for birds without binoculars. Looking is what it's all about for a painter and even though I seldom take my camera, I can feel the beauty I'm seeing this winter being absorbed in my heart, mind and soul.

Discovering all that our local Hamilton County Park District offers is a joy and a revelation. It's a great new year.