Heart in the Mountains

Heart in the Mountains

Oil on canvas, 16x16

commission

A while back, I received an email from a person who'd stumbled onto my blog on a day when I'd mentioned my blank-canvas paintings, and showed a photo of one of them. She was at a place in her life where the blankness of the canvas called out to her, and she was interested in having one of these in her life.

This was pure delight to me! I love making these paintings, but it's impractical to bring them to shows. They are just too fragile for the loading and unloading, people's dirty fingers, and the miles bumping over American highways in the van. So to sell one on commission, that's just perfect. 

***

 

One of the things I enjoy about living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is my frequent brushes with incredibly gigantic pieces of farm machinery. I rarely have any idea what these things DO - but I find myself strangely attracted to them. I have no idea why. So, here's one I saw on Route 13 the other day. Isn't it amazing? 

***

Dog of the Day

Woodreau, crashed out after a long day of barking, digging and defending the property. 

***

A Final Thought

"Painting is a means of self-enlightenment."

- John Olsen

Neighbors - and Your Thoughts

Neighbors

Oil on canvas, 18x18

sold

Honestly, it's a little difficult to pinpoint why I love these empty paintings so much. First, I think, is the strength of the light. It is unimpeded by trees or hills or mountains or backgrounds. The light in the paintings is direct and bright, and the white of the canvas emphasizes that directness. 

Second, I think they appeal to me because they invite me, and anyone looking at them, to complete them. In your mind, it could be a sunny day, or the light could be coming underneath the clouds on a winter afternoon. There could be cars, or an ocean, or mountains in the background. There could be anything - and your mind and mood and spirit will supply that anything. 

I do like this one with the little bit of sky. 

Here's what some of you said. There are more comments on my Facebook page (click here to check them out). 

Galen  Like all art , it is an opinion. Does someone's opinion make it good/better? It is totally up to the artist.

Catherine

I like the painting, however, I don't like just bare canvas showing through - even a color wash ? would be preferable to ME!!!! Bonnie I don't think every painting has to touch  All sides and down to the frame  I leave some of my watercolors with A lot of white space.   I think it adds intrigue and makes the viewer wonder about  that white space  Ron van Gogh I didn't see a comment box on my screen, but for what it's worth, I really like this painting the way it is. Tiffany I love the houses. Can't tell there beach houses. It's kinda neat that you can put them anywhere. But I would not buy this painting. Heather I have to say that I really like the sketchy lines, and the whole thing is growing on me more and more.  I like the composition.  I like the extra space. Maxine I liked the painting..for me, you said what you wanted to say. Paula You are remarkable; loved the beach houses. It's finished. What's next?  *** Dog of the Day Muppet Ammenheuser lives in Nashville. His owners decided to get him, a purebred Bichon, after meeting our dog, Gus, about 17 years ago. *** Happy Birthday!  July 3 is my brother's birthday! Happy Birthday, Rand!  *** Don't forget the Amagansett Fine Arts Festival, coming up this weekend in Amagansett, NY!