Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

Painting Exercise Based on the Work of Ray Campbell Smith

Today's mission impossible:  Get Christine to simplify her paintings.  I tend to put a lot of detail in my work, which is not the generally accepted practice in watercolor where they truly live by the mantra that less is more.  So when we went to class, we were given the assignment of copying a painting that is more in keeping with this style.  While the instructor does not particularly like to use this method of teaching, apparently she was desperate enough to try it because some of us (that would be me) weren't getting it.  This was fun!  And I actually did the entire thing in one class period.  Phew!!  I'm going to try a few more to cement this process in my brain, and then I have a painting date with a beautiful photo we took in Florence, Italy along the Arno River.

Tea Time

"Tea Time"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Okay -- first painting upon returning to class this semester.  We were supposed to find "stuff" around the house that would provide a glimpse into something we like or that was important to us.  Mostly, I like tea.  But there are some times when the caffeine dependency moves this from the "like" category into "important."

Wes

"Wes"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

Several of us in class are doing portraits of one of our own who is unable to join us this semester due to illness.  We were inspired by a terrific gallery display at SAC featuring portraits of one person by a number of different artists.  Since Wes is so involved with the SAC gallery, we thought it would be fun to give him the same treatment and make him the subject for our paintings and drawings.  Hey, Wes -- you're missed!

Painting Water -- Maldives Sunset

"Maldives Sunset" (Watercolor)  C.Eastwood, ©2011

Back to class and it's time to learn to paint water -- how appropriate in a watercolor class, no?  We're starting with "still" water and will work up to "ripples."  The big finish will be "running water."  As I write this, it sounds a bit pathetic, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Calla Lily

"Calla Lily"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2011

I find myself fascinated by white flowers.  They're so very striking!

Assignment -- Copy a Master

"Bordighera" by Claude Monet  (25 1/2" x 32") On display at the Chicago Art Institute

Assignment -- Copy a Master  (Acrylic, 24" x 30")

Nostalgia time:   If you're going to do something crazy, at least make it worth your while.  This was the first painting class after a 38-year hiatus, and the final assignment was to copy a master.  Of course I picked Monet.  It was an interesting undertaking to say the least.  I lost track of how many trips across the studio I made in an attempt to get far enough away to see if it was working.  I think Monet's reputation is safe.  And I'm also reasonably certain that my next career will NOT be as an art forger.  But it was fun.

Still Life In Blue

"Still Life In Blue"  (Acrylic)  © C. Eastwood, 2009

This was actually one of my first paintings when I made the decision to try my hand once again.  I stuck it away at the time and just rediscovered it.  I can remember sweating bullets over the thought of painting a checked towel that reflected in the pitcher.  That's another good thing about taking a class...the instructor makes you paint things you wouldn't necessarily try on your own.