"Crater Lake Cliffs"Oil on Panel
12x16"
2008
This painting was SO MUCH FUN to do!!
I've been putting off painting these cliffs for the past three years, thinking I wasn't good enough to do them justice. I finally got to the point where I just couldn't resist, and tackled them on a relatively small scale. And I'm so glad I did, because they were so much fun to paint! Everything came together, and this painting actually looked like I wanted it to look.
The funny thing is, as much as I love this painting, I haven't had an enthusiastic response from anyone else who has seen it. So, like I said in my post yesterday, you can never tell which painting will elicit the most response from people.
The cool thing is that it doesn't matter. I always love to paint, but it's the paintings like these, which are challenging and fun, that always keep me coming back for more. I talk a lot about goals and business on this blog, but only because keeping track of those things makes it possible for me to keep on painting as my job. And seriously, I don't think there could be a better job to have!
God, I know that feeling... LOVING the breakthroughs and feeling on top of the world and have no one else really get it. Here's what juices me about your painting: the rich rusty ochres of the foreground cliffs against the quieter, greyer cliffs just behind and the lavender ones behind that, anchored by the horizontal plane of the water below. The rocks in the lower right corner work GREAT to stop the eye and push us back into the painting. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI always admire your ability to use aerial perspective. The blues in the background mountains are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the most striking thing about this one is how dramatic the vertical lines of the cliffs are. I think it's a beauty.
Following up on a previous post, I'ld be interested to see a follow up about which camera you ended up getting and how you like it once you're using it. I've been thinking of getting a Canon G9, and was excited to read the responses you got.
I thought that was a good point in your last post. I can sometimes tell when a painting will be a hit and not stick around long. Other times I think that one will go over well and it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you had some cool response to this one. It has a lot of good color and the design is strong.
I love rocks and cliffs. Great work. You gave them a wonderful, solid feeling and a sense of atmosphere and place.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of loving your job!
Just yesterday I was talking with a dear friend - my first college art professor several decades ago. He told me how being an artist is the greatest gift of all. And how creating art has very literally saved his life and keeps him in touch with the infinite - God.
He is nearly 80 years old now and has gone through some very difficult times with personal tragedies and illness. But the shear joy of creating art makes his eyes glow with joy and wonder.
You, Stacey, and the rest of us who are called to be artists have been blessed with a great gift. Thank you for showing us how to to celebrate it.
Ugh - I just wrote this really thoughtful response to all of your comments, and then blogger ate it!! Anyhow, thanks for the comments all - I think we all identify with feeling on top of the world after a breakthrough. The best part is that it doesn't matter if no one else gets it!
ReplyDeleteI will begin with, I love your work! You use my favorite colors, they are soft and atmospheric(is that a word?) I stumbled across your blog and begin reading your posts. It was like you were in my head. I too love waking up in the morning knowing I will paint that day. There are paintings I do that I love and don't understand why others don't see what I see. And there are paintings I don't particulary like when finished and they are liked. Being an artist is a daily learning experience.
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