Amy DiGi: Sailboat Prints

Amy DiGi: Sailboat Prints

Beach Fluff

Being inspired by Liz Wiltzen's 100 paintings in 100 days self imposed challenge, I'm encouraged to more Plein Aire on small canvases... The experience is exhilarating, humbling and rewarding all at the same time. This quick study on the local dunes, on a very hot day, came to me easily. Not to be fooled... the next day grounded me once again. Will keep on for the excitement of it all.file:///Users/roseann/Desktop/Beach%20Fluff%204x6%20oil-board%20R.%20Albanese.jpg

So today we met at a cute park with a pond. This tree called to me. It was gnarled and twisted reaching upward to a very sunny hot sky. I loved the sun peeking though the branches. As usual I couldn't do this majestic tree justice. We had a nice morning but had to leave early as the heat was climbing and it was getting unbearable.

On this morning I met my friend at a favorite spot called the Captree Overlook. This being our first outing of the season, we were determined to do whatever it takes to get started. Unknown to us, with a change in season, the wind was still involved in "sweeping away" all signs of winter. So we were caught up in a vortex of wind filled with sand. Stoically, we persevered, laughed and enjoyed. Sand was in my paint, on my canvas, in my brush as well as in my mouth and clothes. We persevered. I love the results. It has been added to my collection. It has a story, so it's worth more than the sum of it's parts.

Humility through a child's eyes

Ok, today I encountered a difficult subject and situation. The group was at a tiny park with a very small trickling brook obscured with huge bushes of orange daylilies. To add to my consternation, three classes of 6 year old students arrived to have their morning of games and snacks exactly on the same spot.

The little ones had so many questions about brushes, paints and the easel, I figured it was better to enjoy their questions and cheerfully answer them. Having no other choice, (if you can't beat them, join them) I became part of their class and started teaching them how to magically produce "green" from blue and yellow and purple and orange. Of course we all became friends, (I was transformed into a magician) my painting was lost, but we all had a super time. These little ones were so complimentary of my meager efforts and were excited to see my canvas mimic the scene. Some of them actually were able to identify the scene with glowing approval.

If we all could see through a child's eyes, life would become simpler and clearer. I learned my lesson today. Keep it simple, clear and put your heart and soul into it, then wait for the approving audience. They are out there, waiting for the right picture.

An Artist's Journal

Well, posting my thoughts is not comfortable for me. So I've decided to just ramble on with whatever thoughts come to me.

I'm having second thoughts about a portrait commission and how the folks who commissioned it will receive it. I gave it my all and had it critiqued by a respected portrait artist I know and he was extremely dead on with what to do to alleviate some of my concerns. It is of an absolutely beautiful blue-eyed baby girl. Her pose was from a small photo taken professionally. Not having met this child, which is always the best of circumstances, the small photo downloaded on the computer was all I had to go with.

I love painting and putting my personal slant onto the subject, whether it is a person, place or thing. It's times like these that make it difficult to feel good about the outcome. All who have seen it, professional artists, friends and all love the result. So that is all I have to go with now. So much uncertaintity!!