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11/17/09

Glen Ellen Street Scene



Glen Ellen, California
Three different versions of the same view.
I have already posted the two paintings, and I always think it is fun to compare a photograph of a location with my sketchbook version. The sketchbook version is always the closest to how the place really felt to me. The "serious" paintings are always a little too "dressed up".

In my sketchbooks a few little marks can remind me later of how a place smelled, felt, sounded (tasted, but I'm trying not to blog about food all the time) and how I REALLY thought it looked. A snap shot is just that - a SNAP shot. It just doesn't take long enough for me to engage all the senses.

Carrying a sketchbook around (and PAINTING in it) is such an enjoyable part of my life! It enriches everything. When your life influences your art, your art influences your life - or something like that.

Just paint - you don't even have to show anyone. But you'll probably want to.
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6 comments:

  1. Sydney10:47 PM

    I just want you to know I have been checking your blog almost daily over the past year. I love your style of painting and really enjoy reading your comments. I live in Portland, Oregon and I, too, love sketching and doing watercolors in my sketchbook. I was wondering if you ever teach classes out this way? I'd love to be able to take one. And I just wanted to say THANKS for sharing what you do!
    Sydney Stocks
    Portland, Oregon

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  2. Sydney10:51 PM

    I think I just sent you a message - but I am not very computer-literate! Anyway, I was just saying how much I love your blog - thanks for sharing it! I live in Portland, Oregon but almost feel like I know you from reading your blog. I love your painting style and I, too, love sketchbooking!
    Sydney

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  3. Anonymous10:54 PM

    1I love your blog

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  4. annie12:14 PM

    I feel the same about you as Sidney--that I know you from your blog (I even made me a tiny Altoids 5-palette mini sketch box with your pigments).

    I hear you when you talk about making sketches, and that applies to me, as well, and also when looking at them-- I really get a tickle watching how people sketch some happy little things in their lives. It makes me feel I am right there.

    So thanks from me, too.
    annie

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  5. Catherine9:53 PM

    Thanks to Sydney, Annie, and Anonymous for your nice comments! I have never done any workshops on the west coast - I stick pretty close to home because we are in a tourist area and the tourists and the summer people keep me pretty busy. However, I hear the Portland area is beautiful!

    Annie, how do you like your mini palette? I use mine all the time.

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  6. annie11:23 PM

    I have just begun to use it, Catherine. I don't have a Manganese Blue so I am using a Holbein Peacock Blue in its place, for the time being. I don't know how much difference that makes between my purples and what you get, but the Peacock and Quin Rose do make lovely shadows.

    I never used a Quin Rose before-- I do love it-- or that light yellow green, so I am having fun playing with them. Your foliage always looks so fresh. That is why I have made myself this kit,that and because it's cute as a bug's ear.

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