Where Rustic Living Meets Refined Elegance

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Barncasso? I don't think so

Well I've discovered a new passion.  And it's consuming my every waking thought. Wait make that EVERY thought as I even dreamed about it last night.

Oil Painting.
Sigh.....
My mother has painted since I was little and paints beautifully, although like all true artists she is her own worst critic and says she's "not very good".  Ridiculous! Anyhoo, I have many memories of coming home from school and stopping by her little studio room and saying hi and watching her paint.  I was always fascinated by the process. The colors mixed on the pallette transfered to canvas to become something to admire. Water drops on fruit that looked real. I loved it all.  Yet I never touched a brush.  Odd.  She never invited me to sit down and try it and I never asked.  Funny when I think about it. But for some reason it's become something I've really wanted to do.

Last month the Getty Museum had a Paris exhibit that I was determined to go see. So the Cowboy, being a good sport and never having gone to an art museum before went with me.  It was beyond spectacular!!!

Oh, yeah, here's a nice little Dega next to a Van Gogh. Just hanging out. 
 Breathtaking!!


Here the Cowboy admires a painting by a Dutch artist from 1635 of the biblical story of Joseph and Potapher's wife.  1635!! It's unbelievable.  And the depth of color is truly indescribable.  And many of the frames are original to the artwork so it's truly awe inspiring to see.  We spent probably the most time looking at the Dutch artists.  The Cowboy loved Renoir's work.  Go figure.  At 8:30 in the evening I was dragging him outta there.  We covered only 2 out of the 4 buildings and we can't wait to go back. 

 But that really did me in.  While sitting still, staring at a beautiful landscape by Corot I knew I had to start painting.  Who knows where it will go. I'm sure there will be many little canvas's painted over, put in drawers, hung in odd little spots in my home for my own pleasure, but who cares.  As long as I love it.   So far I haven't had the courage to make it past  the basic layer of sky, clouds and a little base horizon.  I keep going back to rework the clouds.  I found a guy on YouTube who does on line lessons who rocks! 
Tim Gagnon.

I've really relied on his videos for my cloud work and as soon as the wedding is over I'm going to do his online landscape course.
He seems to have a very easy teaching style and I really like his work.

So my mom donated a bunch of her old oils and I set up shop on a buffet in the dining room so that it's all easily accessible when I have a few minutes to do a little work.  I just move the tray and easel to the table and go to work and put it back when I'm done.
Distracting during the day when I'm supposed be doing other things.
But a distraction I can live with.

4 comments:

  1. Tamra- Maybe you already know this...and if you do just ignore me!;>) You know that Gagnon paints with acrylics and that is a whole different technique than painting with oils? Or does he do oil paintings too? I used to do a lot of acrylic painting and had to relearn how to paint (from when I painted as a young adult)..it is a whole different experience.

    Good luck...I'm so glad your hubby went with you...and it sounds like he surprised himself with how much he loved it! Hugs- Diana

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  2. Thanks Diana, yeah I've talked to him about this he said I could work with the oils but I've decided to go with acrylics for the lessons and then work back into oils once I've figured out layering and coloring.

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  3. The last time I painted anything was as a school girl. A year ago I decided to go for some oil painting lessons. I had seen some paintings of fruit that I loved but couldn't afford and I thought the only way was to learn to paint them myself. I have loved every single moment of it. Standing in front of that easel is pure therapy for me. I don't know if my paintings are any good, but my family thinks they are wonderful! Follow your dream! x Sharon

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  4. I have a feeling you are going to be very good at this.

    Jermaine

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