Friday, February 7, 2014

Thinking Summer thoughts, Warm thoughts

"Kayaks"
8" x 8" encaustic on panel


This winter in Chicago is one of the coldest and snowiest that has been recorded, ever. I know it's not usually like this and I have to admit, it's starting to get on my nerves! Walking my dog is a problem, his paws sting from the chemicals in the salt on the treated sidewalks and it's just too cold to go out for any length of time. I can hardly wait for the summer warmth and sun to return.

I decided to paint one of my photos from the local beach I walked past daily when I lived on the east coast. I was attracted to the colors more than anything else although the composition of the stacked boats with the cast shadows was also eye catching. It was a good sign when I posted this painting on Facebook and one of my friends said her kayak was the middle yellow along with the smaller blue to the right, the fact that she recognized them made me feel good. I may have to continue to paint the colors of summer just to give myself the illusion of warmth. Stay warm, everyone.

12 comments:

  1. Keep on painting summer... maybe it will get the hint and get here! How cool that your friend recognized her kayaks.

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    1. This has been a terrible winter for most of the country, Deborah. I am going to think spring and try and stay warm, this usually means I choose warm tones in my paintings (golden yellows) and the colors of sunset. Warm thoughts :)

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  2. The composition and colors are very attractive, the shapes add to it as well, it is a compliment for your work from your friend!

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    1. Bright, bold colors, make me think summer, sailing, boating, beaches… padmaja I am unsure what kind of weather patterns you have where you live but it's been brutal here!

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  3. Wonderful colors and composition. I'm still blown away by your encaustic work. I love the winter but admittedly it is from the vantage point of indoors. So magical to me. Yes, it has been darned cold this winter and at least two of my 4 dogs keep trying to lift their feet out of the icy snow so I know it bothers them (this is new this year) too. For some reason, this is how I remember the winters when I was kid.

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. I am in the process of working out teaching an encaustic workshop in one of the Chicago suburbs, next week once I have details let me know if you are interested (although I will probably blog about it), maybe you can learn how to paint with wax. I remember winters being like this too, part of me doesn't mind. A very small part.

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  4. I love everything about this painting Robin. Your colors and that sky are especially wonderful.

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  5. Good to hear from you, Nancy. I have wondered how you are doing with encaustic. I think the way I get the most out of colored wax is to highlight it with oil pastels, this piece was all about the color.

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  6. When I saw you post this on Facebook Robin- it lifted me up! The colors, composition and subject matter definitely took me out of the winter blues. Well done.

    Here's to warmer days.

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  7. This has been the winter from hell, Pamo! Art has always been the way I end up coping with difficult times for example, like the terrible winter we are all having. An escape to another place, that's what I wanted to provide with this piece. Glad it worked for you.

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  8. I love this painting--I might have to stare at it tomorrow when the predicted snow and ice come my way. Stay warm.

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    1. The colors are the same in sailing flags, all summer long there are bright primary colors on a sunny day, think about that when the storm arrives, stay warm too.

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