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Thursday, April 16, 2009

First Forsythia, 6x8 Oil, Plein Air


This is a wimpy photo (the blue of the water is much richer in person and the yellow stands out in more contrast, but I've fiddled and fooled around with the image I'm practically cross-eyed. I have been stuck in a storm of technology, appliance and auto crises, and I can hardly THINK let alone paint! Yesterday, on the long stretch of Metacom Avenue through Bristol and Warren that leads me to my studio, I kept hearing what I thought was a plane flying low overhead. Then I noticed I was hearing it every time I had to stop at a red light. Rolled down the window, and realized it was MY CAR. By the time I got to the studio it was making this grinding noise all the time, not just when I was stopping. So I crawled home at 20 mph (SORRY, anyone who was behind me!) and dropped it at the mechanic. The list of things that was wrong with my brakes went on.... and on... and now I'm car-less for a day. Sorry to unburden!

When I got home it was a gorgeous day - like a wind storm on the back side of the house - calm as can be on the front porch - so I hunkered down on the front steps and painted this less-than wonderful painting of an old forsythia. Behind the forsythia is the road, about 3 feet lower than the grass, and the sea wall that keeps the river from my steps. Bear in mind that it is the FIRST plein air attempt of the year!

14 comments:

  1. I LOVE this painting. The pallet you've used is right on. It always amazes me how a seemingly negative situation creates something unexpected and wonderful!
    The perspective is great and the color of the forsythia against the ocean blue is divine.

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  2. Out of bad cars...comes a beautiful painting. Nice work Kelley!

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  3. Beautiful, enchanting colors and composition. Lovely spring feeling, too. Excellent!

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  4. Sorry to hear about your car, this painting is gorgeous, you rock plein air

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  5. Right about the negative producing wonderful things, Maura, I agree! Too funny, Abby! Debbi and Amy - I love to hear from you, thank you so much!

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  6. What a beautiful front yard view. How can you paint anything else?

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  7. Congrats, Kelley, you made lemonade out of lemons! Your painting is beautiful!

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  8. This is such a beautiful panting Kelley! I just love it!
    Too bad about your car situation but you look what came out of it!!

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  9. You definitely achieved the depth of the street! I've seen that street and you got it. Anyway...plein air again tomorrow...watch out for those low-flying planes!

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  10. Thank you Manon and Paula - too funny - but you have to have the right attitude about these material things in this world! (Oh, did I mention that over the weekend I put a BIG CRACK in my glass stovetop?????)

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  11. Love this one Kelley, the colors are devine! I realize you are having a bad week, but, how lucky are you to live in such a beautiful place!

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  12. Well, I marvel at anyone who does plein air...no for me, but you certainly have the promise of spring in this painting.

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  13. I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at your excellent description of the "sound of a low plane overhead"...:D

    I hate technology and mechanical stuff and...and...and...

    Nice painting.

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  14. Oh...the car again... :(
    This is full of life. Great color harmony and atmosphere. I love those days. Cold on one side of the house. Toasty on the other. Looking forward to painting on your porch with you.

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