Light In The California Landscape

California Landscape (Capitstrano Beach Area)

I was attracted to this scene because of the light.  I enjoy trees (they all have different personalities) but it was the shadows and light that I wanted to describe.   Also as the trees branches are moving upward there is this light and color that brush the tips…  It’s curious how one scene will grab you over another…

I was also working with the upbeat under painting and I wanted that hint of color to be part of the process…  It always a pleasure for me when light, dark, color, and composition come together.    



Painting and Music a Great Combination

The majority of this work especially the body of the tree was painted with a palette knife. This painting has a strong textural quality due to the thick paint and knife strokes

I was listening to blues and jazz music and this landscape is what surfaced. The music didn't make me feel melancholy but you knew the singer was digging deep from a soulful place... I guess you can say trees, music, and art carry me to a special place. Today was just good day to paint.

Etsy Updates:
Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month and it's a great time for a virtual art walk on Etsy. The following are some of my favorite art teams and their links:
Finding Fine Art Team - You'll find art in every genre and medium!

Art Walk Etsy Team

Fine Art Friday Team

Art, Recovery and Healing

I appreciate different styles, mediums, and subject matter in art. At times I’m drawn to the execution of the work and other times the emotion. Earlier today I posted the following regarding trauma survivors and art:

“I do want to applaud the survivors of crime and victimization. It always amazes me, what the human spirit can withstand and continue with a productive life way beyond a trauma. Perhaps that is the reason I enjoy arts and crafts it has that personal bright light. It has the spirit that makes the world spin.”

My general feeling regarding art is it has an ability to be a cathartic vehicle for healing. I appreciate survivors of catastrophic illness, drug addiction and abuse that channel their experiences. The emotions in the work are sometimes raw but authentic and they come out on the other side with the help of their artistic exploration. I’m not a doctor but if creating art helps a person heal, it's a good thing.

I’m not a member of the following web sites but they look interesting and explore art and recovery:
Survivors Art Foundation
Alcoholic Outsider Artist Blog
Healing Through Creativity
Sober Artists

Etsy News, Updates and New Treasuries:
JFoxStudio created Fine Art for A Friday treasury. This treasury has an eclectic mix of fine art.

Ruthsartwork created Mauve and Green Winter Cheer Up
It's a lovely mix of fashion, accessories, and art.

JewelrybyNala created Bring a Smile treasury. It has fun and interesting fashion accessories, jewelry, and art.

Art, Recovery, and Capturing the Moment

The news has had a lot of coverage regarding recovery and sobriety. I found this interesting blog “Alcoholic Outsider Artist.” It’s one man’s way of dealing with the issue. It’s great to see how other artist’s express themselves. It feels as though the artist with a stroke of the brush is capturing his experience.

Although I’m not an outsider artist, my goal is to be present and capture the subjects and moments that are important to me. My guess is I'm not alone in this area.