peachy keen

10 x 10, oil on linen

"De-cluttering isn't just simplifying your life.

It's having a vision, setting new priorities

and using those notions to get rid of the obstacles."

Peter Walsh

essentia

Continuing my quest to simplify subjects and pare detail, I found this Robert Genn post to be an inspiring reminder of mindful intention. Making a list of what we seek is necessary because:

"a list is the unseen backbone of passion. 

A list gives the work the appearance of effortless creativity".  

 6 x 6, oil on linen

And keeping with that theme, last week I had the honor of studying with Atlanta artist Nancy Franke, Emphasizing the critical importance of regular drawing practice, our focus centered on avoiding unnecessary detail and capturing the essence or spirit of the subject - all of which had me pondering why learning to simplify can seem so darned complicated...

"Painting is shape, planes and form. 

The right color, the right shape in the right place. 

The purpose of drawing as a means to improve your painting

 is not to create outlines to be filled with color;

 that is not painting. 

The purpose of drawing well is to give you the freedom

 to be intuitive and spontaneous as you slash the paint. 

A belabored drawing, a delineated map of your subject locks you in 

but if drawing skills are so ingrained 

you need not worry about going out of the lines

 or losing your place."

Kevin Macpherson

winter's song

4 x 11, oil on linen

thinking out of the box (rectangle and circle) today,

inspired by winter's simple shapes

and soft light

"Nature is what we know 

yet have not art to say.

So impotent is our wisdom

to her simplicity"

Emily Dickinson

ocean child

10 x 10 oil on canvas

The ginkgo tree has been regarded for centuries as a symbol of hope, resilience and longevity because the trees have been known to thrive for as long as 2000 years. I have one in my back yard that proudly wears a beautiful shade of yellow all summer and fall. Then one day in November all the leaves suddenly drop to the ground - on the same day! It is a curious act of nature that creates a brilliant carpet of light and abstract art.

"I thought of art as a verb, rather than a noun.

Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90. 

Time is a concept that humans created.

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance."

Yoko Ono (who celebrates the numbers eight and zero today)

all you need is...

9 x 12, oil on linen

Some days are made for bright colors -
others ask for subtle neutrals.
And still others demand painting
on the "wrong" side of the canvas.
Just because.
Must be a February sort of thing?

"Love is old,

love is new.

Love is all,

love is you."

John Lennon 

hitherto haiku

I used to hate, loathe and despise winter (plus I didn't like it very much). And although I am still not a fan of the cold, I have grown to greatly appreciate the zen landscapes, subtle pastels and Earth at rest - so much so that it inspired me to celebrate another form of "minimal": haiku writing.

serene morning walk 

a blissful tranquility

the still of winter.

views unencumbered 

soft earth-tones in tranquil bliss 

quiet colors that soothe. 

sparse, unburdened trees 

seamless lines and simple shapes 

order and balance.

a silent repose

clamoring! a piercing trill

and crows laugh raucously.