I like to break out of my painting habits. Occasionally.
It’s true, I like what I like, have a wheelhouse of subject matter, like most artists do, but there is a secret silly joy in tackling an unknown genre. For me, it’s landscape. It’s a few other things too but I’ll save that for another post. Landscapes are so beloved, sell well for a reason, are the darlings of many galleries and the proud owners who bring them home. I love them too. I just have never loved painting them. Part of it is the palette. All that brown and green and brown. And brown. Seascapes are another matter, ocean, sky, oh my. But the sturdy landscape has always left me feeling like I need to paint a barn or cows or something more pastoral than I’m familiar with. And the irony is that I live with a pretty good view. One that many people have suggested, demanded, why don’t you paint that? Because…it’s so green and brown and tree like?
Well guess what? Brown hills can be millennial pink! Or lilac and aubergine. Or both! These trees wanted to be green but how liberating to paint a red rolling hill. Not sure if this will be just an experiment in doing something new or if I’ll take another stab at it but doing something new out of my comfort zone into the awkward is so good and refreshing and vital to move me through the peaks and valleys of being a full time working artist. xo
“Peaks & Valleys” 11×14″ $250 email me for details
