Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

11/15/2012

I begain working on this painting last week. Right now the colors on the trees outside my window are really beautiful. I was inspired by them but I definitely was not happy with this painting. So I put it aside until I knew what to do next. This is all new for me. Usually, I finish a painting right away and if I get stuck I stay stuck. But I am learning to be patient. As I look back, I realize that it takes time to really get good at something and luckily, I have lots of time.

This is what I worked on today. I like it better but the painting still needs something. So I will wait again and see what I am inspired to do next. I am open for any suggestions you may have.

I painted this in my art class several weeks ago. I love the soft colors of pastel but this class is all about using a different medium and seeing how it feels and looks. I used acrylics when I painted this. Although the subject matter is the same, the painting definitely has a different look and feel to it. It's interesting to line them up like this and to compare not only how they look but how they make me feel.

And this is what I am grateful for this week. The beautiful colors of fall. Every time I look at the leaves, I am inspired to take a minute and look some more. Each day I am sure that the colors have peaked but the next morning they are even prettier. The first fall that I retired I kept telling everyone that it was the prettiest fall I had ever seen. Then it dawned on me that it was the first fall I had really been able to appreciate in a very long time. When you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, you miss a lot of things. If I could do things over, I wouldn't miss the beautiful colors of fall. But I have learned something else since I have retired. What counts is the present. Not the past, not the future, but the present. So this week I am very grateful for this fall. It is truly a gift that I appreciate. What are you most grateful for this week?

I have linked my post with Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day two wonderful places to meet inspiring artists.

20 Comments

Gloria J Zucaro link

11/15/2012 02:07:51 pm

I like the way it is progressing Ginny. The addition of the other two trees really makes a difference in composition, doesn't it. Which do you like better, the really high color one, or the one you are working on now?

Lynn

11/15/2012 03:32:37 pm

Patience paid off..with even more beautiful fall color...& I like those roads in the bottom painting with its brilliant colors! I agree with your sentiments too. Be here now! HPPF!

Tracey Fletcher King link

11/15/2012 03:49:58 pm

those brilliant colours are just singing... and I look forward to seeing the other one in its final version... it is lovely as it is...xx

Mary Walker link

11/15/2012 07:06:07 pm

I like the color saturation of the one you made in class Happy PPF!

Anne link

11/15/2012 08:00:31 pm

Nice progress you are making, really like the your work is developing! Love the soft colors of your pastel, but also the energetic brights on your other painting!

carlarey link

11/15/2012 08:33:38 pm

Your post reminded me of something my own art teacher said. We were all commenting on what a beautiful Autumn it has been here, more so than usual, and that the color has lasted a lot longer. The teacher said, "It's not that this Fall is any more beautiful, it's that you have all learned to look at it differently." It's true, we are all looking at it as painters now.

I think my teacher would recommend just a bit of darkness in the painting to show where the grass gives way to the foliage in the distance, a bit of a smudgy slightly darker line to suggest fallen leaves and shadows at the base.

Carolyn Dube link

11/15/2012 09:01:31 pm

Love the addition of the 2 little trees- this painting reminds me of a parent and 2 little ones! Can't wait to see where it goes next! Happy PPF!

Kat link

11/15/2012 09:54:55 pm

Hello Ginny, yes I agree that those colors "sing" love that expression! It's such a great colorful piece, would brighten up anyones day! Your art is always such a pleasure to see, so inspired by what you appreciate and it has feeling because of that. I love coming here and sharing with you!

Annette G

11/15/2012 11:00:29 pm

Smashing paintings and so different from each other. Happy PPF, Annette x

Marji link

11/16/2012 12:38:02 am

So interesting to see the differences in color intensity in the two meduims. I like the addition of the two trees to the top painting. It definately upped the interest. Beautiful work. Happy PPF

Julie link

11/16/2012 02:34:03 am

I really like the softness of your pastel piece and I love the vivid bright colors of the acrylic piece. I agree with you about the present moment and I have been reminding myself to live that way .

Terri Morse link

11/16/2012 03:09:17 am

I love the two trees in the mid ground of your second photo. The way you have depicted them with partially bare branches is wonderful. The branches are so lacy and delicate. Beautiful work! -Terri

sharon link

11/16/2012 03:32:31 am

I agree with the others the colours are sing out loud. Wonderful sentiments too

Jessica Sporn link

11/16/2012 06:02:45 am

beautiful oranges - capturing the season perfectly. Happy PPF!

Carola Bartz link

11/16/2012 06:57:15 am

I can so understand what you wrote about the fall colors and how you felt when you first appreciated them. I was always wondering why some people get so crazy about fall. Then I had my daughter and chose to stay home - and finally I got it! Before that, I left for work in the dark and came home in the dark. But with my daughter, I enjoyed the wonderful colors during the daylight, and it was so gorgeous.
I love your painting of the "round trees", it looks so peaceful. I could imagine a deer or some other wildlife there as well.

Rita Barton link

11/16/2012 08:28:02 am

Love your moment of gratitude. Fall colors are magical...we don't have them here in Southern California as in other places but if you know what to look for it's magic here, too. Lovely drawings. Happy PPF!

sandra sherman link

11/16/2012 08:12:13 pm

What beautiful autumnal colours you have painted. It's nearing summer here in Australia so not much of that here at the moment

Kat Sloma link

11/16/2012 11:50:15 pm

I love your perspectives on learning and time, using the present. I think your changes to the painting made a big difference. The only idea I have, what if the trees overlapped more? I really like the acrylic one. Of course I always like bright colors! Happy PPF!

Karen Smithey link

11/17/2012 01:07:40 am

The one this I miss about living in Michigan where I grew up is the wonderful fall colors...

I'm having a giveaway over at Art in the Garage to celebrate my 1000th post--hope you can stop by and leave a comment!

Linda K

11/17/2012 06:04:39 am

your autumnal scenes are really beautiful-gotta love those gorgeous rich colors of the season. Happy PPF!

Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

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