Daylilies

Daylilies

10x8 acrylic on masonite in plein air

Ahhh, the joys of tribulation! Sometimes paintings just flow and work out and it feels like you have somehow, in spite your depravity, found glorious favor with the Almighty God. What a wonderful feeling! It's too bad this state of being doesn't last forever.

The painting you see here has been through much working and re-working. I've added to it, I've taken away from it...but this is what I've finally settled on. Am I happy with it? Hmmm...well, I'm happy with parts of it. My first initial struggle was that it looked like something from a Disney cartoon. I'm not sure where I went wrong...most likely, it was a culmination of several things: wrong values, exaggeration of colors...the list could probably go on.

However, after some advice and perseverance, I think I've finally come to a place of finality with the painting...maybe. I haven't signed it yet, so we'll see. Sometimes it helps to take a break from a painting when it seems like every brush stroke is a struggle. Come back later and get a fresh perspective.

I would like to thank Harold and Leslie Frontz for allowing me along with Plein Air Carolina to come to their home and studio to paint, and for the great tips. What a blessing to have those who are more experienced take the time to share some of their knowledge with young artists. Thanks Harold and Leslie!