Head in the Clouds

untitled study

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

You may already know I've been on a cloud kick for the past couple of weeks. The study above was Wednesday's effort. I'm a little ashamed I didn't jump into this long ago like I did when I studied trees for a solid year, but better late than never! It's been surprising to me how much I'm enjoying it and how much I've learned by reading and studying color and painting clouds from the balcony view of my 'studio in the sky.' Now I find as much inspiration in painting clouds as much as I do trees - like trees, they each have their own shape and color, and are constantly evolving, only much more quickly! 

I hope to be offering a few 6 x 8 in. cloud studies for sale here in the coming weeks, as the larger ones will be part of a series that is still 'evolving!' Have a good weekend!

-julie davis

*if you haven't yet, and are inclined, sign up for my newsletter here. The fall issue will be coming out September 1.

Study - cattle

Cow Study

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

nfs

This is a quick study I did from some photos I took out in Center Point, Texas. Though cattle are slow, they aren't ideal models because they tend to move around a bit more quickly than I can manage to paint them. I never thought I'd be studying the anatomy of cattle, but life is full of surprises. I actually enjoyed a new type of figure and a deviation from trees for a minute.

-julie davis

Tree Lines

Tree Lines

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

As with my post from Tuesday, "objects in blog are not as vivid as they appear." I have got to get my camera sorted out--the photos I'm taking are in technicolor, and I haven't changed anything.  The auto-focus, however, has not worked, so I'm perplexed.  I'm bound for the camera shop.  This little piece is a relative of "Compatible," in that they're both from the same area of the Irish countryside.

-julie davis

Uphill

Uphill, study

8 x 6 in., oil on panel

sold

This study came from a photo I took while in Center Point, Texas, at the Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event.  My winning paining, Better Days, was painted at the same ranch--a piece of land with truly breath-taking views--it must have been one of the highest points in the area.  This was a little dirt road that ran uphill along one of the internal fence lines.  

I find it interesting to explore the abstract shapes in foregrounds, and the edges and indirect lines created by the intersection of grasses and rock, fields and fences, and even the clouds and sky.

-julie davis

In the Round

In the Round

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Here is another scene from our trip to Provence this summer. I I like this one more every time I look at it--I'm working on a larger version now because I love the tones I achieved in the study.  I'll not ship this one until next week as I'm using it for reference on the larger one.

-julie davis

Fall Field

Fall Field

8 x 6 in., oil on panel

sold

So this piece is a deviation for me....though not as much as you might initially think.  Everything that's here is typical, the only thing one might say is missing is a major subject (I'd argue otherwise--here, the field itself is the subject).  I can deconstruct more than a few of my compositions to this. Luckily, I think this one still worked.

-julie davis

Long Barn

Long Barn

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

So many of the older structures I paint lie enveloped in foliage, whether trees, bushes, or tall grasses.  I like that when I exaggerated the roof line of this barn it wound up almost hugging the tree at its end.  For me, part of the charm of these spaces is trying to imagine what they looked like in their prime...and what purposes they've served over the years. 

-julie davis

Hay Bales

Hay Bales

Forgive the original title....this was named in a hurry before submission at the Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event.  You can see the lone cow to the left of one bale...I kept trying to name the piece something to do with the cow (like Breakfast, or Head First, or Back End), but my friend, Laurel Daniel, talked some sense into me and helped me get to something less risky and more straightforward in the short time that we had--thank you, Laurel.  

I painted this piece in the company of cattle...they were an active bunch that morning, constantly moving in and out of my view.  At one point, three made their way to within several yards of me and happily ate while keeping an eye on things (and I kept an eye on them).  

-julie davis

The Neighbors

The Neighbors

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I've wanted to paint this scene for a bit--it's from a photo I took recently on a short trip near Austin, and was taken right after some recent rains.  The fields and trees green up so beautifully when we actually have rain--I couldn't resist stopping to take some pictures.  I may do a few more studies on it, but we'll see.  This summer has been a juggling of kids and their service trips so far, I'm trying to squeeze (in) paint(ing) when I can.  Ha.

-julie davis

Gold Leaf

Gold Leaf

11 x 14 in., oil on panel

available at Davis Gallery, Austin, $900

These trees were intertwined, and the yellow one, though in decline, still invested the energy to produce a few beautiful golden leaves.  I found it compelling, though my husband thought I should name the painting "Old Yeller," or "Yella Wood."  See what kind of help I get around here?

-julie davis

Cloudcover

Cloudcover

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I struggled with this little piece a bit.  It's a seemingly simple scene, but my sometimes things flow and sometimes they stumble along.  Interruptions like phone calls, lack of singular focus at the start, having to leave for carpool and return to finish….hmmm…I wonder why…. Despite these conditions (under which I know better than to try to paint),  I like the result of my efforts. I do hope the next comes off more smoothly, however, because I really love scenes like this.

-julie davis

Three in A Row - Best of Show

Three in a Row - Best of Show

8 x 16 in., oil on panel

sold

This is my winning piece from KOPE (Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event) in the hill country (October). (My apologies that it took me a month to post--between high school-age daughters, a new puppy, a cat we had to put down last week, Thanksgiving, the holiday show at Davis Gallery, and many other excuses, I haven't posted it and it's well overdue.

The judge for the event was Joe Anna Arnett- of the PBS series "Passport and Palette".  I was thrilled to win, and still am.  It validated a lot for me, and I'm excited going forward what that means for my confidence in my approach to my work in many ways.  

I've completed several new pieces (now a part of the Holiday Show at Davis Gallery) that I'll post over the next week or so.  The show is up through January 4, so please stop by and see it if you're in the Austin area - 827 W. 12th St.

-julie davis

Cloud Study 2

Cloud Study 2

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Another study of clouds.  I struggled to get a true photo of this one--the blues kept photographing with greater contrast against the sky than actually exists in the painting.  But I grew tired of trying retakes, so here it is. :)  I think it's the time of day I chose to take the photo, so I'll try again another time and see what happens.  Anyway....this was one of those "just rained, clouds clearing, days end" evenings.  I enjoyed the scattered complications of the clouds.

-julie davis

Barn, Late Evening

Barn, Late Evening

8 x 6 inches, oil on panel

I'm back from my summer posting hiatus, and happily so.  Our family took priority this summer--lots of travel and down time with the girls and Ben. Our eldest is a senior this year, so my tendency to put my kids above my painting has been in full force.  Now that they're back in school and I have blocks of time, though, I'm diving headlong into my work with a healthy mixture of fear and anticipation.  Fear that I've forgotten everything (including how to post) and anticipation of the lofty goals I've set for myself.  Bear with me as I "brush" the rust off and get back in the flow.

This piece is from a scene I came across this summer in a valley in northern California.  I wish I could've stayed there and painted for a month. So many beautiful scenes, and this subtle evening light was delightful.

-julie davis

Summer Road

Summer Road

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

sold

Busy time of year!  I last posted a month ago before the gallery show and time has escaped me since then.  I've been painting, just not posting-I plan to improve on the latter, though! 

Summer is quickly approaching here in Texas; we've had a gorgeous spring with needed rain, but the heat is on the way.  At least things are green!

-julie davis

Home Field

Home Field

16 x 8 in., oil on panel

Davis Gallery "No Place Like Home" Group Show

Saturday, April 20, 7-9 p.m.

837 West 12th Street

Davis Gallery in Austin is having a group show opening reception this weekend--Home Field is one of three pieces I just delivered for the show.  If you're in the Austin area and have a chance to stop by, please do!

-julie davis

Single Bale

Single Bale

16 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

"Everybody who has any respect for painting feels scared when he starts a new canvas."

-Robert Henri

I've reminded myself of that little nugget a lot lately, as I've been attempting some "new to me" work.  Though the above piece is not what I'm talking about (it's "small") and I love it, and love the format, lately I've been a bit off the radar because I'm pushing myself to try some larger pieces in my studio.  (Lots of fear involved for me!)  There is a lot I find frustrating about it, but I'm learning, and am confidant I'll crash through on the other side more able and less fearful, and hopefully, with some nice, larger work to show for it!

-julie davis

Cottonwood Sanctuary

Cottonwood Sanctuary

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

 donation to fundraiser for Helping Hand Home of Austin

This Saturday night from 7-9 p.m., Davis Gallery here in Austin is hosting its opening reception for the Holiday Group Show, in which I am happily participating.  The show will run through January 19th, but do drop by if you're in the Austin area--I'd love to see you, and I know the show will be full of beautiful artwork--you might even find the perfect holiday gift!

Davis Gallery

837 W. 12th

Austin, Texas

512.477.4929

opening reception, Sat., Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m.

-julie davis

Evening Shadows

Evening Shadows

12 x 9 in., oil on panel

sold

Some of the most fun I had painting last week at KOPE came while doing this piece.  I realize not everyone gets as excited as I do about trees.....but I really get a little geeked up on painting them. :)

I loved playing up the verticals (diagonals here, really) in the shadows and then up into the tree foliage. The shadows provided more entertainment for me, and I love an excuse to use darks in a painting.  So it was a virtual trifecta of fun.....and it sold during the Saturday night reception!  

-julie davis

Third of Three

Study 3, Field

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

This is the third and final of the last three posts on the same scene.  The others were different approaches at studying value and composition.  In this one, I relaxed and just painted.  Again, I really shouldn't post with photos that aren't up to par, but it's been a nutty week, and this is the best I'm going to get right now, so my apologies for the overexposure on the left side.  :)

-julie davis