Gray Days

Young Cypress, 6 x 6

When our plein air group met to paint yesterday, it was spitting rain and generally gray outside, one of those days when the shadows are hard to find and the value range is narrow. Since I'm on a tree binge, I parked myself right in front of this young cypress by the water.  I think I got a little fussy with it, but I at least wasn't ready to frisbee my canvas as I had been the week before!

-julie davis

Single Shade Tree

Single Shade Tree, 12 x 12

I had the time yesterday to paint twice (!), so I took the one I painted in the morning and painted a larger one. Somehow, these just went smoothly, maybe because I actually had plenty of time. I'm very happy with the way both of them turned out.....

-julie davis

A Good Day

Lone Ranger, 6 x 6

sold

You know the feeling you get when something you're working on is going really well, and then it actually ends up that way?  I guess we all have some internal barometer gauging that for us. Today I felt really good about this one--things finally came together for me--and then I did another one like it, but larger.  I'll post that one tomorrow.

-julie davis

Hot Day, Cold Water

Hot Day, Cold Water, 6 x 6

sold

By the end of this day painting I was gritty and thought I probably smelled like a little boy who had been playing outside.....it was hot, but the water was cold and perfect for wading.  I painted this one yesterday, and today's will be up tomorrow.  The week always ends up filled with 6 am paintings!

-julie davis

At the WInery

Weisinger's Barn, 6 x 6

sold

This is the barn on the property of Weisinger's Winery in Ashland, Oregon.  My mom married her childhood friend last summer, John Weisinger, founding owner of Weisinger's of Ashland. Check out his site--it's great wine--having a glass as I type--and the winery is in an absolutely lovely setting.  

-julie davis

Repetition

Live Oak Study, 6 x 8

sold

Tell me I'm not the only one who paints the same subject day after day.....did I mention I was struggling with greens?  I feel much better about this live oak (same one I've painted for days) than any I've done in ages--just because I think I was more successful at balancing the contrasting green values (not including the ground).  I won't speak for the rest--did this in 30 minutes this morning at 6 a.m., but I'm on the right track, I think.  

-julie davis

Studying, studying

Live Oak Study, 6 x 8

This week has been filled with tree studies.  For those who don't paint, it may be impossible to relate, but the difficulty of getting the right green in the right amount in the right spot....it's made me want to pull my hair out over the course of the last several weeks as I've been doing more plein air painting.  I'm determined to get it, though, and feel like I've made progress.  

-julie davis

A Little Spring

Bluebonnet Clusters, 6 x 6

When you live in Austin, it's almost obligatory to go out to the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center in the Spring, and it certainly is if you're a plein air painter.  I was intimidated to tackle the gorgeous scenery on my own, but I went out anyway on Monday.  I'll admit this was my fist time to go outside painting totally on my own, no class, no group, no friend (is that initiation for being a "plein air painter?").   While painting, I overheard (many things) someone saying this was not a good year for bluebonnets, but there were plenty to be found.  I've always said if you're going to paint bluebonnets, you'd better get it right, because people are passionate about them.  I am, too, but I think of this as a "nod" to them, so maybe I got away with it?

-julie davis

Spring Canopy

Spring Canopy, 12 x 12

Spring in Austin is my favorite. The weather is amazing and it completely makes you want to be outside. The greens are amazing as well, and developing a broad enough range of them to mimic reality is difficult. These trees had just recently leafed out and were creating a really appealing covered path at Spicewood Farms the other day.

-julie davis

Spicewood Farms

Stable Straggler, 6 x 8

sold

This is one I did at home this morning after our plein air class met yesterday at Spicewood Farms.  I painted one yesterday, too, just did it so quickly that I didn't get much more than a framework with color notes.  It was a little windy, but our weather in Austin right now is beautiful--creeping towards hot, but not yet.

-julie davis

Ruins of Salado College

Salado College Ruins, 6 x 8

I painted this this morning from a photo and an on-site painting done in the Carver workshop. I would've stayed all day in this location had I been able, but it was my youngest daughter's birthday and I had to leave early to make it back to Austin. I love the architecture and the colors the late afternoon sun was creating on the old stone. The photo was taken right when I got there (4-ish?)--the painting I did on-site (and that is half-finished) has all my color notes.

The cornerstone for this location of Salado College was laid here in 1860. The college was the first in Texas that was not funded by church or state funds, and it was coed. A series of fires in the early 1900's destroyed the building, but the site is now open to the public. It's a beautiful spot.

-julie davis

Salado Creek Rocks

Salado Creek Rocks, 12 x 12

It's been nice to have the time this weekend to do some "larger" work.  I've had time to think more about how I'm composing a piece, and to put some finishing touches on them.  I included the reference photo here, but I also used a piece I'd done on site as a reference for this one--just closed in on the rocks this time.  

The photo of this piece doesn't quite show all the colors I put into the rocks--warm pinks and yellows, blues and oranges.  I spent more time on the creek and greens, but the rocks were the fun part.  I think it ended up a little too green altogether, and my horizon line is too high and not dark enough, but when I stand back from this one, it seems to work, and becomes more abstract the closer I get.

Salado Creek, by the way, is in Salado, Texas (pronounced Sa-lay-dough).  Salado is a charming and artsy town between Austin and Waco, and Andreeva Academy is located there (where I took the Jill Carver workshop).

-julie davis

Risky Business

Mom and John,   6 x 8

This is a huge diversion for me--I saw a painting in Paris recently that was a portrait of sorts, simple--and the people's faces were left unfinished.  I thought I'd try it out--portraits certainly aren't my thing, but it's interesting to me how much this resembles my mom and her husband John, without even detailing their faces.  I can't say I'll tackle this subject often, but it was an interesting diversion for me today.

-julie davis

Salado Barn / Early Bloomer

Salado Barn, 6 x 8

Jill Carver

Early Bloomer, 12 x 12

sold

The top painting is the first I did at Jill Carver's workshop; I guess I've posted them in reverse order. I tried to set up the focal point just to the right of center--a small path that curved between the barn and a beautiful oak. The second is of Jill doing a demo on Monday. The third is a larger version of yesterday's post. I had the time today, so I scaled the 6 x 6 into a 12 x 12 and I think I kept it intact. I had more fun doing these cacti paintings than I expected and I may enter one into a Texas-themed show at a local gallery....we'll see if they like it as much as I do!

-julie davis

Flowering Cactus

Flowering Cactus, 6 x 6

sold

After several months of membership in Plein Air Austin I finally went out to paint on one of their Thursday paintouts and had a great time.  The photo above is my reference photo; I painted a fast painting outside, and came home and painted this one using both the photo and my first stab.  I really worked on composing this one with several of the techniques Jill Carver taught in class and others I learned recently from Laurel Daniel.   I'm pleased with the outcome.

-julie davis

What a Week

Near the Water, 6 x 8

sold

I haven't posted the others yet, but this is the last painting I did during Jill Carver's workshop. We were near Salado Creek (big water and tree vistas) a lot, and I gravitated toward something simpler at the end of the three days--we were all tired from absorbing so much good information, and the sun takes its share as well.  But, what a treat, and what a week!

-julie davis

Jill Carver Workshop

On Salado Creek, 6 x 8

I haven't posted in a while--I've been on a fantastic trip to Santa Fe (plenty of art to enjoy) and dove right into a plein air workshop this week led by Jill Carver.   Jill is a fantastic landscape painter--her work is shown locally at Wally Workman Gallery.   I'm learning and absorbing as much as I can.  There are some terrific professional painters in my class, and it's great to be exposed to them and their work on a personal level.    Workshop work isn't always one's best work--you're learning techniques, styles, colors, theory--much of it is new to me, and I can't wait to share what I find valuable......just not tonight.....too tired!

-julie davis

County Line

County Line, 9 x 12

Austin's spring weather is usually amazing.  Today we had some overcast skies, but it was generally no exception.  Add to that a beautiful site to paint, and it makes for a pretty great day for a painter.  Class met today at the lakeside County Line restaurant, known for its great bar-b-que, and possibly for it's fantastic setting as well.  One of the most challenging things about painting plein air to me, is getting the right colors on the canvas.  With the partly cloudy skies, the light changes so often I find it difficult to "see" what I've got.  I was surprised a bit when I came home and saw this inside, mostly by the competing values at the back--they were much different outside, but I'm learning!

-julie davis

And....I have to thank my mentor and friend, Laurel Daniel, for awarding me the "Passion for Painting" award.  Laurel's work inspires me every day--please visit her blog to see what she's up to--she shows locally at Davis Gallery, as well as several other galleries in the country.

The rules are that the recipient shares seven things he or she is passionate about, and passes the award to seven other deserving bloggers.

Seven of my passions in life:

1. My amazing husband, Ben.

2. Three inspiring girls I'm lucky enough to have as daughters.

3. My faith.

4. Painting, photography, being outside, and the weather.

5.   Texas.

6. My relationships with my girlfriends, whom I could not do without.

7. A clean house!

Seven artists to know and enjoy:

1. Barbara Muir

2. Karen Rike

3. Leslie Saeta

4. Judy Parton

5. Carolyn Finnell

6. Kay Wyne

7. Edward Burton

Wine Country

Head for the Hills, 6 x 6

This is a scene I've been afraid to paint, and I think I know why!  It's a place that's new and very important to me--a view from the deck of Weisinger's Winery in Ashland, Oregon.  Last summer my mom married a childhood best friend, John Weisinger, and this is the view from his winery's deck (or my 5 am attempt at translating the view).  I've been once, and hope to return many times, as it is one of the most relaxing, delightful places I've been, and to sit on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine with mom and John is one of my life's very treasured moments.  I hope to attempt more from this location, perhaps when I'm there in August for a bit I'll paint from the deck, rather than from a photo--even photos don't do it justice.

The Familiar

The Inlet, 9 x 12

After my long weekend of painting, I came home and painted this "larger" one from a 6 x 8 I did the first day of the workshop.  This is a familiar site for me, as Laurel's plein air classes often start the "season" with this location, also at AMOA.  It's a little inlet off of Lake Austin, a really tranquil spot.  I'm more pleased with this one than the initial composition.

-julie davis

Oh the Pain

Laguna Gloria, 6 x 8

I was fortunate to take a terrific plein air workshop this weekend (thank you to Ben and my girls for allowing me the time!) with Laurel Daniel at AMOA.  The weather was gorgeous (save for the crazy wind on Saturday that nearly blew us all away), and the locations were amazing. We painted on the Laguna Gloria campus of Austin Museum of Art, and at the home studio/property of Austin's Jennifer Myers, a fellow painter with a very successful floral design company.  I hadn't painted outside in a while, and the challenges it presented were daunting.  I painted this one at Laguna Gloria of the old estate home there--the building is beautiful--I didn't do it justice, but I tried!  I think with this composition, I should've cropped more to the right or left--it's too divided into halves, but I painted eight paintings in as many hours, so decision-making was fast and sometimes led to mistakes.   Regardless, I am ready to get back at it in class on Wednesday!

-julie davis

Chapel

Santa Barbara Chapel, 8 x 10

I'm always snapping photos on trips--this is one from a  trip to Santa Barbara last summer.  A chapel in Montecito.  I always love the way light hits buildings and the way shadow can envelope them.  I'm thinking I used diagonal lines composing this one--though the diagonal is severe.  

-julie davis

Blue Skies

Paris Street #2, 8 x 10

The rain finally broke this afternoon and it became a stunning day--one of those days when you're just thankful for participating.  I painted this piece in class yesterday (from a photo from our recent trip).  We were supposed to be outside painting, but with the rain we were stuck inside not painting en plein air in a plein air class.  I mentioned the composition techniques Laurel stressed yesterday (there were many), but the one I think I used here is radiating lines. There is also an element of triangles used in the sky, shadows, and sidewalks.  And if I had to list a third, the buildings almost give the tunnel effect.  Next week's class critique will reveal whether I'm correct or not!

-julie davis

Rainy Day

Here is the Steeple..., 6 x 6

It was a rainy day in Austin today.  I didn't get to photograph the piece I did in class, but I painted this one Sunday, so here it is.  I had the best day, despite the storms.  We started our plein air class today at AMOA with Laurel Daniel.  Her classes are always the highlight of my week.  The focus of this one is composing a strong landscape, and Laurel stressed several different composition techniques, I'm sure none of which I've used in this painting, but I'll be experimenting with them going forward and I'll try to identify them if and when I can.

-julie davis

Home of the Wizards

Oxford, 6 x 6

This is from a photo from our trip from the heart of town in Oxford, England.  Talk about history.  It practically seeps from the ground here.  The girls most enjoyed seeing the dining hall of one of Oxford's colleges where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed.  I could've stayed!

-julie davis

Back to Reality

Paris Street #1, 8 x 10

sold

We were fortunate to travel to Paris and London last week with our girls while they were off of school.  I didn't paint for a week, but I came back with plenty of photos--some that I'll try to paint.  I gave this street scene a try today.  Having never been to Paris, I enjoyed the narrow streets in the old part of town and the similarity, yet individuality of the buildings.  

On another note, for those who have asked, I'll be trying this week to connect ebay/paypal to my blog so that my paintings may be purchased online.  For now, feel free to email me at julie@jdavisart.com if you're interested in a piece.

-julie davis

Lemonade

Lemonade, 6 x 6

sold

I was lucky to get a picture of this one today it was so cold and wet outside.  Don't know what happened to our Spring!  I had fun painting this one--I always enjoy lemons--the vivid yellow and the challenge of creating the illusion of something round--I've been more successful with that, but I like the result no less, particularly the one "out" at the bottom.

-julie davis

The Archives

Kitchen Table, 12 x 12

I reached into the archives for this one. Today's painting "was not worthy." I've always liked this one, though (one I did in Laurel Daniel's class) , and though eggs and a mug and pot are not very glamorous, they may be a fundamental part of our mornings--I know the mug is for me at least!

-julie davis

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek, 6 x 6

sold

The last several days have been a scramble.   The girls have had tests, Ben has been swamped with work and, well, it's generally been busier than normal.  I did paint early this morning, and was pleased with my composition, but got carried away with the brush.  Having painted for two years, I find I still have days when I can't find my identity as a painter, my "handwriting." Today was one of those days.  Maybe I can attribute it to lack of sleep or distraction.  Probably! 

Undertones

Keeping Watch, 6 x 8

This is an exercise we did in Carol Marine's workshop.  We started by painting in the darks, then literally wiped paint away with a paper towel where the medium and light tones were.  It's a terrific exercise to keep you thinking about values.  I keep wanting to paint this one, to "finish" it, but I'm hanging onto it in this form--it's a valuable teacher.

-julie davis