A moment in Maine and Vermont

I now understand the appeal of a real, on-time, colorful September fall. As a Texan, I know a long, hot summer, and I always appreciate when fall finally decides to reach us, but some lucky people get it way earlier than we do in Austin. Obviously, theirs comes with a long, hard winter, so I can't say I'd trade them, but real fall in September is terrific, and feels really, really good!

Since my husband and I are living in New York this fall, we've tried to explore areas that are relatively close. So, we took a long weekend drive to Maine and Vermont last weekend, and I took my plein air pack and thoroughly enjoyed the times I got to unpack it and paint.

The photo above is in Kennebunkport, Maine, down by the docks where they bring the lobster pots in from the morning fishing trip. While I was painting these lobster buoys, a couple of fishermen walked by and struck up a conversation with me. One told the other I was "memorializing McDougall's buoys." I guess I was. I sure enjoyed the piece.

This is near Manchester, VT, at the covered bridge near Norman Rockwell's home, and below is my process on a gorgeous barn near Barnard, VT.

I could've stayed for days and painted this barn from many angles. The autumn foliage was the icing on the cake. I got a lot of photos and sketches, and hope to get to painting more on this unique structure when we're home. For now, I'm back in NYC painting on the rooftop!

-julie davis

The Value of Color Studies

I first began to create color studies on a regular basis after a workshop given by Jill Carver in Texas in 2015. I'd done them before, but never in the lightning-quick manner Jill had us doing them, and never as my primary means of gathering information outdoors. Jill opened an entirely new practice to me that week, and I owe her a debt of gratitude. Because I often sell my 6 x 8 studies on this blog, I'd always felt decent pressure to make even my studies excellent. Attempting perfection, needless to say, isn't the most productive way to "study."

Above are some studies I completed this morning in my studio using sketches I did outdoors and photo references I took while on site. Notice they're all on one board, which was divided into four sections with painter's tape while I painted (the color difference under the tape is due to the panel I used being an old one that was half-toned). This way I can't sell them--the pressure is gone. (It's certainly possible that I could cut them apart later if one is so amazing I just have to post it for sale).  :)

Below are some quick (like stream-of consciousness-quick) thoughts on the value of doing these studies. Color studies are:

*A natural bridge between a thumbnail sketch and starting a refined, finished painting

*A great way to gather lots of information outdoors in a short time (perfect for times when you're painting outside and the light or weather is changing rapidly)

*Practice for mixing the colors you'll eventually use in the larger painting

*A simple, fast way to get accurate color notes when painting en plein air

*An efficient way to "brainstorm" in paint time-wise and space-wise. Set time limits on yourself (no more than 30 minutes to an hour on each). Also, you can easily get four or six on one panel.

*A way to affirm that you're being productive when all else fails!

*A tool for trying various compositions if you can't decide based on thumbnail sketches

*A good way to stay loose and produce the painterly look that you might want to use in your larger painting

*A great exercise in painting quickly if you're trying to get faster

*Perfect for painting a scene you're in love with but only had time for a sketch and a quick photo (like the amazing scene you discovered after you packed up and were heading to your car, or the one you got a photo of while with your family and had only your phone and sketchbook in hand).

*Freedom to relax--you're not aiming for a finished painting, but the bonus is that sometimes you get one!

Color studies work out the kinks, let you know if your idea has the potential to translate into a successful painting, and keep you at ease while accomplishing both. 

-julie davis

The Add-On

The Add-On

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

donation

So if you haven't noticed the recurring theme over the more recent posts, there is one. :)  I've stuck to this group of barns for a bit in order to allow myself the freedom to experiment and to learn.  I always use my knife to an extent, but it's become a more important tool to me over the last year, and I need and want to get some mileage working with it, trying new things, etc.  Something like my study of trees was a while back.  Now I'm focusing more toward texture, edges, and line.  So if I sound or look like a broken record at times, thank you for your patience…I'm learning "out loud."

-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

KOPE participation 2013

Surrounded by Sunflowers

8 x 16 in., oil on panel

The show for the Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event in Kerrville, Texas, in which I took part earlier this month, came to a close this weekend.  At the close, I was able to get some better photos of the pieces I entered (the ones I took initially were, frankly, terrible quality, so I haven't posted them), but I'll post the new ones over the next week.  This was the first painting I did during the competition; I kept all of them in this 1:2 format for the remainder of the week.

-julie davis

Best of Show win!

With my winning painting, Three in a Row at KOPE Saturday night

I'm still grinning after my Best of Show finish at Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event this weekend in Kerrville, Texas.  I'm honored that one of my paintings received first place (!) -- there were so many excellent plein air pieces displayed by the group of participating artists --I was just happy to be there!  Thank you to everyone at KACC for another well-run and fun week, and to everyone in Kerrville who so kindly thanked us for being there.  It's great to paint in such a friendly town!

-julie davis

* above, a photo of (part) of the scene I painted before I began. 

and below, some of the rowdy crowd surrounding me during my Friday effort...

Farm Study

Farm Study, 8 x 10

donation- The Arc of the Capital Area

There are so many small farms and ranches in Central Texas--they're all very different, but very similar at the same time. I really enjoyed this one.

-julie davis