Some days the light turns the fields so bright that they seem to be glowing. Other times the hills seem to vibrate with a warm earthy pink. Very happy with this one. Closer to the vision that was gnawing at me.
Monday was our Thanksgiving due to work schedules. I had to wait to paint until everyone else was in bed. My brother was trying to think of a Thanksgiving song. None of us could. I thought of Over the River. I remember the Peanuts gang singing it. But the full version is clearly for Christmas.
My Canadian friend Sea Dean shared an interesting post on Toni Onley yesterday. She often shares work from her fellow countrymen. I love reading her posts, because these artists are all new to me! Thank you Sea!
I fell in love with Toni’s work. I did a little surfing, and learned about his life, the mediums he preferred, and the progression of his work. He was a master of marketing, and flew his own plane to paint plein air. Impressive!
Spring Snow, Harrison Lake, B.C. Watercolour, Toni Onley
Phantom Glacier, 11 x 15, watercolour, Toni Onley
I set my mind to paint a simple, clean version of my Mingus view. Picking up my brush and getting in the zone was such a joy. I did a lot right in this, I am pleased with the outcome. But I am light years away from clean, crisp, soft, simplicity. Gotta love the learning!! There will be a do over, because the vision in my mind is gnawing at me.
More work to be done. More hours to put in. Oh JoY!
I just realized, looking at Toni’s work, that his almost abstract landscapes are very much like works I love from Georgia O’Keefe. No wonder it was love at first sight.
New Mexican landscape, 16.25 x 30, oil on canvas, Georgia O’Keeffe
Lake George. Oil on canvas, 16 1/4 x 22, Georgia O’Keeffe.
I also discovered the landscapes of Canadian artist Enda Bardell today. Inspiration is everywhere! Have you discovered the work of “new” artist recently? Share a link in the comments and let me know what you enjoy about their work or how it inspired you!