Hi Friends,
I am in disbelief that the end of January has arrived! We’ve had a very open and mild winter, which is making this season move along much faster. Today I am sharing my thoughts along with a collection of references I’ve accumulated for a new body of work. A bit of a behind the scenes chat!
Firstly, I’ll begin with the initial inspiration that led to my exploration and acute interest in clouds/skies as a focused painting subject. After three years of living in a pandemic, I was feeling a strong need for a greater sense of freedom. Wide open spaces, particularly expansive skies began to nurture that desire. I began to find comfort and personal freedom while observing clouds and their transient nature. Thus, began a long creative gestation period of deep observation.
I've had my head in the clouds since last spring; collecting and creating all sorts of references in the form of plein air studies and paintings, sketches, notes and photographs. I feel like I’ve been in “Cloud School” and have learned so much about their structure, movement and subtle value ranges (with regards to color). It's been quite an interesting and exciting journey! Clouds have now become quite a fun topic of conversation in our family.
All this in-depth study has served as valuable preparatory work in order to birth an upcoming body of work. My plan is to paint on larger surfaces in order to create a feeling of spaciousness. After all, it only seems fitting to give these billowy shapes a playground similar to the one they live in daily. Floating along freely without a care in the world!
I’m going to begin with a beautiful birch wood panel that I have prepped with both a sealer and oil primer. The panel is cradled which means the top panel is attached to a 1 3/4 wooden frame. The sides can be painted or stained enabling the painting to be hung without an additional frame. The panel size I’m beginning with is 24x30in.
First Photo: Applying Golden’s GAC 100 to seal the wood.
Second Photo: Full panel primed with Gamblin’s Oil Ground as a primer before painting.
As a companion to this series, I intent to begin a new journal/sketchbook where I record preliminary sketches, notes on my process, color swatches and musings. I’m super excited to begin! My excitement is also mingled with a touch of holding my breath kind of feeling. Hoping I can bring my vision to fruition! I appreciate you sending all the good vibes you can muster! Let the cloud dance begin!
Warmly,
Debbie xx
P.S. I’m wondering if you are interested in me sharing technical posts such as how I prep my panels etc.? Also stay tuned for inside glimpses of my art journal as I develop this series. And if you have any questions about my processes, ask away!
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1 Panels sourced from a fantastic provincial small business "The Twisted Doorbell Gallery" Excellent workmanship and service!
Love the sky sketches & pics, also the detail showing your color swatches for achieving these beautiful clouds. I too feel clouds are such a moving, calming part of nature to just sit back and enjoy sometimes.