Thursday, October 02, 2008

misc. distractions

(2x3)

(2x3)

A couple of miscellaneous distractions ... just little scenes I work on for a couple of minutes when I'm taking a break from working: dabbling. The top one is the Delaware Bay, near my house, and the bottom is the beach in North Wildwood, looking south to the boardwalk.

(5x7)

Today, taking a longer break, I worked on this scene of Plaza Blanca in New Mexico; this is the formation and from the same angle that O'Keeffe painted it. In mine the opening between the two rocks is wider, and so has less of the pleasing tension of OK's, but it was just a sketch: I want to do it again--maybe larger, with more striations, texture in the rocks.

*******
from elizabeth bishop's "chemin de fer"
............
"Love should be put into action!"
screamed the old hermit.
Across the pond an echo
tried and tried to confirm it.
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13 comments:

Kari Gibson said...

Those top two are tiny, but beautifully done. The third one would look great much larger, I agree, even though it looks just perfect at this size, if it were larger, the rocks would have more impact and give that looming feeling that they have.

cathyswatercolors said...

Oh my, I'm not sure sure which painting is more delightful. The beach paintings are quite detailed for the size. And New Mexico,yes,make a larger painting and please share it as you go.You have inspired me to try to paint my mom's ranch and the surrounding mesas once again. I do love your blog.

Teresa said...

Those beach paintings... all that in a 2x3? They look great...loose, lively and such juicy color. Love the N.M rocks too. Would love to get some of your looseness into my paintings... sigh... I'm afraid I'm one to sweat the details!

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Wow. These are beautiful. You've managed not to get up-tight (I would have, I know) and do a wonderful job of sharing the fun and excitement of the scene.

Brent Perkins said...

Plaza Blanca--The nuanced and subtle color transitions in this painting a re lovely. Is it for sale?

Annelein said...

Hi Laura,
Great "little" pieces...can't believe they are that small...what kind of brush do you use a negative 3? Just kidding..they are lovely. Wonderful color palette.

A Brush with Color said...

I always love your use of blues, Laura. These are beautiful images, one and all!

Cathy Gatland said...

These are so beautiful - little gems. I love the loose washes on the beach scene giving such an impression of wet sand and reflections, and those teeny-tiny figures - gosh! Love the Plaza Blanca too.

Don said...

your paintings are little gems. do you use magnifiers? I would go blind!!

These are very nice.

Ruth said...

First time I've seen people in your work, great job!

I LOVE the Elizabeth Bishop quote.

BARBARA WEEKS said...

These are little gems.

Making A Mark said...

I love the colour in your 'OK' sketch - it's glorious!

Linda said...

I absolutely love the small paintings (what I call "little bits") -- you have a wonderful sense of color!