This morning before I left my friend sent me a text WITH CAPITAL LETTERS telling me I HAD to get a copy of Pema Chodron's Unconditional Confidence as soon as possible. So I did, because I usually recognize obvious Signs when I see them.
I started listening to the lecture right exactly as I started painting. Pema's opening lines in the speech were about- the act of starting a painting- and I do mean I was literally laying out my first brush strokes on the blank panel as she was saying it. And this was not a lecture on painting.
(By the way, it is an excellent lecture and I highly recommend it)
I like when things like this happen, the moments of obvious synchronicity. Things for me have been very quiet on the spiritual front. And life in general. I have felt uninspired and generally in a flat place. Like the Nice Guidance Voices have gone quiet and have been busy with other things. So it is really nice when the universe says HI I AM HERE!! in a way I cannot possibly miss or misinterpret.
Anyhow, here is the painting. 8x10 oil on panel, one hour, it was toned with yellow ochre but I like an earth red undertone better.
Palette: Fanchon Red, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, Pthalo Green, French Ultramarine, and Burnt Umber.
I like this particular palette quite a lot, it might be my favorite plein air palette to date.
Today was also my new knife's first outing. She had a great time. I should have put more of that red leaf ground color in the rocks.
Oh Jess, I love this one so much Its really good , brilliant colurs reflecting in this , your getting quite the plein air painter I think ,....
ReplyDeleteJessica, your distant trees are a real treat with their warm color echoing a little bit in the water! And those lavender colors are exquisite...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you had a lovely day that turned into a lovely painting in spite of having to endure the cold. I love your water in this, and it is complemented nicely by the warm colors in the background. Congrats on a day out painting!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a day off to give yourself a kick start on a project. I am glad to see that you are coming out of the fog. I hate it but I am still in there somewhere. Maybe I will listen to this lecture you thought worth a listen to. I like the color in this. it gives life to the scene.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Jessica!!! I love when things like this happen!
ReplyDeleteWow, no problem with your paint moving ? You are so brave - I try to wait till it's at least above freezing.
ReplyDeleteSo true about synchronicity. I have it more with some people than with others, or at least its more obvious (like yours was).
Nice pictures, congratulated
ReplyDeleteI love Pema. I saw her speak this summer up at the Buddhist retreat center I volunteered at. And as you know, I also love signs from the Universe. Incidentally, I ALSO love your painting!
ReplyDeleteHope you're well. Thailand stories start tomorrow if you ever feel like coming by to visit. xoxo