Saturday, November 08, 2008

A Work In Progress....

I'm sometimes asked by people where my inspiration comes from, where it starts and how I develop each individual piece as I go along. I recently started a new painting and I thought it would be fun to show it from the beginning stages, not only the first brush strokes but the concept for the work itself.

Many times, it all starts with photographs I've taken....then an idea takes root in my brain and I start mulling different concepts over and over in my mind. Sometimes they turn into paintings and sometimes they get put on the back burner for another time. You may remember the above photos from the summer, I really fell in love with the beautiful pink Petunias I saw and I took many photographs of them.

In fact, those pink Petunia's led me to paint this ceiling tin.....one of my favorite tins that I've ever painted. Seeing those pretty pink Petunia's inspired me to take lots of photos....reviewing the photos got lots of design possibilities brewing in my mind and that eventually led me to the design of my Chickadee and Petunia's on vintage ceiling tin painting.

I purchased this deep, 16 x 20 gallery wrapped canvas weeks ago and actually bought it with something totally different in mind to create on it. As I looked at it more and more I decided to put my original idea on hold and came up with something totally different instead. I've always loved painting faux windows and have done a few different kinds but none on gallery canvas yet. I also really loved the above Chickadee and Petunia's that I painted and wanted to rework and expand that concept into something else. That is when I decided to create a faux window using that design as a spring board for a new idea. This photo above shows the very beginning stages of work, the window panes have been drawn on, the design sketched out and the beginnings of the sky have been started. Also to the left, you can see the remnants of my daily caffeine pick me up. : )

Here you can see more of the sky completed and the ground work for the background greenery has been painted in as well.

Here I've started to create the pink Petunia's. I still might go back later when everything is finished and tweak the sky and background greenery...for now though, I will leave it as is and keep moving forward with the design. I'll be showing more progress on this painting as the days go by, each step, little by little, unit I reach the final product. I hope you've enjoyed the process so far.
In an effort to expand and try new experiences, I'm doing something I've never done before by exhibiting and selling my vintage ceiling tin artwork at the hair salon that I've been going to for so many years now. I went by yesterday to hang up a bunch of my pieces!! The owner is someone I've known for many years and he is very kind to let local artists exhibit and sell their work there.
There is still time to sign up for the egg art giveaway, just leave a comment on the post below to enter. A name will be drawn from my kitchen mixing bowl on the evening of Nov 11th. I will post the winner on the morning of Wed the 12th....good luck everyone.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

This painting looks gorgeous already. What a beautiful sky. I love watching people paint, and your petunias look lovely.

You're Invited to A Christmas Fair in Blogland on November 21st. Stop by and read all about it.



Karen

Charm and Grace said...

Wow, I love this one. Your colors are always beautiful and vibrant. I loved seeing YOUR process! How funny that we both did that at the same time. ;) Isn't it wonderful when local people who know you get behind you as an artist? That is just terrific.

Blessings friend,
Christi

Mary said...

Great post. I can smell the petunias! I have lavender and dark purple ones on my porch. It's snowing lightly today and they're just now saying goodbye for the winter. They held out the longest of any flower. They'll be missed.
Your petunia painting is lovely!

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Ruth,

Your photos of petunias are beautiful, as well as the petunias on the ceiling tile. Your window piece with petunas on canvas looks great already - can't wait to see the finished piece and I love seeing your artistic process. Do you paint in acrylics or oil on canvas?
Congratulations on exhibiting your art and how nice to have local support of the arts. A very wise artist once told me "you need to put your art out there as no one is going to see it tucked away in your studio".
Have a lovely creative week. Erin

NeereAnDear said...

There is something so fascianting seeing how other artists work on their creations... what steps they take... the process to get to the end result

Your colors are beautiful and pop even now so I cant wait to see when it is totally finished ...

JO

Suzanne said...

So pretty, Ruth! Isn't it always the case? You buy supplies with something in mind and then another idea pops up! I love what you are doing...can't wait to see the next stages.
Congrats on showing your work at the salon, what a great venue. I hope it does well for you.

bella said...

Ruth, I am loving the painting. I think it's so great to see a piece of art in stages like this. It's so fun and inspiring.

I have the same question as Erin, do you use acrylic or oil?

I'll be watching out for more!

Donna said...

The painting is wonderful, Ruth! Love the colors. And thank you for showing us the process. Cant wait to see it finished!

Hugs,
Donna

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks Everyone for your kind comments.

Erin & Foobella, to answer your question....this window is being done in acrylics. Thanks for asking as I actually meant to say that in my original post and forgot.

Next time I post about the progress of this window, I will show ones that I have done in oil and watercolor as well...just so you can see how the windows look in a different medium.

Ruth

La Donna Welter said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your process. I really love the clouds and sky. Can't wait to see more!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. So good to hear from you!
La Donna Welter

bella said...

Thanks for the info, Ruth. I've been wanting to paint again since I took it in college, but am chicken, but you are inspiring me every day.

Catherine Holman said...

It's fun to see your painting in stages and to see how other artists work. By the way, your brush water basin looks as colorful as mine!
Hugs,
Cathie

Mosaic*Queen said...

Just BEAUTIFUL Ruth!
Good Luck with showing your art at the hair salon! I've found that the more people that have a chance to see your work, the better chance you have at selling it! :-)
Hugs!

Michelle

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How inspiring! You are so artistic! Beautiful work and blog!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Your painting is beautiful as all your creations are! I think that's very cool that you're exhibiting your ceiling tins at the salon! I have a friend that does watercolors and she was always very reluctant to exhibit her work but I talked her into doing our local library and some other local places and she sold some pieces. That really made her more confident about her art!

Manuela