SCENES FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE: DISCOVERING OIL PASTELS

DISCOVERING OIL PASTELS: Waterfalls

The flume in Franconia Notch  (9X12)

Although I'd used oil pastels before, my first choice had become pastels or oil. Over the winter my studio situation had changed and my main easel, with  my Artist Air machine, remained at my former studio. Since I would never consider doing an indoor pastel or oil painting without Artist Air, if I wanted to paint at my home, I needed another solution. Pencil, watercolor, acrylics or oil pastels?

Diana's Bath (9x12)

Pulling out my photo files (Mac cites over 14,000! photos!) I skimmed over some of my favorite hike files and chose  several waterfall photos. In real life waterfalls  and streams are soothing.   I breath with the pulsing of the waters falling into the waiting pools, and sliding over and around boulders. I merge myself in the splatters and spray as they dance to their own rhythms, and delight at the changing rainbows. Its calming and other worldly. 

My own life at the time was needing calm and my fingers were itching to move onto paper, push around colors, and create a few sprays of my own. I needed the art therapy and chose the oil pastels because they were the quickest. No setting up a palette, no fooling with mediums, mineral spirits, brush cleaning. Just open the box, pick up a stick and start! 

Could Be Anywhere! (9X12)

Painting can be even better than real life because it makes the artist the creator.

Diana's Bath (9x12)

Glen Ellis Falls

 It's not only mind and eye following the water, but also the hand itself creating the ripples, rainbows and spray on paper, immersing itself in the waters of calm!

I chose black paper to emphasize the water, the spray, the subtle colors of stream and ponds.  One painting led to another and another and then Eureka!  I was doing a series, and, like a soap opera fiend, wondering about the next installment!, before I had finished one I was working on. I had heard about doing series in art school but never put it to real practice until now.  Doing a series forces us to greater creativity! It's fun. Familiarity with similar color choices pushes to new techniques and new visions, then new color combinations, further technique exploration. Waterfalls in NH are everywhere, and different, not only from season to season, but from week to week. Even day to day if there has been a major storm, or an errant beaver at work. They are a never-ending supply of subject matter.

These five are among the 12 now completed, with two more sitting on my drafting table in various stages of production. I presently have an exhibit at the M&D Theater in North Conway, NH, there until July 5. Stop by if you are near.

Meanwhile, I'll be doing more Oil Pastels of Waterfalls. 

Check out other blog entries and my website for other Scenes of New Hampshire  and my blog, THE GREAT WHITE BARN to check the progress on my gallery.

Oil Pastels on black paper, 9X12.  $90 unframed, $130 framed in black frame.
E-mail me at barbaramcevoy@me.com if interested.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: COLORS (and color mixing)

New Hampshire Scenes:  Colors

Daybreak with a Dusting   oil   9X12    $250

Bleak November is not so bleak in New Hampshire. 

Color is there for those who choose to look. 

Putting the Sun to Bed  oil 9X12   $250

Wake in time for the sunrise on a clear day, ( not difficult now that we're on standard time), chase sunsets, search out  the occasional blueberry bush that still has it's scarlet leaves, look closely at a tree trunk, at the mist, into the distance. 

At this time of year I look for the burgundy leaves left on the oaks, the lighter and bleaching out leaves of the beeches, and the occasional fern at the edge of the forest that has decided to "try again" and adds its touch of bright spring green. 

Color is every where, one of the joys of life.
Colors are FUN…
lively, brash, outspoken, 
subtle, seductive, 
calm, shy, secretive.

Color… Find it outdoors, and, for an extra dose, visit an artist's studio. 

Pastelist have hundreds of sticks.
I won't count mine, but my friend  Beth teased me years ago about how many sets I had, and I have more now.)

The color miracle, though, is seasoned plein air painter using oil paints. This is the painter who goes out with white and the primaries…Blue, Red and Yellow (perhaps with both a "cool" and  "warm" of each primary.)

BLUE BLU BLEU!  oil abstract   9x12

Think of it…

ALL WE SEE, the colors of the rainbow, are variations of those three primaries!  

All of nature!    EVERYTHING!

And to "switch to oils," or merely add them to my repertoire, I had to learn to mix those colors?  Not that I hadn't done charts to search out subtleties, or even had to mix and layer colors in my pastel work, but a systematic development of charts was on order…part of what I worked on during my "hiatus." 

The above paintings were two of the earliest when I was finished working on my "charts,"

RED ROSSO ROUGE!   oil abstract   9X 12

But I had great fun with each of the primary colors as I went…

For collectors, art lovers, nature lovers,

Red, Yellow and Blue are the base,

but consider the myriad possibilities!

Think of the subtleties! The shades!

The variety! 

The differences!

And, 

Maybe,

(not to wax philosophic, 

but I can't help it)

in a disagreement 

or argument with someone,

remember that it is often the great variety,

of possibilities (and opinions)

that create the amazing world we have...

YELLOW GIALLO JAUNE!  oil abstract   9X12

There is definitely room 

for more than one shade of anything! 

SO, 

If November is bleak, 

and December through March…

find an artist's studio to visit… 

Guaranteed color! 

OR, 

In MY neighborhood?  (Freedom, NH)

Visit my studio

Or, for a very quick dose of color, 
visit my   website ,

 Contact me  at    barbaramcevoy@me.com with questions and/or comments.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Painting (more) Trees with Oils

Windblown on Kearsage  oil    24x36  $700

Painting with Oils: More Trees

Since my "hiatus from blogging," what has changed? 

One major event is that I have switched into oils! Not exclusively. I have dabbled off and on in oils and had painted over "Windblown on Kearsage,"  never getting it the way I wanted. 

Remember my dream, to paint big trees? A 24 x 36 inch oil was bigger than I'd been working on in pastels, but I clearly needed to learn techniques that I was only guessing at. 

The fun of painting IS that there is always more to learn, more to experiment with, and, as important for an outdoor person, more ways to see what lies before us, 
metaphorically, 
historically (yes, art history covers more than written history! Think about it!), spiritually !

imaginatively ! 
and of course, 
physically!

Somwhere between layer three and four of Kearsarge, each layer being almost a complete paint over, I did decide to get really serious about learning and improving my oil techniques, concentrating on various "areas," such as brushwork, color mixing, values, atmosphere.
Brushwork (see below practice examples) and color mixing (a future post) improved Kearsarge considerably, but I expect, in fact I know, I have more to learn. 

Brushwork was the first area calling for practice. Shapes of trees are as varied as people, especially noticeable where trees edge a field or stand sentinel style along a ridge. Being almost winter when I took the photos for my two silhouette studies, leaves were gone from the deciduous trees and the "undercover" was definitely under cover, retired for the season. This line of pines had caught my attention one evening as the dusky sky accented their trunks and branches and a faint breeze caused them to bend and whisper at the hush of approaching dark. The perfect subject for tree study and brush strokes.

Whispering Pines  oil  26 x 18   sold

Most of "Whispering Pines" trees were painted separately for practice, or in smaller clumps and the painting became a labor of love which sold to a hiker who loved seeing the pines on the NH mountainsides, particularly Mount Washington, as much as I enjoyed seeing and painting them.

The second companion piece had to be different but still reflect New Hampshire Scenes. 

Ethnic Neighborhood oil 24X20   $250

Scouting for a different type of tree line, I realized my own yard had a tree line silhouette that reflected the types of trees found in the foothills and pond areas of the Whites, so my own "Lily," the great red pine I mention in "First Friends," became the star and matriarch of 
"Ethnic Neighborhood." 

 For other paintings of Lily and Friends, and NH woodlands go to my website barbaramcevoyartist.com. 

Contact me at barbaramcevoy@me.com with questions and comments.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Trees again and still

Trees….Again and Still

Into the Woodland Hush
24X36   Oil on Canvas   $700

Returning, returning after over a year's hiatus.

Reviewing my blog and website 
after such a long absence begs the question, 
Where to start again? In the now?
What has changed? A Lot!  
What hasn't changed? A Lot! 
Mentally, I have composed many blogs, partially, 
with nothing to show for the thoughts.
Physically, I've been painting, painting, painting
and adventuring In the US and abroad!
My theme song of "I love it here (in New Hampshire) 
still holds true. New Hampshire, 
particularly "the Whites,"
is a wonderful base for landscape artists, me!
But when it comes to writing blogs, 
as I struggle with what to say and how to say it, 
my heart is saying, "I'd rather be painting." 
In fact, much of last year and prior have been spent 
painting, drawing, reading about painting and drawing, 
and woking on simplifying my life 
to make more time for painting

Simplify, Simplify…quote from a New Englander, of course. 
(Henry David Thoreau) who also said, 

Hikers Delight
9X12 Pastel   $150.

"Follow your dreams."  And so I have been.

Even before I moved to NH,
one of my dreams, 
that took a bit of time and education to accomplish, 
was to "Paint Big Trees."
And so, my trees on canvas have grown, 
but may still grow more.
What has changed? I've added oils to my repertoire.
What hasn't changed? My first six blogs, pre-NH, 
were about trees I painted. And I'm still painting them.

A hiker's delight is both the trail to the ledge and the respite 
at the top, or the ledge, when the view is panoramic.



Check out my website at BarbaraMcEvoy Artist.Com
for more 

and/or e-mail me at BarbaraMcEvoyArtist@me.com with questions and comments.

It feels good to be back on line!

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Almost Gone

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES:  Almost Gone

Only a week ago,
this was the scene at Bretton Woods. 
Snow enough to ski,
And Mount Washington was still wearing its white mantle.

Mount Washington from North Conway.

 But only 20 miles south,
really related more to elevation than latitude,
the snow was definitely going!

Patches of snow 
rather than patches of rock and ground,
were the new ground designs...

(see previous blog for another version of this rock)
And so, although the diehard skiers
are still finding places to ski, perhaps, 

Hikers are thinking of favorite trails  

View from South Moat looking towards Middle
and North Moat, and on toward the Notches.

 whether they are south facing,   and thus,

 more likely to be clear of ice and snow

 or north facing 

(possibly requiring micro-spikes),

or better left 'til later in the season!

In my own readiness to get hiking again,

(without snow shoes and full winter gear)

I spent time vicariously painting one of my favorites, The Moats, 

and too hastily had it framed 

behind glass
before  its photo session,

which diminishes detail and color...

(See it in person at  The Met  gallery and coffee shop.)

Beech youngsters stubornly hold their leaves
through the winter. 

And
Painters are thinking of Plein Air Painting,

Outside at last,

 to sketch and paint nature in real life.

And some of us
are lucky enough to be both painters and hikers....

Check my website, Barbara McEvoy, Artist.Com for my new emphasis and recent paintings...

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Last Week and Soon, Maybe!

Steps to a friend's house! 

g



From this scene

             
                     And this scene

                                  only ten days ago,

Steps to a friend's back yard!

                To Snow Drops

and Crocus

                 and Bluettes 

Soon

Maybe?  

It's the miracle of Spring!

I admit, 

I had to go south 

of the White Mountains

to get photos of the 

Snow Drops and Crocus and Bluets

But,

that snow is melting,

and beneath it all

with green tips poking bravely upward

are the bulbs we planted 

and millions of wildflowers,

Just waiting!

I promise a photo and three paintings

of bluets, 

when the ones near home appear.

Meanwhile,

I'll paint the rocks that

heat in the sun

and 

uncover first.

Because rocks too, have something to say

about Spring!

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: It didn't go yet!

"Be careful what you wish, for," has been said often.

My last blog, "Snow going,"  ended with,  "Maybe one more storm." 

The ground patterns I had been watching around the trees

have entirely disappeared. 

The snow came back!

But the temperatures are still below freezing at night (12 last night) and well above during the day (40 at the moment). 

Meaning, 

We are left with confused icicles! 

And confused people...

It's the first day of Spring, but looks like winter, feels like winter in the morning,

and turns to Spring by afternoon...the old case of March 

coming in like a lion and out like a lamb.

March is definitely in transition. 

Sap is still rising, however, and sugar shacks are still boiling,

so for those of us whose creativity is aligned with the weather, we can move onward with our projects.  If Spring doesn't appear to be here in full force, at least it is wavering and showing signs of approaching, despite the "backslide" into winter.

Admittedly, ground patterns had me thinking about Spring, but the snow pushed me back to winter thoughts and I've used it to advantage. Artists can find patterns in any season...

Check out my changed home page at ... barbaramcevoyartist.com

I've switched to White Mountain emphasis, have two new paintings of winter, two categories added to my web (Can you tell which are the new ones?) and a few last comments on winter as well. 

Patterns   Pastel   9x12 

Do I dare say it?

 "But, maybe, perhaps, we could have one more snow storm? "

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Snow going

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Snow going

Lily in her blossoming glory of snow.

January brings snow and resolutions!

We may make our resolutions in January,

or even think about them in December, 

but how many of us really carry them out.

by February we have lagged, if we even managed a decent start! (I didn't!) 

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire

 some of us know the reason! 

Some of us are aligned with nature!  

That white snow is a blanket, covering, protecting, beautifying, and giving rest to the land. 

Wood piles ready...

Of old, we spent summer and fall storing our food, stacking our fuel, working against the winter to come.

Winter, then, is traditionally the time of resting and reflecting and using that wood for cozy fires 

Snow going

True,

snow to some of  us is skiing ,  snowboarding,

snow shoeing, ice fishing...

but those are rest in their ways

They are ways to wait for the snow to  go...

When we see the tell tale signs of the snow piles shrinking, 

of the ground patches spreading around the trees and rocks, 

Wood piles shrinking, along with the snow!

we know what is happening, 

we know what time it is. 

When the temperature is above freezing during the day,
and below freezing at night,
buckets come out.
The land is waking 
and rising to the call of spring...
It's sugaring time...



And, if we're aligned with nature, perhaps we can now move forward on our resolutions.

But, maybe, perhaps, we could have one more snow storm? 

(For paintings of NH snow scenes and "Lily," visit my website Barbara McEvoy, Artist.Com)

New Hampshire Scenes: IN THE PRESENCE OF A MOUNTAIN

IN THE PRESENCE OF A MOUNTAIN

A mountain commands space 

and demands looking. 

in any weather

but cover it with snow

and it gains a presence

that seems to go 

beyond its size.

Mount Washington 

is such a mountain.

Those of us who live close 

look for the first snow

which always melts

but there are more

snows 

and finally

a jewel

There are complaints

that   Mount Washington

is often 

cloud covered

which it is

But that too is a characteristic of a large mountain (or a large body of water!)

Their presence can command the clouds! 

In the presence of a mountain   (Pastel sketch)

Imagine living

in the presence of such a mountain,

close of far,

To feel its power

To experience its changes

daily...

If you can't live near a mountain,

just visiting will do! 

Visit barbaramcevoyartist.com for paintings of Mount Washington.

("In the presence" is available in "Barbara's Bargain Bin)

New Hampshire Scenes: SNOWY STREAM BANKS

SNOWY STREAM BANKS
An editorial in a local newspaper mentioned the "sticks and gray" of winter.

Morning Haze

Morning Dew

I admit there are "sticks," 


the advantage of winter scenes is 
we get to see the bones,
   the skeletons of trees.


What I didn't capture is the glow and glisten of the dew drops.
(any suggestions of how to do that would be appreciated)







Background glow,
however,
is only the beginning
of the color.


Gray there is, but consider it's leanings:
blue, green, pink, purple?
And appreciate the tree trunks and branch tips...
adding subtly to the glow, never a single shade.


Reflections on the snow change,
even as the clouds shift and drift
giving color to the shadows
other colors to the sunny spots
and too, a blend where they meet.


Snowy Stream Banks are definitely a favorite.
Photo's don't begin to capture the myriad colors,

Winter Ripples      9X12 Pastel on paper  

where water reflects differently from the snow,
and leaves have clumped in the water,
adding both their colors and their reflections.


So yes, there are sticks and grays to winter,
but they are only beginnings.


Find a puddle or a stream, 
and see all the colors of the rainbow.


Winter adds drama to the shadows and sunny spaces. 




Expect it, look for it and you will surely discover it.

Winter Oak Leaf Collection    9x12 Pastel on paper.

barbaramcevoyartist.com