duck river

Yesterday I took the day off from painting to take a drive down south with my dog Umber. I researched the terrain of the landscape using google earth, and even studied the weather patterns for the last month, hoping to find trees that still had green leaves. This late frost situation has really compromised my ability to find new subjects! The highlight of the day was finally getting to see the Duck River. It is beautiful and slow, carving out deep channels through the limestone that seems to substitute for topsoil in the southern part of the state. We took some time to wander along a path that follows it, and Umber even had a little swim.

distant field study

Back in the studio today, I have been working on producing new paintings to restock several galleries. This is a palette I have felt very connected with lately, soft blues and greens. I like the haze in the atmosphere, pushing back the rows of hills. It grows my anticipation of summer, humid and hazy.

knotted tree

This weekend we ventured out to Beaman Park once again, unable to resist the perfect spring weather. We explored the upper ridge trail this time, sad to see all the black leaves dangling from the trees. It was surprising to see how many trees on the trail had deformities, presumably from disease. They made for some interesting forms, though, and this large trunk was one of the most unusual.

iris

Once again breaking my "no flowers" rule (which is starting to seem pointless), I couldn't resist this lonely iris that miraculously bloomed overnight. After the massive frosts we had here in Tennessee over the past two weeks, it is amazing this delicate wonder made it through. I wish I could say the same for the leaves on the trees-- it looks more like autumn than spring in some places with all the black and maroon leaves withered on the branches. This is the exact variety of iris that grew in my front yard as a little girl. Their appearance always meant long summer days soon to come.

hazy horizon

Still sorting through images to plan the week in the studio, I found this image that I think will translate well to a larger piece. I attempted it in a smaller study several years ago, but I would like to revisit it in large scale. I love the palette of faint purples and pale blue-greens.

almost bare

I once painted a very distant view of a hillside, nearly bare but for a few clumps of trees. It turned out to be very desolate and almost unfriendly, and never sold. I have always been fond of this type of imagery, though. There is something appealing about a broad view from a long distance. I am still searching for a way to make it work in a less stark approach.

hill rows

Sometimes I find inspiration from old reference images...looking back through old pictures brings back memories and inspires new perspectives on familiar subjects. I painted a version of this image a couple of years ago, but found a different view of the spot that I'm considering revisiting...still working out the palette.

cumberland river

Today seemed like the perfect day to get out and gather some reference...a little overcast, warm, and slow. I made myself complete a painting, and then I set out to explore a county nearby I have never visited--Trousdale. It looked promising on the map, as the Cumberland River winds through it. I found this spot where the highway curves along a cliff high above the river. Otherwise, the trip was not so abundant with imagery, but I did find some lovely creeks and fields that will be more paintable when the leaves come in about a month from now.

marsh study

This is a study for a larger piece I completed today of a marshy area near Nashville. I have painted this subject before in a different format, but I really liked the final format of the large painting today, long and horizontal. The study has a life of its own, quick and painterly, a nice change from the more labored final product.

field study

Back in the studio today, I am working on ideas for some larger paintings. I have painted images of this spot before, but I recently came across some imagery that is elongated and would work well as a long, narrow composition. I thought this would be a good way to work out the palette before attempting a different layout.

pisgah national forest

We stopped in the Pisgah National Forest to stretch, let the dog splash in a mountain stream, and inspect our destroyed exhaust system. Yes, that's right. From the moment my bid was accepted as the winner, I feared that the 1988 dinosaur of a Cruiser would not make it the 400 miles back to Nashville, but it was the "reliable" Jetta that had issues in the end. The pipe to the catalytic converter snapped in half about 200 miles into the trip, resulting in an embarassing, sportscar-like, deafening drone for the rest of the weekend. At least this spot was quiet and tranquil, a peaceful mountain stream winding around a mountain, spotted with groves of trees.

mountain ridge

To make a long story short, I spontaneously purchased a beautiful red 1988 FJ62 Toyota Landcruiser on ebay last week, prompting us to drive to North Carolina over the weekend. Although it was probably one of the most insane things I've ever done, it has actually turned out well! We made it home in the "beast" just fine, and had a chance to drive all the way across the Smoky Mountains through snow and rain. This ridge was visible on the way east, a little misty and barren in the early spring cold.

tree row study

I have been preparing to return to the studio and catch up on lost time, so I have been sifting through old images looking for new inspiration. I found an image of a row of trees on a ridge at dusk and wanted to try the combination with light that I observed on the long drive home yesterday. It will take some more experimentation before the image is ready for a larger painting.

reclining nude study

After several days of resting my shoulder and having other adventures (to be described later), I am finally catching up on posts. This week I will hopefully be able to resume a regular painting schedule. This piece is based on a drawing I did in the last session of the figure class, our last class until summer. It was such a positive and invigorating experience working with the students, all of whom were enthusiastic and motivated. I always learn a great deal when I teach, and this was no exception.

gallatin road

Last night I noticed the sound of the trains going through my neighborhood late at night. The trestle is near enough to my house that I can often hear them rumbling as they pass. I drive under it whenever I go downtown, past the used-tire shops, barbecue joints, and used car lots that make up this urban neighborhood...never short on interesting sights.

in flight

Yesterday on our walk in Shelby Park this plane flew low overhead and I managed to get a shot of it. It seems to be an Air Force plane, a common sight this close to bases like Fort Campbell. Airplanes were a motif in a recurring dream I had as a child, and I still find them a fascinating subject visually.

grackle

Since I have been trying to heal my shoulder (mostly unsuccessfully), my dog been moping around the house, missing our walks. We finally ventured out to Shelby Park today for a little stroll. The cold has not stifled the procreative urge in the birds inhabiting the marsh-- we witnessed several displays of male bravado in mallards, cardinals, and even this grackle. At first, I thought it was puffing itself up since I was getting too close with my camera, but then its partner came into view out of the brush, flying up to meet it as we moved along.

easter sunday

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday here, though a bit cold. We went to church for the first time in quite a while, and spent the remainder of the day with friends and family...a day filled with gratitude and contentment.

kentucky tree

I have painted a couple of different versions of this tree, one that I spotted on a farm during a drive through southern Kentucky last fall. It has a very strong presence that I still have yet to capture.

malcolm holcombe

Friday night we had the all too rare opportunity to hear one of our favorite songwriters, Malcolm Holcombe. Malcolm is the real thing, hailing from the mountains of western North Carolina. His gravelly voice is certainly best experienced live, when he always surprises with improvisation and performances filled with heart.