The Latest Work on the Easel

New oil painting on the easel is this Greek island seascape

Getting to the easel to paint has been both a struggle and somewhat easier than usual lately. Of course, it’s the thing I most want and need to do. Then there are so many things that need attention. Don’t forget that my art studio is at my home, and everyone thinks I’m totally free.

I’m not, but Mr. Resistance is always hanging around, talking non stop, telling me what to do and not do.

Besides, Grandbaby #4 arrived recently and that has been a glorious event. Grandbabies #1, 2, and 3 need attention, too. However, this artist needs to pay close attention to herself. Since this week has been kind of free for me, I was able to put this open schedule to good use. Doing me!

The Greek monastery painting was waiting for more work, but I needed something new. I decided to start a new scene with fresh colors like this Greek island seascape. Having two works going at once could be a good thing, I thought.

The twitter art exhibit postcard was sent out to Edinburg, Scotland. Done!

Armed with new oil paints to try in these amazing turquoise and blue colors I went right in sketching the shapes, darks and lights. It just had to happen like that, without too much thought. I let my instincts take over my actions at the canvas with the brush and paints.

It felt really good to work like that, in a mindful, process only method, using the reference photo for the colors and direction.

I’ll tell you a little about the new oil paints I recently purchased to try. Besides the Gamblin paints I’ve been using, I bought Rembrandt and Michael Harding oils. Buttery feel and vivid colors from both of these companies makes painting with them an absolute joy. Keeps me at the easel longer than I think I’d paint. That is big.

Before I could ruin the progress I made in this work I stopped. Things could get ugly if I get too much in the details. Tomorrow is wide open and maybe I can finish this and move on.

Something New in the New Year

In the Mirror ©1978 Dora Sislian Themelis Oil on Canvas
In the Mirror ©1978 Dora Sislian Themelis Oil on Canvas

Yes, it’s all lovely, the new year and all. That said, I am making hay with it.

Starting the new year right, everyone around me has taken ill with some form of cold or another, even myself.

Honestly, my own upper respiratory illness was so strange the way it came on and hung around, I was sure it was Resistance!

Yes, Mr. Resistance, in the form of a cold so I didn’t have to do my work. Imagine!

Next time, I’ll keep my ideas to myself, rather than blab them all over the internet. I’ll just surprise everyone, that’s all.

Meanwhile, I happened to be floating around Facebook when I came across a blurb about “selfies” and how artists have been doing self-portraits for hundreds of years. The “selfie” is and isn’t like self-portraits. It’s more whimsical, I think, but it had me thinking of all the times in the past when I wanted to paint a subject and the only thing around was me.

I uploaded this oil on canvas I painted of myself while still in art school. I had already painted some other thing, and rather than throw out perfectly good canvas, I painted my likeness right over the old work. I didn’t even bother to gesso over the work, just went ahead and sketched right on top of the colors.

And those curves on the corners? Well I liked to use this old round mirror my parents had in their house to paint myself, and I decided I like the curves so much I added them into my work.

Why not add some little excitement, right?

Might be a good thing in the new year. What do you think?