on the studio table and easel

I have not been posting as much although I have been working. I had a commission that was completed and delivered. Several other deadlines that are done and checked off. But in between and here and there I have been painting- inside and outside. For a month I painted outside once a week which was very enlightening as well as challenging. But I felt that the lessons that I was learning, I was bringing back with me to the studio. Not quite sure how, but I feel it. My work has always been nature inspired. There was a time when I strayed a bit from nature based themes, my bowl series, and that was when I was living in Chicago and I was not getting my daily dose of nature in those days living the city life. My painting en plein air excursions have really instigated a dialogue in my head about what it is that I want to express in my nature based works.


Sunflower field

Oil study.

Plein air oil study. Looks like it's going to rain, better pack up. The birds gave been singing mournful calls all morning. Being outside connects me to me

I really do enjoy painting the landscapes, even though I need a lot more time developing my paintings. I enjoy studying the light and thinking about color harmony in the landscapes in front of me.

But.

But that’s not what my vision is, not what I want my art to speak to.

Now I am back in a life that is more in tune to nature and the seasonal turns, I am dedicating myself to delve into what has always pulled me, but which direction? I love abstracted landscapes where it’s just shapes, blocks of color, suggestion of a land form, a strong horizon.

But.

But that’s not exactly what my vision is, not what I want my art to speak to.

journal-exp

So I’ve turned to my journal and exprerimented there. This above excites me.


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And I’ve been studying the photos that I am compelled to take on a daily basis.


Wild ponies in the mountain fog. Mount Rogers, Grayson Highlands, VA. We went hiking in southwest Virginia this weekend. This hike ranks in my top 5 favorites I'm pretty sure.

Ruby Beach, WA

And I’ve been studying the photos I take when I am out hiking. The first image of the wild ponies in the mountain fog was recently taken on a hike up Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, located in the southwest corner of the state. Beautiful and magical hike. The second image is from Ruby Beach, the wild Pacific Northwest coast in Washington that speaks to my soul.


Hmmm

And the fact that when I have a needle in my hand or in front of a sewing machine, I get this feeling of rightness within, even though I really don’t sew. I’m like a kid in a candy store when I’m in a a quality fabric store, but I never buy anything because I’m not a seamstress and I think, if only I had the skills and a project I could work on, I would just cave into my fabric and thread obsession. But for years I am merely a window shopper. That’s probably a good thing.

But I’m paying attention and I’m thinking of these things as I work. I’ll have a couple of things to share soon that I feel speaks to my inner voice. I just need to keep following my compass.

I recently received a message from a woman who observed that it’s interesting to see that I live my art. It is all intertwined for me. But right now, I am sorting the threads out.

6 Comments

  1. Bridgette! I love the journal entry…absolutely wonderful…it the axis of nature speaking with you and through you. Sublime!!!!

  2. Bridgette,
    The journal entry is really wonderful–reminds me a little of the work of Rebecca Crowell. I’m very envious of all your hiking–it looks wonderful–especially the trees in the Pacific Northwest. My son and daughter-in-law were married on the beach at Pacific City, Oregon two years ago. I think it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. I have to get back there soon. Looking forward to see what you come up with next.

  3. Great post about the journey inward and all the outside influences that finally lead to a painting! It’s all those loose threads . . . your journal entry is wonderful.

  4. i trust that you will find your way and sort the threads out if you give yourself time. the photos are beautiful as is the journal entry. your work truly is from the inside out….

    -b

  5. I love that you are listening to you voice and to your gut. And trying to see what moves and inspires you. These stunning photos are surely wonderful inspiration for that.

  6. Bridgette – your journal entry and photographs are wonderful. I love the moodiness in all of them. Keep following your compass – I can’t wait to see what you are creating!

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