Work in Progress

I started a new oil painting today. There is an apartment complex behind my house that my dad thinks is really ugly. He has been trying to create a wall of trees between us and them for many, many years now, but through the tree barrier, the bright pink chairs on some people's back porch are still visible. I have been wanting to paint them and tonight I said to myself, "What am I waiting for?" and jumped right on it.

I started with a couple watercolor studies for experimenting with composition.

Here is the actual building for comparison:

So after the watercolor studies, I totally ignored the studies and just kind of made it up as I went along. In case you were wondering about my process, that more or less sums it up. I make it up as I go... At least with oils.

I just came inside because it was too dark to continue, but this was my set-up:

There you have it! The painting thus far. It isn't even close to completion, but I have plans. I haven't even put in the pink chairs that so inspired me yet because I was so into painting the sunset. I have a pretty good idea of what I want it to look like, but no one else does. How cool is that! I see it's hidden potential that no one else can see. 

The painting is on a 30" x 40" canvas that I have had lying around for forever. I have not painted on canvas in literally years. I usually work on wood panel. Canvas is so weird and flimsy. Super light though! If I was working with a 30"x 40" wood panel, it would be much more difficult to carry. 

Anyway, my goal is to finish it before I leave for Bread and Puppet (6 days!!!!!!). Stay tuned!