Day 1-Work in Progress - "Hellroaring Falls #3"

“Day 1 - Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 15, 2006

This is a work in progress. I have two completed Hell Roaring paintings. Both plein air, (painted on location), one is a 10”x8” the other 24”x18”, the first painted with a brush, the second with a palette knife. They can be seen by following this link: Hell Roaring Falls

I am going to share some technical notes here, for you and for me. I gessoed this hardboard with an acrylic gesso applying it with a foam roller. I then lightly sanded the board. I love the texture this provides. It is soft yet has some tooth about it. I then toned the board with Burnt Sienna and turpentine. When toning I use my brush dipped in turpentine to pull out the whites by wiping off the color with a rag. I then started the under painting in Brunt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, touches of Cadmium Yellow and Phthalo Turquoise Blue. I put in the darks and then put in the under color with the lights. I used a medium of ½ turpentine and ½ Galkyd, by Gamblin. I covered the surface, so now I am stopping for the day. My plan is to take this painting to the Falls next week and place it on this great easel my dad made for me. It was made exactly for this purpose. The wind shouldn’t be a problem there as the area is well sheltered, let’s hope the temperatures don’t drop dramatically.

Fall Day, September 10, 2006

“Fall Day, September 10, 2006”
9” x 9”
Available at $175.
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 14, 2006

This is Tuesday’s painting that I painted from a photo but was not satisfied with. I worked on it this evening when I got back from Billings. I am satisfied with it. It was good to paint something with color. Gray today with maximum wind speeds again of 68mph.

Beaver Pond, December 13, 2006

“Beaver Pond, December 13, 2006”
8”x10”
Available at $200.
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 13, 2006

Today I had an appointment in Billings, so no new paintings. However, yesterday I was in the dark so I went to bed early. So I am posting for yesterday and the following painting which I finished today.

Yesterday, I sat in my car while the winds were howling. The beaver pond is tuck in a bit, so with the car window facing opposite the direct wind, I could open the passenger side window and while sitting in the car, painting box on my lap, paint while not freezing to death. Aha! I have learned something new. Anyway about 5pm the trees were bending down from the wind and quite frankly it was getting a bit creepy. Just them a flash of light, just like in a sci-fi movie and this weird electrical noise. That creeped me out completely, so I packed it up and headed back to the house. It was now almost completely dark. I got back to the house, took a hold of the back door, give it a pull and the wind is so strong, for a moment. I thought it might not open. I stepped into the house hit the light switch and there were no lights. I stumbled around in the dark, wondering where I put that lantern, found a candle and call my sweet neighbors, they had power. So I figured I was the only one. I call the power company, Beartooth Electric, and to my surprise within two hours they were out moving the tree that caused that arch of electricity and got my power going. How sweet is that?

Fall Day, September 10, 2006

“Fall Day, September 10, 2006”
9” x 9”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 12, 2006

The weather was windy and gray again (40-50mph, my weather station said). In the mood for some color I went through my photos until I came to this one. Since I got a late start on it, I will start with it again tomorrow.

Shannon Cicles

“Shannon Cicles”
8” x 6”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Available at $100.
Laura Marie Anderson © December 11, 2006

I went out in search of something to painting today. I made my way back to Shannon Creek hoping to catch the sun in one of it’s splendid moments. Being straight over head it was nearly blinding as it spread itself over the ice. I turned around to find this splendid spot.

As for those Pinecones yesterday: Painting is like running, and drawing and cycling for that matter, some days you just sort of plod ahead knowing that even though its not the best run and you certainly aren’t exceeding your personal best and it feels bad, at least you are doing it. While hundreds of others are being couch potatoes at least the effort is there. From personal running experience, these less than wonderful days are the days that set the level of commitment, the days that set me apart as a runner. These days make running in the rain seem not only possible, but pleasant in comparison. Today was a great paint day. Not only did I finish this one, but prepared about 20 panels for more paintings.

Pinecones

“Pinecones”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not For Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © December 10, 2006

Christopher, one of my grandchildren gathered these up and saved them in the pocket of my coat yesterday. So I thought, what could be so hard about painting pinecones? I’m not sure, they reminded me of a bunch of grapes, but I am just not with it today. I’ll try again another day to paint a pile of pinecones. For now, I’ve no idea what to do with them to make them work. Such is life.