Broadwater Pond #2 - Oil - Day 1

“Broadwater Pond #2” Day 1 - Oil
22”x28”
Unframed - Oil on Canvas
Laura Marie Anderson © January 5, 2007

Today I got started on Broadwater Pond #2. This one will concentrate on that lovely turquoise water. Note the fisherman – Karl and the dog – Sam near the center of the painting. Usually, I take all signs of human existence out of my paintings, but am touched by our ability to share these times hiking while stopping to fish and paint as we do.


Yesterday Karl, Sam and I hiked up to Snow Creek Bridge. Sam led the way marking the trail and Karl followed behind breaking the trail. I brought up the rear fighting with my snow pants trying to get them to stay down over my favorite hiking boots that are not high-top enough. Up past the falls the snow started to get deeper and deeper. We went from 8-10” to about 15-30”. Since fishing in steams is illegal in the winter, it was a short hike. We sat down and shared some peanut butter and honey sandwiches that Sam was kind enough to carry in his pack. He loves peanut butter. And a Frappicino that I slipped into my pocket on the way out the door. A great slushy it made as Karl put some of that fresh snow in the bottle. Karl is always surprised by what I might pack with me on a hike. One overnight hike to Sylvan, a fairly easy break in hike, (about 10 miles round trip and 5000 feet up) I brought along the hardcover book “Rembrandt’s Eyes”, 751 delicious pages, because I was in the middle of reading it. A wonderful book to have to read at Sylvan Lake.


We brought back with us memories and a few photographs in my camera. The photographs wash out so, it is amazing just to make a few color notes, like the green that graced the side of one of the Pinnacles, and then to get home and be able to see none of that green. A wonderful example of why I prefer Plein Air painting.


Since starting this painting with these undercolors, I have decided that perhaps I do paint like a watercolorist and have decided to squash the fear and take out my watercolors and paint two almost identical paintings of Broadwater Pond. One in oil and on in watercolor. A grand experiment with nothing to lose except my fear. I have painted about 4 watercolors in my adult life. I would like to be able to be able to do them well enough to take them to Arch and Froze to Death and… all the really high hikes where carrying an extra ten pounds for oil paint seems ridicules. Normally I carry about 15, unless I carry the French easel for a larger painting, like Hell Roaring Falls #2 and then I carry about 33 pounds. I think with watercolor I could slim the weight down to 2-3 pounds.


Technical notes for the day: Medium for this painting Stand Oil and Gamsol, each day increasing the Stand Oil. Colors, Phthalo Turquoise Blue (B15:4 & G7) Ultramarine Blue, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Violet, Anthraquinone Red (R177). All transparent colors. Ground two thin coats of Gamblin Traditional Ground rolled on with a foam roller and sanded.

"Broadwater Pond" Revisited

“Broadwater Pond” Revisited
10”x8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © January 3, 2007

I plan to start a larger version, 28”x22”, of this painting tomorrow. I made some changes from the November 11th work day. I am fighting the rocks near the falls in the background. They are so tiny at this point, the size of a pencil eraser and smaller, it is hard to adjust them. I am hoping the values will now work for the larger version.

"Flowers" Day 2

“Flowers”
10”x8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © January 3, 2007

The flowers have begun to wilt; so much of this additional color is just made up, as one might deal with an abstract painting. I was painting this for the Carbon County Arts Guild February Flowers show; it doesn’t seen good enough to even leave my house. I am a strange moody painter. If I were in the mood to paint flowers, if this were my idea, the spark of passion would be there. Since it is another’s idea, it lacks passion – emotion - spark. Tomorrow I am planning on starting a 22”x28” of Broadwater Pond.

"Flowers" Day 1

“Flowers” Day 1
10”x8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © January 2, 2007

I worked on this today after a holiday break. It is hard to get back into the swing of thing. The colors started to mix and make muddy colors to I have stopped for today. I am trying to loosen up my style. What a challenge. We’ll see how that goes.

Silk Ball

“Silk Ball”
5”x7”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 29, 2006

Have you ever wonder, who was the first person to make a satin ball? I bet it was someone who didn’t have enough money to buy Christmas decorations. Or were they even sold back then? I remember our tree, as children, our mom seemed to make most if not all of the decorations. My favorite was the small yarn red octopus. I am not sure where all those decorations are today, but they sure were special. I also remember my grandmothers tree, it had these about 3” diameter lights, they were glass and covered with tiny chunks of colored glass, each bulb a different color. I think they quit making then because some people couldn’t seem to remember that they get hot and need to be turned off from time to time so that they won’t burn down the entire house. They were wonderful. Childhood Christmas memories: write and share some of yours with me.


Technical notes: The Titanium white was too much for this painting. Flake White Replacement by Gamblin is supposed to be more opalescent. I had a tube. I buy these supplies and then wait for the day that I finally try them. It was superb, very creamy and not pasty. I used it for the ball. I then used the zinc white for the surface. My colors, cobalt blue, Quinacridone Red, Azo Yellow, and Copper with Galkyd Lite for my medium.

Gus #3

“Gus #3”
8”x6”
Collection of Jennifer Stensland
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 28, 2006

Finally, a Gus that sings of his personality. This one I will let out of my possession and now it belongs to Jennifer. Gus #1 stunk, I worked on it and worked on it and then threw it in the fireplace. See December 5th painting. The proportions were all off. Drove me crazy. I decided it was better to just start over. I like this one. I like Gus #2 also, but this one is more like Gus. He’s a standoffish fellow, not very trusting, until he knows you for a long time, and then although he’s in charge, he’ll allow you to be friendly with him.

Sally AKA The Princess

“Sally AKA The Princess”
20” x 15”
Collection of Mary Anderson
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

Meet Sally. This is my little sister’s dog. Sally is a companion extraordinaire. She is always there to please and loves my sister, as my sister loves her, unconditionally. I was painting this for Christmas, but didn’t get it done in time. Sometime I think art is like fine wine, “I will sell no wine before its time.” Anyway, Mary gets this daily email, so I am thinking this is a great way to present the gift. The odd size belongs to a lovely frame that I found in a thrift store. I made a panel to fit it and waited for the perfect subject to fit its narrowed size.

Day 4 - Finished - "Hell Roaring Falls #3"

Day 4 –Finished – “Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 27, 2006

I went back and forth on what to paint today. I wanted to finish my sister’s Christmas present, but also wanted to get this done. The space that I paint in a quite small and cluttered, so moving this painting out became imperative. I started my morning out painting on this painting. By mid afternoon I was signing it and moving it into the kitchen so that I could finish Sally. I am so happy to live so near to this beautiful falls and to think I used to drive into Yellowstone to see something as beautiful as this.

Head of East Rosebud Lake

“Head of East Rosebud Lake”
6”x8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 21, 2006

Change is the only thing that is constant. Yesterday Karl, Sam and I walked up to this spot and it was lovely. Today Sam and I made our way up to this promising spot and as I was setting up decided to place some rocks in my easel in case the winds came up. After about ten minutes the winds were up and I was holding on the to easel with my left hand and attempting to paint with my right. The wind was strong enough to actually blow my hand. This made for some tiring painting.

There up on the granite rocks with the world all to myself, Painter John Potter and his family came by. They are back for Christmas out hiking and taking pictures. It was nice to see some humans out enjoying this beautiful country.

Shortly, there after Karl came across the ice on the four wheeler, pulling the wagon behind him. He wanted to know if I wanted a ride. Not close to being done I declined and he went to cut some wood. After fighting the wind for another hour, I gave it up and descended down the granite rocks into the inlet walking past the beautiful trees that blew over during the November winds. There is yet another large green tree down in the inlet. Change is the only thing constant here.

Technical notes: Medium Gamblin Neo Megilp. The wind was so strong nothing was able to make the paint stay creamy in this cold weather. It was a fight from the first stroke to the last. Colors UM Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Sienna.

Man in the Snow

“Man in the Snow”
8”x6”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 20, 2006

This Man in the Snow has been there for a long time. Day after day he remains there looking out for the creek. Today was another beautiful day, so I had to get out there and paint in the sun.

Rocking Horse

“Rocking Horse”
6”x8”
Unframed - Oil on Linen on Wood Panel
Laura Marie Anderson © December 19, 2006

I couldn’t resist this little horse.

Day 3 - Work in Progress "Hell Roaring Falls #3"

“Day 3 -Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 19, 2006

Lots of hours standing today. I feel this is nearly done. It is starting to please me. I see some things that I will work on tomorrow. All in all a productive day.

There are no new technical notes for this painting. There is a painting process note. Today the weather was spectacular. No wind and that lovely snow fall. The ice is almost solid again across the lake. At this point there is some fine ice skating to be had if the lake keep freezing and nothing changes. HA! Anyway, since I promised myself to make this small painting today and then work on this big one, there was no time for any plein air painting. What a shame. I did get in two nice walks, but many hours outside today would have been pleasant. Next time the weather is pleasant I am going to drop all plans and head out doors with my easel. I found some great new vantage points today.

Day 2 -Work in Progress - "Hellroaring Falls #3"

“Work in Progress, Hell Roaring Falls #3”
40” x 30”
Available at ?
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 18, 2006

I’m almost proud to say that I took the weekend off. The house has been in need of a cleaning and getting some things put away. I’m sort of a scatter girl.

I put in almost full day on this painting today. It seems to be coming along nicely. Tomorrow morning I am planning on painting a small painting. I’ve come across something I just can’t resist. The “almost a full day” is because it was a windless morning, so about eleven I went for a walk taking pictures hoping to come upon one that would serve as this years Christmas card. Although it was a lovely walk, the pictures were less that I hoped for, so I planned on going out during the sunset however it seemed to drop away without any color today. Perhaps tomorrow the opportunity will avail itself to a shot that sings of Christmas Time at East Rosebud.

On the technical end of this painting: I’ve added Viridian Green and gotten rid of the Burnt Umber. My medium now until the end of this painting will be Gamblin, Neo Megilp with poppy seed oil to slow down the drying process. Today I put 1-12 parts poppy seed/Neo Megilp. I have mixed up the medium for tomorrow already, it will be 2-12, and each succeeding day one more part oil, keeping with the fat over lean oil paint. This makes with archival. I have been concerned with archival since I before I was first commissioned to paint portraits. Who would want a portrait that would chip, peel or crack off the board or canvas in 5-10 years? It is always best for a artist to make works that will out live them and since I am planning to make it to at least 100, I best know what I am doing. I am taking these notes, because this is what is said to be archival. If in 50 years I find my painting not up to snuff, I’ll know what to blame.

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.

Gus #2

“Gus #2”
6” x 8”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Not For Sale
Laura Marie Anderson © December 6, 2006

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again