Painting a Winner

I tend to be the type of painter that feeds on first creating an image in my mind or during dream time. Using real time , real life events and elements. A painting might be born in a title first, or come from a theme for a specific show. The following painting , "Listen to the Orchids Sasha" took work and the concept evolved to solve specific composition challenges.

For this painting, my first ideas came about when I visited my son and daughter-n-law this last Christmas. My grandchildren are grandkitties! Two beautiful "temple" cats, Puppy and his sister Sasha. I told my son that I wanted to paint Sasha for his Birthday painting this year.
This painting quickly evolved into one for the theme of an upcoming show, "Orchid Fantasy", to be held during our town, Hanapepe Orchid Festival, March 27-28, 2009. So I wanted to have orchids in the painting. I was attempting to create a lei (necklace) of orchids. Took the above painting to another artist friend, Marionette, for some critique because I wasn't satisfied with the composition and needed her eye. She mentioned that the orchids around the border were a distraction and I agreed.

Fortunately painting with acrylics is very forgiving. I painted out about half the orchids. I thought of adding a butterfly. I also decided to have Sasha cat-napping with eyes closed, rather then looking out with her intense stare. Make it like she was listening to what the orchids might have to say.


I quickly decided that the butterfly wasn't going to work for this particular painting. So I painted it out too. IT took a few days of looking at the painting and figuring out what I needed to add to balance and complete this painting. I started three other paintings during this time but still had this one to mull over the composition and bring it to completion.

I added some green leaves of orchids to pull the composition into balance. Finally satisfied with the composition through its many evolutions I entered the painting into the show. "Listen to the Orchids Sasha" received an award for the "Orchid Fantasy" show.

"Listen to the Orchids Sasha" © Schar 2009

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It was very thrilling to go up to a stage after having my name and award announced in front of hundreds of people and then to have congratulations hugs from many. But the most memorable moment was when my friend Marionette told me , " you worked hard on that painting and deserved the award". I realized that often as an artist, I forget the process of making a vision evolve and work, and honoring the dedication it then takes to complete a painting rather then stack it away for a later day in storage. I also realized just how important it is to go to a fellow artist, putting ourselves out there and ask for a critique. Mahalo nui loa, Marionette, for your critical eyes, good heart and guiding words for this painting!

Tropical Spring!

Tis Spring! Handel is playing in the background and images in twenty-four shades of green dance in my mind. Spring is the season most of the world emerges from the darkened days of Winter. Spring is the reason to come alive and move our life outside. Notice all those things around us that are rejoicing the ret urn of Spring. Move in the light of the sun, run from the rain.

It has been nearly ten years sin c e I first came to the islands to live all year round. I had visited each "season" over 30 years and was o ften told there are only two seasons on the island. The "rainy season "and "trade wind season". As for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, and having four distinctive times of climate and light change, on the island there are two distinct times. Months of enormous downpours and months with gentle whirling winds that cool from the intense Tropical sun.

As an artist , I have discovered that indeed there are four seasons here as well. Not so definitive, but more subtle and requiring discerned observation. Spring on Kaua'i there are many trees coming into florecent green with new growth and promises. The Monkeypod tree with its constant canopy of shelter for song birds. The Mango filled with yellow blossoms soon to be bursting fruit.

Many birds are singing in a crisper voice and longer songs. The Jungle fowl are quieter because of the rains that rush over with intense downpours. They duck under, huddled down to protect themselves, rather then chime away in there joyful crowing. The Java Sparrows are teaching the young to fly and scour for food. My yard is filled with their constant chattering back and forth as they flock and feed.

The rain adds a magical timbre upon my roof today. A methodical rhythm of water running surfaces, feeding the green, fueling my creativity. May you find your magical timbre of the season and reason to look around and be a part of the beauty that surrounds you!

Take A Walk With Me

Nothing thrills me more than to watch the morning sun appear. Especially when I am at the ocean's edge and my favorite place to take my morning walk.

During my walk this morning it was cloudy but I thought, hey in the world of cyberspace, anything goes and I can create a day of sunshine and rainbows for all to share. So here are some of the places and views I get to experience each and every day while I exercise and breathe in the fresh, clean ocean breeze.

May your day be filled with hope, health and a cleared mind to take on anything that will come your way!

MUSIC IN MOTION

"Hush"© Kristen Evans

I belong to this fabulous group of Women artist marketing art online, World Wide Women Artist Online-WWAO. We circle the world with our creativity and fantastic images of how we see our world from many ways. Every month we have a themed exhibition that one woman hosts and designs. There is usually a theme. The theme for the March show is "Music in Motion", hosted by Kristen Evans of Stillheart Studios.

With the Wind© Jean Hood

Mahalo Kristen for doing a fantastic job with this beautiful exhibition of many women artist from around the world wide web of life!!!