Monday, June 14, 2010

Coming Our Way

Coming Our Way
7x7"
oil on canvas
 June 11, 9:00 - 9:20 p.m
sold

After working on the water lily for a few hours I needed to change it up a bit. I didn't want to take a long break, so I decided to do another piece for the Twenty Minute Challenge blog. I found a photo (still on my camera) of foreboding clouds from the weekend before when a storm blew in during Tommy's baseball game. I knew they would be fun to paint in oils- just pushing the paint around and only worrying about the mood, not so much the detail. The bottom of the photo had buildings and fences, people and cars which didn't interest me, so I kept it simple and pretended the picture was from the lake (as are many of my reference photos). I like the aqua blue on the bottom- in fact, that was the very first colour I put down. That day, it was quite amazing how quickly the weather changed and how dark it became, so I mixed some colours to get a black, ominous feel happening. It felt great to move fast and to paint from a more emotional, intuitive viewpoint as opposed to the detailed and planned strategy I have taken with the commission. That being said, I actually really do enjoy both processes equally. I don't think I will ever chose one over the other. I am gaining a bit of confidence in myself and realizing that there is not anything inherently better about painting in a "loose" manner. There can be really brutal "loose" paintings and there can be absolutely glorious "tight" paintings. My goal as an artist is to work from an honest place and to express the world as I see and feel it in the moment that I am painting it.

As the quote to the right says, "I am large, I contain multitudes."

15 comments:

-Don said...

Hi Nicki,

I say, "paint it if it feels right to you". And, obviously this one felt right... You nailed it!

-Don

Kim Rempel said...

Ohh this feels powerful! I love it!

Tammy Hext said...

I agree with Kim - powerful.

Linda Popple said...

I can feel the energy in these storm clouds! Well done, Nicki!

Nicki said...

Hi Don,

Thanks man! It felt good as I was painting.

Nicki



Thanks Kim! I was hoping it would feel powerful/intense. I'm glad it reads that way for you.

Nicki


Thanks Tammy!
-N.



Hi Linda, thank you for your comment- I'm glad the energy comes across.

Nicki

Harry Kent said...

whoaaa, this REALLY presses my buttons, Nicki.

I am jumping in my seat here, soooo excited about those clouds. And the dark rain hovering close over the land.

I can follow your attention by following the direction the direction of your brush strokes, and so feel close to the artist.

And the broadness of the image leaves room for my memories of all the storms and squalls i've been in to well and be laid at your feet.

I don't see how a painter can paint more powerfully than with the memories of her viewers.

Nicki said...

Hi Harry,

I want to thank you so much for stopping by again and for your enthusiastic reaction to this painting. I am thrilled the image tapped into your memories. What a huge compliment you have paid me... and it is appreciated.

Nicki

suzanneberry said...

So well said and so well painted. Very inspirational and something I needed to read. It's the painting. Just keep it honest! Thank you. Wonderful post and wonderful painting!

Artist said...

looks like it's gonna rain! wonderful job! i checked out that 20 min challenge and it looked pretty cool!

Nicki said...

Hi Artist,

Yup.... and it definitely did! It was a downpour.

You should try the challenge sometime- it is a great exercise. Maybe you can give it a whirl over the summer holidays. I think I am going to get an egg timer for the next time I try. It is distracting to keep checking the clock and 20 minutes goes by quickly so it would be easy to go over the time.

I went by your blog again and you are doing some great work. Keep it up!

Nicki

Nicki said...

Hi Suzanne,

(Sorry I reversed the order of replying and left a message for Artist first- I really didn't forget you!)

Thanks- I know from reading your blog that you also struggle with the whole loose/tight business. At least in your mind you struggle- I always think your work is beyond fabulous. It can be a real head game sometimes, especially when people are constantly encouraging me to loosen up. Loose and painterly is fine, but quite frankly it is not how I want to paint every single time.

I'm glad you found my post at a time when you feel you needed to hear those words.

Take care,

Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

I love both the painting and your intelligent words. Reading this made me feel great. One day loose seems right, the next maybe not. This is like Bob Burridge's permission, which I really love.

XOBarbara

Nicki said...

Thank you Barbara, I am so glad my words made you feel great. You have done the same for me time and time again.

I have to admit that I needed to Google Bob Burridge and I am intrigued. His workshops sound fabulous and I may just have to order one of his permission mugs!

Enjoy Father's Day with your family tomorrow,

Nicki XO

liz wiltzen said...

Great piece Nicki, nice, fresh, loose brushwork!

Nicki said...

Hi Liz,

So nice to meet you... thank you for dropping by and for taking the time to comment on this painting. I had a quick peek at your blog and I feel so excited to have now found you! Your work is beautiful... and you are in Canada! And you teach workshops! Like I said, I am excited! I've got you bookmarked!

Nicki