Protected Prairie

Protected Prairie

24 x 24"

oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2011  

private collection

This is another of the large paintings I recently did based on "Prairie Love" which was one of the smaller pieces from the "30 paintings in 30 days" project. Again, I used the same photo, but didn't look at any images of the small painting so I could attack the subject in a fresh way. I am loving the combination of silvery grays, rusty oranges/browns with hits of turquoise. This is painted from another reference photo I took of the protected grasslands in our city almost two years ago in October. The show of colours was spectacular and I must make a point of going back this fall to take more photos. 

As I have been painting these prairie scenes (both small and large) I am becoming more and more aware of who I am as a painter. There was a time I thought I might aspire to high realism, but I am finding that, in fact, I want to paint and I am painting more emotionally. I want react to the mood, the source and subject, the music I am listening to and what is going on inside me at that time. I think that is why, in part, I love painting en plein air because I am emotional and passionate about nature and I can react to it so honestly when I am directly immersed in it. Hmmm, lots to think about.

As an aside...I have added a few albums to my Facebook Fan Page. I'd love it if you popped by and had a look!