Tuesday, August 9, 2011

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!

5 comments:

Pierre Raby said...

What a gorgeous painting Nicki!

Judy Adamson said...

I love the colours and textures, Nicki!

Barbara Muir said...

Love the painting and the whole discussion of how you feel about painting. I seem to move back and forth between loose and not so loose -- depending on the day and project. Your work is always wonderful.

XO Barbara

myrtle said...

WoW! what a brilliant masterpiece.=D
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Nicki said...

Pierre, thank you!



Judy, I love these colours too. It's been fun to dabble in a new palette with these prairie scenes (both large and small).

Nicki



Hi Barbara,

This was a fun one to do. I really enjoyed the foreground, just moving the paint around to create different patterns.

Yes, I will probably always vary in my style a bit, but there was a time that photo realism is where I wanted to head, but I don't feel as strongly about that anymore. Of course I may change my mind yet again!
XO Nicki



Hi Myrtle,

Thank you! I am happy you took the time to stop and leave some words on the last two posts. Stop by anytime!

Nicki