Artist Stirring: Quck Painting of a Barn

Artist Stirring: Quck Painting of a Barn: This is a painting I did 5 days after we buried my mother, who passed away on October 24, 2012. I painted it in an oil painting class, th...

Quick Painting of a Barn

This is a painting I did 5 days after we buried my mother, who passed away on October 24, 2012. I painted it in an oil painting class, that I take a few months during the year, to fine tune my skills and to make sure I actually paint something (I rarely paint at home with my family, because I'm easily distracted and always feel pulled to complete my housework, instead of painting). Anyway, I had already missed 3 of my previous classes due to sickness, tiredness and the loss of my mother. Therefore, I made myself get out of bed that morning and go to class. But when I got to class (late as usual- by 30 minutes, this time!), it took me a while to really get started. I admit, it takes me nearly 30 minutes to set up my paint and easel. No wonder Mama always got on to me about being slow!

After the 30 minute set-up came another 30 minutes of "thinking" about how to start. I had a small photograph as my inspiration. I had to mentally decide exactly where I would place that old barn, as well as the horizon line. Then, I had to decide how to paint all those shrubs and bushes I saw on the photograph (I didn't!). Next, what colors should I mix to paint the sky and have it look like a SKY. Next, what brushes should I use? And what color green could I use to paint those trees? Hmmm... Well, let's see, next- what colors would I use to paint the barn and it rusty tin roof? I think you get the picture... I was being very careful and probably doing a bit of mental procrastinating.

Finally, I decided I'd just start painting. "Who cares? My mother just died!" I didn't expect anyone to fuss at me about how wrong my painting was, if I messed up. Certainly, no one would do that to a grieving woman! Honestly, no one ever "fusses" at anyone in my art class. It's full of nice, warm old ladies (don't tell them I called them old. Lol!) Usually, what you get is a "suggestion" of how to make your painting a bit better than it already is.

So, after an hour of "wasting time" I finally put the brush to the canvas- slowly- I brushed the sky back and forth in a dazed like fashion. But, oddly, my teacher came over and corrected me, reminding me of the proper way to paint a sky. Never paint it back and forth, but in a criss cross fashion, so it will look "atmospheric." I knew that, already... Thanks, Mrs. Dollye for correcting me. Somehow, that woke me up from my dazed condition. I only had one hour left! I decided, "I will have a picture painted before I leave today!" I took the leap of faith and put the brush to canvas! By the end of class, I had a painting made (not perfected, but made). I was proud of myself. I had finally painted something the way you should paint- with your emotions, and not mere logic.

Looking forward to the next class!