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NEW PAINTING Moss

 

"Moss," 60"x48"x1-1/2", acrylic mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, not currently for sale. Because (insert sassy voice) I deserve to enjoy her company for a bit longer.

At the year's end I stretched 2 enormous canvases. And then I waited for inspiration to hit.

It didn't take long for this first one to show up when I was walking the dogs and became overwhelmed with the beauty of the bare trees against a moonlit sky. Initially I thought the painting would be all about the Mother Tree (have you read that book? I highly recommend it!), but as often happens with my work, she had other plans (which means I will have another try at the Mother Tree concept down the road!).

I work intuitively, which means that there is no plan other than to stand at the easel and move paint. I begin my animal (who comes from dreams and other life experiences), start to add the organic/nature elements (in this case a gnarled tree), and see what happens. Sometimes the animal morphs into another spirit guide, sometimes the intended nature scene changes entirely (in this one the horizon line dropped, the sunrise showed up, and then the line of trees, then the blanket of moss).

I try to stay out of her way as she evolves, listening and communing via her gaze, and pulling my senses into action - what does the earth around her smell like? how warm (or cold) is the air? what can I smell? is there bird song, leaves whispering, creatures scurrying through the groundcover?

If this process intrigues you, you are invited to learn more via my online classroom. When I started this painting, I broadcast live for 2 hours to my (Real Time) students, and they had the opportunity to ask questions and see the bear begin to emerge. We talked about some of my concerns, I showed them how I tweaked a couple of reference photos into a resource, and laid the groundwork. That video is now streaming via the classroom space. And earlier today I uploaded a video short (to both the Studio Visit and Real Time students) summarizing the painting's progression and letting them in on what's next. Visit my virtual classroom and see what it's all about! For less than a weekly cup of coffee, you can join me in the studio and get exclusive behind the scenes content about my process and priorities.

Also, don't forget about the studio sale happening on Monday (scroll below for jpgs of the paintings available - you can click on the image to get event details).

Thanks, as always, for following along with me and my artwork.

See you Monday!!

Be well,
Fondly, Kim

 

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