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« Dog Days | Main | Painting What I Love »
A New Angle
by Kathleen on 5/17/2009 2:28:02 PM


"A Cool Spot" 12x16" plein air painting of the Biglieri ranch












When I have the opportunity to talk to collectors at art show openings, they inevitably ask similar questions about my paintings: Where was this scene? Did you paint it en plein air? How long did it take? Why did you choose this particular perspective? I've decided to use this blog as a chance to let you see a little behind the scenes and find out what goes into the creating of some of my paintings. I'll periodically post images and tell you the "backstory" about them - what motivated me to paint this scene, what happened as I was painting plein air or in the studio, and the particular challenges that I faced in bringing the painting to completion. I hope this gives you a better understanding of my artwork- please feel free to post questions...it's your chance to talk to me without having to go to an opening!

I spent a lot of time this month painting barns in Lodi in preparation for the upcoming show "Rough Sawn" which opens at the Knowlton Gallery in June. At first I wasn't too excited about the subject matter: barn paintings can be so trite and I've always avoided painting them. But as I explored the Lodi area and painted a few of these old relics, I developed a real appreciation for the subject .....and a realization that I had better get my drawing skills honed to a fine point if I was going to paint these complicated compositions with accuracy and confidence. It's easy to just like to paint what you're good at: it's a heck of a lot harder to take on a subject that you know you're more than likely to fail at in order to grow as an artist. I've scraped off quite a few paintings, but after several weeks of pursuing this subject matter, I feel like I'm making progress. My challenge has been to find a unique angle to paint, a different take on the typical barn/mountain/tree painting. "A Cool Spot" comes from the Biglieri ranch in Clements, CA. I stopped to paint the big red barn, but found the design I was looking for when I walked through the packing shed and saw the barn through the open door. Keeping the foreground elements close in value while still giving enough detail to make sense was a challenge, but I had so much fun playing with the tempreature shifts on the cool highlights in the shadows vs. the hot sun highlights in the distance.




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Bill Bonham
via web
I get excited anytime I see a barn. Being a second generation painter, my father's favorite subject was a barn in a winter snow.

Looking forward to the coverage in Southwest Art in June.
Kathryn Grider
via web
Love the barn painting! also your new take for your blog. I am SOoooo looking forward to attending your Oct 09 workshop and keeping up with your thinking for your paintings. Congratulations on your article in SW Mag! Can't wait to read it!
Kathleen
via web
Hi Bill-
Thanks for your blog posting! I appreciate the comments. I've been painting more and more barns and developing a real appreciation for them. And I'm looking forward to painting them in the snow this winter!
Kathleen
Kathleen
via web
Hi Kathryn-
Thanks for your nice blog posting!! I look forward to painting with you in the fall!
Kathleen
andrew dickson
via kathleendunphy.com
I think it is a very nice piece. I like how the interior rectangle frames the exterior triangular shape of the roof. I also like the interior elements in the shadow which create added interest.
carol Hendry
via kathleendunphy.com
I found your website in The American Artists mag'.I LOVE your work! The light is unbelievable Just wish I lived closer.I am in Ontario Canada. I noticed you were taught by Keven Macpherson and a nearby library has his book so I'll get it although he doesn't write much by each pic.I shall keep an eye on your site. Hope you like mine It is yet to be completed but please leave a comment. My work in oils srtarted 3 years ago.
Carol









 

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