marysgardens

Personal photo, Mary Chamie (MJC)

One major goal we have in painting, is to set the mood.

Personal photo, Mary Chamie, MJC

Trying to set the mood of a landscape painting en plain air is like chasing a road runner. Every second provides a new opportunity.

There is no permanent reality to paint from. The moment we touch our canvas, the perspective we choose has already moved through shifting light, colors, reflections, winds going through trees and grasses, birds flying by.

Part of our painting inevitably includes our personal understanding of where we are, what we see and how we feel about it. We are part of the reality that we paint.

“Storm Coming” Watercolor, MJC

One photo, one location, there are many interpretations.

Even if we stay in one location, we continually confront new realities. There is no way to avoid it. We paint through all these movements and changes, while stabilizing our shifting realities through our our thoughts, interpretations and our moods.

Personal photo, Mary Chamie (MJC)

One location offers multiple perspectives, many different paintings, endless opportunities for creativity, exploration and innovation.

My choices in “Breakthrough” are bold yellows and reds crashing against the previous somber dark blue rain colors.

In my next painting of this storm, softer pinks and pastel yellows also deserve some space. I will have to go back and get them.

“Breakthrough”, Watercolor, MJC

I will return to my brushes with my soft pinks and blended colors for my next painting. I guess my mood has changed.

Until then, how does your nature’s landscape look today?

Midway Between, Watercolor, MJC

I’m still searching for those pinks.

Personal photo, MJC

And after that, my choice of moods.