Monday, January 10, 2011

Calm Waters

I'm finally getting back to participating in the Virtual Paintout monthly challenge.  My intention has been to paint at least one painting for this challenge each month but the time has gotten away from me and it's been several months since I've painted from Google street maps.

This month's location is Boston and the surrounding area.  I found this scene in Lynn, Mass.  I really liked that clump of trees and the calm water.  This painting was done entirely with a palette knife.

Calm Waters
Image size 6" x 6"
Oil

14 comments:

  1. This is so pretty, Nancy! I can sense the coldness in the air and water, too! Who'd a thunk you'd find this beautiful spot in the city of Boston!

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  2. Lynn is the town next door to me, Nancy! I walk my dog to the town line every morning... and it is right on the coast but the trees and woods are probably adjacent to one of the lakes or ponds in Lynn. Love the calm of the painting.

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  3. Thanks Sherry. This is a pretty spot, isn't it? I was glad Bill extended the area for the paintout beyond just the city of Boston. I didn't feel like trying to paint buildings. Mine always seem to look amateurish.

    Robin, that's so funny that it's so close to you. Actually, the picture I painted from in on the ocean. The background of the water looked so dark and like land so I painted it as though it was land. Also, as I zoomed out on the picture just now, I see that in the foreground in front of those weed is a small paved area, like a parking lot but too small. If you would like to see the picture on Google street maps, the approximate address (their words) is 196 Lynnway. You will see that I took a bit of artistic license with this scene but isn't that what art is about?

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  4. too funny, soooo close to my home! I guess you made a not-so-beautiful place more beautiful, artistic license is a wonderful thing. The lynnway is mostly businesses... but with an ocean view. There are small areas that are almost as beautiful as your painting. I think the key to New England coastline here is the combination of rocks along the shoreline, and you definitely captured that.

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  5. Robin, so far in my virtual travels of the New England coastline, I am finding it to be very beautiful. I've never actually been to the area but now I really want to visit!

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  6. How fun that you painted this scene that is so close to where your friend lives! You're getting really good with that palette knife!

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  7. Thanks Theresa. It's a really small world, isn't it? Have you been playing with the palette knife lately?

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  8. What a great idea! This is very cool and i love palette knife paintings. They have great texture. Your abstracts are gorgeous too. It is great to be so multi talented. Thanks Pat for visiting my blog and for your encouraging words. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Now i think i'll try this google map idea. I can find a wee coastal town somewhere in Scotland I'm sure.

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  9. The Google maps site is responsible for many of my lost hours. It's hard to stop looking for that 'perfect spot'. I'm so afraid that I'll miss something great if I don't explore everything. Of course, that does take away from actual painting time but research is important, right?

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  10. Thanks Nancy. The picture is in China in front of the smiling Buddha, who was edited out because of size. The Sketchbook Project is the one that you sent me the link to. Thank,s but of course I am frantic to get it in the mail by Sat.

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  11. Nancy, Your paintings are so varied and wonderful...
    Is there a type of painting on which you use the palette knife more?

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  12. Thank you Marian. When I find a photo that I want to paint, I first decide what medium I think would make the scene translate the best. Then if I've chosen oil and I'm working rather small, I usually end up using the palette knife because that's more fun than brushes for me at this point in time.

    Thanks Jerry. I hope you've been using a palette knife as well. You really took to it in Leslie's class.

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