I just finished one of my largest landscape paintings ever...I am celebrating the entire experience, from starting it with gusto and a little trepidation, to the creative process of painting, reflecting, putting it away, hanging it, doing other paintings, and continuing to study painting.
The final brushtrokes came into place after I developed and taught a workshop on "The Joy of Color." It was back to the basics. Always a good thing. Each time I review my "basics," I bring fresh eyes and ears to the subject, and understand nuances I'd not gotten before. With more painting under my belt, I am ready for next steps, and fulfill the old saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
As I look at this painting, I am happy with it. I know the struggles, the wrestling, the grace that went into its creation. Repeated trips to the cabin below the Pedernal from which this vista started its journey onto canvas. Studies of clouds, values, brushstrokes, composition. Contemplating how to translate into color the magic, peace, breathtaking expanse, mystery of this area.
I've always talked about the inner library that artists build and draw upon as they work. This painting tapped deeply into my miles of hiking and hours of being in this landscape, and the pleasure of my painting studies over the years.
To see this painting and other works, click here: http://stedebarber.com/works/632098
This painting is available for sale; price includes shipping within the continental U.S.
