Uptown Morning – Plein Air Architecture

Uptown Morning, 8x10", oil on panel
©2014 Cindy Greene

A friend and I have been meeting to paint, and ended up in downtown Fullerton, which is sort of between us. It's a very cool downtown and I enjoy being there. After walking around for a while looking for something fun to paint and a spot to set up two easels, we discovered a building that was vacant and had a largish alcove where we could be out of the way of passersby as well as out of the wind. The best part is that it was across the street from this scene. 

We were working on composition issues, and choosing what to leave out to make a stronger composition. This was a good example — obviously we left out the cars whizzing along the street, but we also left out a large grassy median and more trees. I loved the detail in the red building (occuped by a Buffalo Exchange in case you wondered), and obviously that was going to be the focal point. But how much detail to put in on the other storefronts? The Irish pub next door was great — the sign and flags balance the details in the shop window, and if you look closely you can see suggestions of the shamrocks in the pub window. I left out the faux window boxes and flowers painted above the pub — it would have been much too fussy. 

The shadows were much of what drew me to the scene in the first place. It was a blustery sort of day and the sun disappeared frequently. When the sun came out, I quickly put in shadows and snapped a couple of phone pics to refer to later.

After a couple of hours, our fingers were fairly numb and we packed up. After the painting was dry, I needed to do a bit of correction on perspective issues, and clarified some shadows.

Dancing in the Light

Dancing in the Light, 5x5", oil on board

Today I decided to paint more tulips, before they fade away. I spent a few good hours doing a larger painting of the tulips on my kitchen counter in the light from the window. When I finished, I realized I wasn't finished. I grabbed a small panel, and painted the one above. I think I like it better. The light coming through the window turned the tops of the petals a pale pink, such a contrast to the deep red.

Red X Four

Red X Four, 6x6", oil on panel, available here

The tulips are elegant and elusive; they dance and change under the light. I have to paint fast, for they move between strokes. They literally change position as they react to the warmth from the lamp. They don't last very long, but are so fun to paint.

I am so enjoying the quadrant paintings; four tiny paintings in one! I may do a series; oops, I already have. I forgot to post this one I did the other day.

Sunshine on Grey, 6x6", oil on panel, available here

30 in 30, #24 — Good Morning!

Good Morning!, 6"x6", oil on board, Sold

The amount of sleep required by the average person is five minutes more. 
~Wilson Mizener

More shapes; more pillows — I'm having a lot of fun with color. Wouldn't it be fun to have a closet full of accent pillows and accessories, and change up your room according to your mood? This one gives me energy and sort of a "good morning, now let's get to it!" feel.