A dash of imagination

Rhythm & Blues, oil on panel, 9"X12"

When I paint en plein air, I’m not painting only what I see. I’m grabbing the generic design that the nature is providing me and I’m recomposing the scene to make it my own. A dash of imagination and a pinch of exaggeration is my recipe for a colorful and an expressive painting that is my own creation. See below images of my process.

"If you can dream it, you can do it.  Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse."
 ~  Walt Disney Co.

As I pause on Mr. Disney’s quote, I feel energized by it. I need to focus on my dream and move toward it one step at the time.

On this note, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With Love,

Monique XX


Popular posts from this blog

New Eyes and Clarity, Thanks China!

Image
Sailing at Sundown, oil on canvas, 20"X20" I recently retuned from a two week trip to China totally exhausted and sore for sitting too long in a never ending come back home. It was quite a journey for my husband, daughter and I. One that I will always be grateful for. It gave us a great appreciation for what we have. If you want to see about our trip to China, click HERE . I did not paint during this trip, and it took me a week to recuperate from it. This said, I did not paint for 3 weeks. When I finally got to my easel, I thought I had forgotten all about painting. It scared me! Since I did not remember about my usual process, I decided to try a new approach. It was fun and I learned new techniques. See my new process below on a 20"X20" canvas. First, I did a quick wash using Indian Yellow Acrylic paint. Then, I builded up with my darks still in Acrylics applying the paint with a 2" rubber 'colour sharper' tool. I used Phthalo Blue...
Read more

Imagine that!

Image
At The Cross, Acrylic on Canvas, 12"X12" (Available at York and Friends Gallery, Nashville) Every time I start an abstract painting, I never know how it's going to end. It's always a surprise. I experiment with shape, line, color, value,  division of space, texture. I ask myself, “ What if I try this or that?”… See below the stages of this paintings.   Last week, a really close friend of mine passed away. I had the chance to talk to her and shared my faith before she left this world. Just like my painting, we never know how and when our lives are going to end.  Easter season is a good time to remember God’s greatest gift to us. Let’s remember why His son, Jesus, gave His life to save us. Death on the cross was not the end. Indeed…this is the greatest gift of all, He gave us ETERNAL LIFE ! Imagine that! I take comfort in hope that I will see my dear friend again. The Bible says: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great ...
Read more

The Gift

Image
Tipton Haynes Historic Site, Oil on Panel, 9"X12" When I paint en plein air, I have a feeling of contentment and appreciation of the beauty that surrounds me. I want to be content with what I have. I learned lately that contentment is a gift we give to others! Let’s remember that God’s greatest gift is the gift of life itself. The son of God, Jesus, gave His life for us. That is the Gift!! But death on the cross was not the end. Indeed…this greatest of all Gifts, Eternal Life! Imagine that! From my heart to yours, I wish you all a Joyous Easter Season. Monique XXX
Read more