Finding Inspiration

Misty Dawn
acrylic 20" x 16"
©Maggie Ruley 2015

 

Finding Inspiration

We have been having some really lovely sunrises lately and my friend Judy Pino has been taking some wonderful photos of them.  I'm always inspired by them when I see them on Facebook. Scroll down and see how she has captured those peach tones, just yummy. 

 

I paint a lot of sunsets, but somehow the sunrises seem softer, quieter.  So I glommed onto her photo and painted Misty Dawn. Inspiration isn't about copying something, it's about discovering something.  I'm going to say that again, in case you are just skimming through this.

 

Inspiration isn't about copying something, it's about discovering something.

 

Judy and I have been painting students of Jim Salem for years. He is hugely inspirational to all his students. I've talked about Jim's painting classes in the past, and if you want to be so inspired, do yourself a favor and click on his link.

 

Dawn photo by Judy Pino
used with permission
Thank you Judy!
©Judy Pino 2015
Judy is also an avid painter and world class fisherwoman.

 

My painting students are always looking for fresh ways to paint palm trees.  Palms are harder then they look.  I tell them the air around the palm tree, the negative space, is what makes or breaks a palm.

 

My students decided they wanted to paint the sunrise palm.  I gave them a quick demo (that sold before I got a photo of it) and off they went to create their own palm trees.

 

It was a very small class that day
students of Maggie Ruley
photo Maggie Ruley 2015

 

Note to Readers:

I've decided to post more often.  I paint all the time but I often don't  blog because I feel like I don't have anything IMPORTANT to tell you.  Well, that's the way studio life is.  You just keep painting and very often there isn't anything earth shattering about the piece.  You paint, you learn, and hopefully, grow.  I'll be sharing more of what I paint, but sometimes it might just be a picture and a short blurb about what happened that day. And some days I'll have some fun things to tell you.

 

#jimsalem

#acrylicpainting

 

 

Kiss a Fireman ~ Day 11

On 9/11 it seems appropriate to talk about the generosity of others.  Here are two painting tips that have been drilled into me by 2 very generous artists/teachers/mentors.  And they are tips that really work to make your paintings better and are super easy to do.

 

1 - top photo - A dark line at the base on an object really grounds the object.  I have placed a dark mark at the base of each vase.  Thank you Jim Salem for repeatedly drilling that into me.

 

2 - bottom photo - A discarded mat close at hand can be used to isolate the image you are working on and give you a clear idea of what your next step should be.  Thank you Robert Burridge.

 

A big thank you to all the artists/teachers who so generously share their wisdom.

 

 And today and all days a huge thank you to firemen, police officers and first responders.  A kiss and hug to you all.

Remembrance
acrylic on paper
7 x 5" matted to 10 x 8"
$45
©Maggie Ruley 2014
 



nine floral paintings in progress
©Maggie Ruley

Thank you to Leslie Saeta for hosting this challenge.

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Count your blessings

In painting class today we sat on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico and looked out on this beautiful vista. I am fortunate indeed. Today's class lesson was abstracted seascape using cardboard (small pieces of old mat board) instead of brushes. I opted to use my palette knife instead. I have been using the knife a lot this summer and wanted to continue. This painting is larger than what I have been doing lately. 20" x 24", acrylic on canvas on board. I think it is finished, but I have to look at it for a day or two. I am looking forward to putting a frame on this and taking it into the gallery.

One of the best parts of class is the critique at the end. You get to see every ones paintings and hear what Jim has to say about them.

Plein air painting for the uninspired.

This painting of a variegated Agave and flower friend are from Jim Salem's painting class last week. The lesson of the class was "what do you do when you go out to paint and none of the "big vistas" inspire you? The solution is to find a very small area you like and paint it life size. I found this lovely variegate agave and his flower friend nestled at the base of a gumbo limbo tree (they have a red shiny bark) and loved the cool and warm colors together. I did not finish this painting in one plein air session, but continued with it in the studio over the next several days. I haven't settled on a title I like yet, but when one comes to me it will go into a frame and into the gallery.

There is an unfortunate glare on the top of the photo, pretend you don't notice.

11x 14"
acrylic on canvas on board
$375.00

Trying new techniques.

Last Thursday's painting class was a lesson on dry brushing. I thought this class would be very good for me because I tend to paint with a really loaded brush most of the time. So I was painting and I was painting with almost no paint on the brush and just not getting the effect I wanted. It looked stiff and way too regular. So I decided to go for thin layers of color in just the opposite way, glazing. I loaded my brush with very wet, very thin paint and started applying different colors in very thin layers. I have one of those heat tools (best $20 investment ever) and I could dry the layers in a hurry. I was much happier with the the result. And then I decided to do some selective splattering and then some more glazing to tone down the splatters and then a few thin edge lines to give a subtle indication of a light source. I am really glad I tried the dry brush technique and there may be times I want to use it, but it wasn't working for me this week.

My instructor, Jim Salem is a master of dry brushing. One look at his work and you will understand why I want to be able to do it also. One short note: Jim did say that I was working on a canvas that was very smooth and dry brushing works better on a canvas with a little tooth. So I think I'll blame it on the canvas.

Now I just have to make a simple edge strip frame and take it into the gallery.

12" x 12" acrylic on canvas

WAITING

I wish I had taken before and after photos of this painting. This painting was started about 9 months ago. It is oil and I started it in my Jim Salem painting class. In the winter our painting spot has a large dock area that is a haven for Laughing Gulls. They make a lot of noise and demand your attention at times. I chose a composition of three and after the painting session I really wasn't very happy with what I had. So it had to go sit in a corner for awhile. I took a look at it the other day and decided that I just had to freshen some of the colors, change the width of the horizontal bands and add another layer of color to the birds. Now I am happy with the graphic black and white birds against the simple background. For some reason I find it a very calm painting. It has to dry and then I will take it in to the gallery.

"Waiting"

11 x 14" unframed

$325.

PAINTING CLASS ON THURSDAY

On Thursdays I paint in a class instructed by Jim Salem not very far from my house. Our painting spot looks out over the Gulf of Mexico and we frequently paint the water and sky. As many times as I have seen Jim demonstrate clouds you would think that I would "get it", but not quite yet, but they are getting better. This painting is 12 x 12 inches.

Here is one of the views from our painting spot.

BEFORE

Remember I said I take a painting class with Jim Salem. Jim starts every class with a demonstration. His demo takes 30 to 40 minutes. He can very quickly rough out a painting in a short amount of time. This painting is 24 by 24 inches. Now, go and look at the Feb. 24 post and look at the finished painting again. Voila! Well, today I am going to Jim's painting class in the morning and then I have to go to a leadership workshop in the afternoon. More about that another time. Going to Jim's show was a real inspiration. Let's see what happens for me in class. Maybe I can hook into some of his magic.
All for now, have a fun day.

THE JIM SALEM OPENING AT GINGERBREAD GALLERY IN KEY WEST

Jim Salem and one of his loyal customers and friends.

www.jimsalemart.com

Everybody wants to talk to Jim.

www.jimsalemart.com

One of Jim's stunning still lifes. But they really aren't still, they are full of movement, color and fun. www.jimsalemart.com

The Jim Salem show opened at Gingerbread Gallery last night and it was a packed house as usual. Packed with wonderful paintings and wonderful people. I took a few shots of the artwork and the people. For a really good look at the work go to http://www.jimsalemart.com/. The painting above was one of my favorites in the show. This photo doesn't do it justice, there were people in the way and I could not shoot it straight on. This show is going to hang for 2 weeks so if you are in Key West make sure you go see it. And remember, Jim teaches a class every Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm at the Sugarloaf Logde Tiki hut, Mile Marker 17 on the over seas highway and new students are always welcome. You pay as you go so you don't have to commit to weeks at a time. E-mail me if you want more info on the class.