Painting Like Monet

Lake Bridge, 2011
Original oil on canvas panel
4.5" x 5" unframed • N/A

I trust that all you faithful Readers out there have recovered from your Thanksgiving feasts and survived the traditional weekend shopping binge. True Confession time: I stuffed myself at the relatives' house (Thank you, Elena and Praveen for a wonderful dinner!) and cyber-shopped for 3 days.

However, the Saturday before all the hub-bub, I went with the local plein air painting group and enjoyed a quiet morning, sitting at the shore of Lake Lily in Orlando, painting the waterlilies, like Monet. Since I am in Florida again, I may as well take this opportunity to practice painting water, especially since it is so plentiful here. There are hundreds of lakes—large and small—all over this city, and Lake Lily is a nice one.

This first attempt started out as a 5" x 7" painting. Over the weekend, I cropped it; and then cropped it again, down to the current size (4.5" x 5"), as the composition of the original version was just never going to "work." I wonder if Monet ever had to do that?

Thanks for taking a look and have a great week.
                                                                                                   
©2011 Text and image by Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Making an Impression

Sunset Series #16 (Monet's Sunset)
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed wood

Approximately 6" x 1.5"
SOLD

A few months ago, my sister April sent me my favorite kind of art book—one that's mostly pictures and very few words. The title is "Monet's Impressions", published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Today's Sunset Strip #16 was inspired by one of Monet's paintings, Setting Sun on the Seine at Lavacourt, Winter Effect (1880), featured in the book. You would think that copying a painting would be easy; but, oh no, not so. Painted 130 years ago, Monet's painting is still striking in its boldness, color subtleties, and complex layering of brushwork, even in reproduction!

The more I looked at the picture and worked away on my version of Monet's painting, the greater my appreciation for Monet's masterful style and my growing desire to see his work again "in the flesh." Wouldn't a trip to New York, to the Museum of Modern Art to stand in front of Monet's 40-foot triptych of Water Lilies be a cool (and cooling) treat—especially for these dog days of August?

Thanks for taking a look. Keep cool...with art!
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved. 

Single Tulip

Single Tulip, 2011

Original Painting: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3" linen panel
Private Collection

Painting from observation is challenging and rewarding, since a simple subject matter can be radically altered by repositioning, lighting, background, and viewpoint. One need only consider Monet's 30 paintings of Rouen Cathedral illuminated at different times of day in various seasons to become aware of such possibilities.

Last week I posted the first version of this tulip in a small glass ("Tuesday's Tulip"), painted from direct observation. A couple of days later I did a second painting of the same tulip, in a little different position and illuminated in a different light. If the poor flower hadn't finally wilted, I might have done a third version. (Cathedrals don't present this kind of problem!)

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
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Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Final view of the pond

Homage to Monet #4

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

As the last post for June, I'm posting the fourth and final porcelain painting on ceramic tile that I've completed, inspired by Monet's water lilies.

Meanwhile, back in the studio, I am starting a small flower painting. Maybe it will be ready for Thursday. See you then.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Bassin trois...a la Monet!

Homage to Monet #3

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

From the emails I've gotten in the past week, it seems that many of my readers are enjoying these Monet-inspired porcelain paintings of water lilies on ceramic tiles. So, here's a third view of "the pond"...inspired by Monet.

Some of you have mentioned that these painted tiles could be a great decorative touch in a bathroom, either incorporated into the tile wall, a sink back splash, or just framed as a piece of "bathroom art." All good ideas, I think, although poor old Claude might be taken aback!

Nevertheless, if you think of a use for these paintings on ceramic tile, let me know. I'd like to hear your ideas!
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Another View...a la Monet

Homage to Monet #2

Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

Now that we are "officially" into the summer season, here's another view of "the pond"...inspired by Monet. Enjoy! See you Thursday.
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Text and image 2009, Carol Adamec

Summer Pond...Monet style

Homage to Monet #1
Porcelain paint on ceramic tile
4.25" x 4.25"

Rather than painting this week, I have been going through my studio, checking my inventory, and framing, getting ready for my July exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri (which you'll hear more about soon).

I came across a box of ceramic tiles--the kind that you install in a bathroom or kitchen--and found some that I had painted on with porcelain paints. I did these tiles several years ago, inspired by a large water lily painting by Monet that I had seen in a museum. The porcelain paints are fairly transparent and dry within minutes, so you have to work quickly and loosely.

These were fun to do and I'll probably be showing a few others next week. I think they have a "summery" quality to them.

Thanks for taking a look today. Have a great weekend, and "Happy Father's Day" to all the Dads out there, too. See you Monday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.