Lilacs

Lilacs, 24.5" x 17", Oil on Board

I lightened the sky today.  Still not certain if that will be the end of it.  Other than continuing refining the leaves, I also tried a new color base for the lilacs.  It will be hard to know until more area is covered if this color will pop enough.  

Lilacs

Lilacs, 24.5" x 17", Oil on Board

The sky is much too gray and dark.  I'm after a spring morning mist.  What once appeared violet now looks murky and gray.  I saw an excellent online video from the World Science Festival and sponsored by of the Alan Alta Flame Project.  All About Color  features 3 neuroscientists, one of whom is also a painter, explaining how the eye and brain process color.  One of the lectures addresses how color is relevant to its surroundings.  This is what happened to the once beautiful misty violet that became a murky gray once the green leaves pronounced themselves.

Lilacs

Lilacs, Oil on Board

All the white is covered and the violet seems too dark now.  I keep thinking of Lincoln and Whitman.

When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d,

And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,

I mourn’d, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.

Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,

Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,

And thought of him I love.

Lilacs

Lilacs, Oil on Board

The lilacs have yet to make their appearance here.  They are in full bloom in the garden.  

Geraniums Redux

Geraniums, 2014, 16 3/4" x 24 1/2", Oil on Board

Geraniums, 2013, 16 3/4" x 24 1/2", Oil on Board

This is the second painting I have recently revamped.  This time I redid the composition, completely eliminating the marsh and am not sure it is better. I keep imagining just cutting the entire thing into separate paintings.  You may see this again.  

Highbush Blueberry in Winter

Highbush Blueberry, Winter, 2011, 34" x 24", Oil on Board

Highbush Blue Berry in Winter, 2014, 34"x24", Oil on Board

Blue is not necessarily the coolest color.  After recently seeing Childe Hassam's painting of Boston Common at Twilight I realized that I was going about this painting all wrong.  The blue just simply wasn't making the orange tree pop like it should.  

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms, 10"x10", Oil on Board

The cherry blossoms have now all fallen to the ground, replaced by tender green leaves.  The lilacs are in full bloom as are the Kousa dogwood.  And I have a blank canvas waiting for my decision.