Melanie Stokes – Page 10 – Melanie Stokes Art

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

A Seat for Sunset

melaniestokesart.com — A Seat for Sunset
8×10 Oil
$120

“I come down here every evening,” he told me. “I come with my drink and watch the sunset.”

I had been painting the swing and the tree en plein air, after a full day of learning at Plein Air South. As I painted, this gentleman took a seat on the swing. It didn’t seem to bother him that I was looking his way. I took a photo of him to use as a reference later.

The end result that day was disastrous. I was ready to wipe the oil paints off. But the artists with me encouraged me to leave it and look at it later. The gentleman came over to see if he was painted into the scene. He was not especially impressed…and neither was I.

The next afternoon I got busy painting sky and water and thought no more about the panel tucked into my wet canvas carrier in the car.

The third day, I sat in James Richards’ two hour session about Abstraction in Landscapes. I learned so much just watching him paint. As he started his painting with BIG shapes of dark and light values in random colors, he suggested that we simplify shapes by painting OVER too much detail and bringing it back to an abstracted form. I remembered the painting of the landscape with the swing and knew what I needed to do to fix it.

As soon as the session was over, I drove my car back to the waterfront. There was the empty swing, hanging from the curving tree. I spread red paint over the top portion and yellow on the bottom. I began defining the abstract shapes of lights and darks and masses were formed. Reminding myself to stay loose and abstract, the scene developed.

On cue, at 5 p.m., the man came back out with his cup in his hand. We talked of painting (he thought this one was looking better), of Georgia (he was from Moultrie), of mutual friends, of careers, of life choices, of faith, of retirement and old age. The time came for me to pack up to get to dinner on time. I planned to put the swing in later from the photo.

Back in my studio, I added the swing and since I had a photo reference, added my new friend, Mr. Lowery. It would not have been the same without him there. After all, it is “his” swing — his seat for sunset. May he enjoy many more of them! And I hope he sees this post!

May 17, 2018May 18, 2018

It Stopped Raining and WOW!

I’m in Port St. Joe, Florida this week for Plein Air South: a gathering of artists who paint outside and a faculty of ten or twelve of the best contemporary plein air artists I know of, from which to learn! It has been raining all day and many of the outside activities had to move inside. But this afternoon, the rain stopped. The sky cleared and the clouds and colors were amazing!

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After observing all morning, I was ready to paint. I went out by myself to find a pavilion (just in case another shower passed over) and painted until sundown. What a great time to be a plein air painter!

The smaller pictures are photos. A highlight of the afternoon was seeing both ends of the rainbow that appeared. The three fishermen, the couple on the pier, and myself, were brought together to share the moment of adoration and wonder.

The atmosphere was crystal clear as the setting sun illumined the earth and sky.

As I drove back toward Mexico Beach and the rental house, I pondered why I love painting outside. It’s not just the finished painting, it’s definitely the process. Painting from life causes me to be acutely aware of all my senses. Not just seeing and touching, but feeling the breezes, hearing the birds, smelling the fish. And yet, feeling so small against a huge backdrop of life. It is a time of worship of the almighty Creator God and admiration of His art. Amen.

May 10, 2018

Thinking About Geraniums

If my Mama could come back as a flower, I think it would be a geranium! (Now before you think I’ve finally gone off the deep end, hear me out.)

This morning, after seeing the inevitable Mothers’ Day posts on Facebook, I went out to the studio to work. I meant to finish up some things and clean up some things and pack some things for an upcoming trip. But the geraniums were beckoning me – calling out to me – luring me into the yard to paint them! So I did.

As I painted, I began to think about how like a geranium my own mother was: bright and cheerful, even in rain or hot sun; strong enough to stand, yet flexible enough to bend when necessary; commanding my attention when it needed to be focused; growing best in groups, she brought joy to those around! (Being from a really large family may have added to her gregarious nature.)

The shape, or non-shape, of a geranium bloom reminds me of Sarah Miller’s creative, spur of the moment, non-conformist spirit. The organic, curved lines are almost musical as they show up “here, there and yonder” like the songs that would erupt from Mama throughout the day. Just like a geranium, ready to burst with blooms, Mama was always ready to share a song!

Yes, I can see my Mama in the bright colors and fun shapes of a geranium. Oh, and the red is obvious to anyone who knew her – the red hair of the Fallin Family!

Happy Mothers’ Day!

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018

One of Those Days…

Today was one of those days… you know, when you have a “to do” list that needs doing, you are supposed to be somewhere to meet someone, the weather is finally looking springy and you want to be outside, and then you realize you can’t decide where to begin. SO you just go in the studio and get lost in paint.

As I was sorting through projects, I came upon a canvas I had painted over already. There were hydrangeas on the first layer, an abstract I had started on top of that, and today I just picked a few colors and pulled paint over the already bumpy texture. As I was doing this, mindlessly, and waiting for inspiration to hit, I noticed a landscape hanging in my line of vision that had the same dimensions as this canvas. What if I followed the lines of the landscape, but made this one more abstract and used these cool blues and greens instead of the yellows and oranges in the first one?

Hours later, a painting emerged that I like. And my mind began to draw conclusions. There are days when it feels like things don’t fall into place. There are days when life overwhelms us. There are days when we just have to give God the tired self that we are and see what He can do with it. We might just come out “repurposed,” “recycled,” and “renewed!” And ready to tackle more of the “to do” list tomorrow. I’m hoping so.

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018

Is it Spring Yet?

I’m so glad I live in the South! Though it’s unseasonably cold this April, I don’t think I could stand it any further north. And one reason I want springtime weather is that means it’s time to enjoy painting en plein air!

melaniestokesart.com

I recently enjoyed a few days painting on the waterfront of Saint Mary’s, Georgia. The breeze was enough to keep the sand gnats at bay and the light was wonderful. It’s always interesting to meet the people who happen by and want to watch. Thank you to the “random photographer” who happened by and sent me this photo. I didn’t get her name but maybe she is reading this.

Here is an updated 16×20 version, painted in the studio.

And one more, painted from my photo taken the same week. Springtime in St. Mary’s is gorgeous, but remember to take bug spray!

Looking forward to Plein Air South in May!!

April 10, 2018

Summer Art Camps

Summer Art Camps? I’m glad you asked… This summer I’m focusing on

9 to 12 year olds ONLY!

Two choices for ONE week camps to serve more children with a lower student/teacher ratio.

Share with those who need to know!

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018

Painting From The Inside

Several painter friends and I met inside the Sacred Heart Cultural Center, in Augusta, and searched for something to paint for a couple of hours on a cold, March day. The Sacred Heart Building, a former Catholic Church, was in disrepair for years when Pete Knox decided to restore and reopen the beautiful building. Today it is used for weddings, concerts, parties, and a variety of art events. Yet, the architecture, the stained glass, the sculptures and ornamental details are still rich with Christian history.

In the quiet, hollow cathedral, I walked around looking at light and shadow, colors and lines, repetition of shapes and tried to find a focus . . . and then I saw it . . . the face of Jesus carrying his cross. It was on one of the “Stations of the Cross” relief sculptures that line both sides of the building. I saw what I needed and pulled out paint to begin.

As I painted, a hymn tune began to play in my head:

“Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

(and the song kept going over and over for another hour while I painted, know what I mean?)

Yet, as I painted the face of Christ, I saw pain, sorrow, rejection and exhaustion. melaniestokesart.com And I hummed to myself, “man of sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came…”

I remembered his love and marveled at his endurance. I noticed the figures around him in the sculpture, some helping him carry the heavy cross, some mocking him and some perhaps begging him for one last miracle.

I worshipped through paint as I studied the face of Jesus and sang in my soul, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

This Lenten season is a good time to look on the face of Jesus, listen to His Spirit and remember.

March 9, 2018

Progression of a Painting

It all began with a photo, my photo, taken on a sunrise walk at the beach. I truly believe that a painting is not all mine unless I am the one who took the photo, the one who visited the setting, the one who had the experience in order to be able to share it.

Back in the studio, I revisited that morning by first painting a small study to establish colors, lines and composition.

About a week later, I progressed to a 24×36 canvas. I sketched the shoreline with charcoal and washed in a rose underpainting with Gamsol.

The second photo shows the underpainting with liquid (Gamsol) washes of color. The third step was to look for “darkest darks” and apply them with thicker paint.

I thought I was finished when I reached this point pictured below, but after consulting some other artists, realized I needed to pull the viewer’s eye back into the painting. An artist friend pointed out some “con trails” (I had to look that one up) in the photo reference. I call them “airplane trails” and had intentionally left them out because they didn’t seem a part of nature. But looking at my photo, I realized that was what attracted me to the composition in the first place. The position of the trails were needed to hold the viewer in the picture plane.

I love the addition –the “wake up, it’s morning!” feeling that the lines contribute to the painting. And once again, an allegory comes to mind: in trying to leave out the impact of civilization on the natural world, I was leaving out the accent mark that added much to the composition. The Creator made this earth beautiful and then He added humanity as His icing on the cake. I’ll remember that and try to stay sweet!

February 11, 2018

Strength in Times of Darkness

I showed this to my husband and asked, “Who does this look like?”

He answered with a question, “Us?”

(Good answer, but not who I thought he would recognize.) The models are his brother and sister-in-law. But it could well be “us” with the sentiment behind it. We are strong together, even in dark times.

As I painted, I was impacted by the play of light against dark, the blinding strength of the sun, and the deepest cold darkness of the side away from the light. I could feel the wind of that fall morning on the beach and the warm comfort of an arm around my shoulders.

My Protector, My Strength, My Constant… all words that I use when I think about God and his relationship with his people. But these words also come to mind when I describe my husband! (yes, really)

It does not offend my worth as a woman for him to be the strongest, for him to be the bravest, for him to even be the tallest. I know he loves me and is my best friend. Almost forty years of marriage hold many stories of facing darkness and many blessings in the light. The faith and principles we base our marriage on have held us together. And in times of darkness the light always seems the brightest! (ok, not immediately, but in hindsight…)

This brother and sister-in-law have seen some recent dark times with health. They have come through on the other side, ready for the morning walk, ready to soak up the warmth of the sun, ready to see light and all that it will illuminate day by day.

Celebrating love, life and light!

February 1, 2018

Dandelion Gifts

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“‘Tis a gift to be simple
‘Tis a gift to be free
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
It will be in the valley of love and delight.” —Shaker Hymn

I find myself humming the song in my head when I look at this painting. Gifts of dandelion flowers from a child is one of the simplest gestures of love we can experience. We know dandelions are weeds, even a nuisance to those who try to keep them out of their lawns. But when a child picks a dandelion and toddles over to present it to you, you can’t help but accept it with gratitude to the giver and admiration for his choice!

Accepting dandelions brings us down a level as we bend to reach the child. A humble place, a different perspective. And maybe, when we try to raise back up on our creaking knees, we will be reminded of the “place just right.”

Tis a gift to be simple, a gift to be free… and a gift to be given Gifts of Dandelions.