southern landscape – Melanie Stokes Art

July 14, 2018

Looking Toward Texas

melaniestokesart.com — **Of Field and Firmament**
24×30 Oil
$375

This painting came about after a recent visit with my son’s family in Axtell (outside of Waco), Texas. I needed to paint it as confirmation that I could enjoy painting the landscapes there. For you see, we are looking toward moving to Texas. Yes, you read that right!

We are at the stage of life where one thinks about the future as one of the last chapters of one’s story (but hopefully a long chapter full of lots of action!). Both retired from our careers, we have been searching for where God would lead us next. So, without all the questions answered, we are remembering what Abraham did when God said, “Go.”

In the next months, we will be cleaning out, packing, selling, searching, settling and looking toward Texas. Yes, we will miss Georgia. Yes, we hate to say goodbye. But adventure beckons and you can still follow me on Facebook!

I hope to be involved quickly in the Waco arts community. There is a lot happening downtown with all the new energy created by Chip and Joanna Gaines, including new art galleries!

Steve, who always wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up, is looking forward to using all those woodworking tools he has collected for years, in a western setting. And we are both looking forward to being near Luke and his family, who have been Texans for over a decade.

If you need a painting from me before I leave Georgia, now would be the time! I would rather sell it to you than try to pack them all. Look on my webpage and give me a call.

Watch for updates as we look toward Texas!

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

A Seat for Sunset

“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!

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.

August 18, 2017September 20, 2017

Somebody’s Grandma Lived Here

When I ride past an old house like this, I’m drawn to the image. The architectural lines, the crumbling exterior, the welcoming porches, the trees framing and softening the landscape… And then my mind begins to imagine, “who lived here in days past? how many children played in the yard? did the family survive the hard times? did someone remember to go back and visit?”

This old house is in Cadley, Georgia. I don’t know anything about it, except the location. I stopped to take a photo one morning simply because it was there in its worn, aged beauty. Yet, to someone, somewhere, this house has meaning. Someone’s Grandma probably lived here!

I have noticed, in recent days, some activity around this house that suggests renovation. Oh, that we could look on all places and all people as something that has meaning to someone — something to respect and restore, to cherish, to ponder and to share.

July 6, 2017July 6, 2017

Around the Curve

My husband loves to walk in unknown territory. Take a walk in a park with him and he is sure to leave the path. Land uncharted, thick woods without paths, hills to climb and overlooks to view… now, that is his type of hiking! Even when we have a path, he is the one to say, “let’s see just around that curve!” and the hike continues a little longer. Are you getting the picture?

There is something about the possibility of seeing just around a curve that brings hope. You don’t know what is ahead, but you can always hope. Maybe the view will be better. Maybe there is light around the corner. Maybe there is a clean restroom!

In this life, we are reminded to hold on to hope. “I hope you get well.” “I hope things work out for you.” ” I hope the world doesn’t fall apart.” Hopes and dreams can be shallow. Yet, hope is what causes us to push ahead, to get out of bed and see the sun rise, to keep living on this earth, until we have our hope of heaven with God.

Just Around the Curve — keep hoping! and praying, and serving, and loving.