"Geraniums" and lattice strips...

"Geraniums" by Faith Goldstein (11"x14"), oil

This posting is a little bit out of the order in which it was painted; which is probably 2 months ago. I have been busy today, cutting lattice strips to frame my canvases. It's amazing how nice something looks with a frame (or mat) around it! I hope this is a good, but simple way to "finish" my work. ............I should say that I have a bit of a facination with geraniums. I love catching the buds as they are about to open. I shot several reference photos to paint from in the future; as I'm not done with this subject yet! (I guess we can say that "geraniums", and "framing them out" are two stops on my journey!)

"Green Cay Journey"

"Green Cay Journey" by Faith Goldstein (12"x12") oil

I did a marathon painting day in my studio-space, yesterday. After a devastatingly bad first try at plein air, I needed to go back to basics and put more thought into the painting before I actually picked up the brush. Drawing a value study, and deciding on my color palette ahead of time is the best way to approach a painting. It may seem obvious to some, to do more "thinking" ahead of time; with perhaps, a little less emotion (right brain) for now. In the future, maybe, the thinking part is faster ........and the "emotional marks" will fly!

Is It FINISHED?

"Distant View" by Faith Goldstein (12x12), oil)

(detail) "Distant View" by Faith Goldstein

My studio-mate and I had a discussion, yesterday, about 'finishing' a painting... and how hard that is to do! My earlier acrylic paintings were made with quick marks, and only included the "important" information. My oil paintings are more representational; but why should they include more details than needed?? I think this painting says what I wanted it to say... my marks are becoming looser with each painting! (That's a good thing!) -Faith