Creative Slump?

I've been working on various aspects of the upcoming exhibition at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harker's Island, NC and have nearly finished.  All I have left to do is to take my paintings to the Museum so it's a relief to get most of the preparations behind me.

I think I've mentioned it before but after a marathon painting period, I sometimes go into a creative slump where I don't want to see another canvas, paintbrush or tube of paint!  Well, it's happened this time too but I was determined to keep painting through it.

We planted a new-to-us variety of that old Southern staple, okra, and it's gorgeous!  Really, it's gorgeous.  It's a beautiful variegated maroon color with bits of lime green in it.  It's not often that mundane garden veggies inspire me to paint them but did I mention that this okra is gorgeous?

That's why I chose a few pods of it to try to paint through this slump.  I know I haven't done it justice.  Reds are notoriously hard to shade properly - if you add white, you get pink instead of a lighter shade of red.  You can supposedly add yellow to lighten but that doesn't always work either so I just did the best I could with it.  It was a learning piece and I wasn't expecting a masterpiece so wasn't all that disappointed when I didn't achieve one!

Another reason I wanted to paint is that I received some new paint from an order I placed a while ago.  I've been painting in alkyd oils for a while now and I really like them so I ordered some replacement (& new) colors in various brands so I could compare them.  They only just arrived yesterday so I'll let you know what I think about them in another post after I've had time to play with them a bit more.

In the meantime, I'll be in the studio painting!

Tatters at the End of Summer

Here it is the middle of August and it seems that everything is looking a bit on the ragged side.  The flowers are not as bright and perky as they were just a month ago.  And look at that butterfly - note his tattered back end - not the best look for the beautiful yellow Tiger Swallowtail, is it?

This is coming to the time of year that's my least favorite.  Most people look forward to the time when the weather cools down, the kids go back to school and the hectic summer activity slows down a bit.

I don't look forward to the autumn like most people do.  Give me the spring and summer every time.  I love seeing fresh, perfect flowers and butterflies with complete wings!

But, this is what nature has given us so I guess I'll just make the best of it and look forward to next year.

A Little Update

Wanted to give you a small update on our Carolina Wren nest.  As you can see, the nest was built but we've never seen an occupant so guess it was a decoy nest that the wrens will sometimes build.  I think it may be a bit late in the season for them to nest again so we'll just have to hold out hope for a family next year.

As far as the Cecropia Moth painting goes, I decided to cradle the panel and do without a frame altogether.  I think it looks much better.  Unfortunately, the edges are still wet so I can't show you a decent photo of the completed painting.  I just think cradling it gave the subject more breathing room and gave the moth the dignity of space she deserves!

I've now begun to think more on what needs to be done for the upcoming NC Wildlife Artists Society show at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island, North Carolina.  This exhibition will run from September 10 - November 27, 2015 and if any of you will be in the area, I hope you'll pop in and take a look.  September through November is my favorite time to visit the North Carolina coast as the weather is still very mild and most of the tourists have gone.  The views are stunning of course but I just love the chance to wander the beach in solitude and just refresh my soul.  I know that sounds corny but the ocean has that magical effect on me.

The title of the show is "Images of Wild North Carolina (from the Mountains to the Coast)" and must depict North Carolina wildlife.  This will be my first NCWAS show and I'm very excited, yet nervous, of course.  I have no idea of what to expect from this exhibition but am just glad I'm getting to be a part of it.

I'll keep you posted as more details develop!