Painting on the corner of Westfield and Illinois

Gautam — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:25:41 +0000

So this is today’s story. Very recently I’ve begun to see paintings again. What I mean is, I’ll be out for a walk or an errand and I’ll see a grimy CVS parking lot and the scene will cry out to me to be painted. I’ve been seeing potential paintings everywhere; particularly around Westfield Blvd. This particular scene contrasts the shimmery nature of the canal water with the intricate complexity of the retail shops to the left. It’s a classic nature/culture pairing and I was eager to get out and paint. To me these views are not particularly noteworthy or picturesque, but they speak to me on a deep level. To take the ordinary mundaneness of the routine and see something special in it.

A sunny start to the day

things are roughly sketched out at this point

The trees are dripping a bit at the bottom with the addition of some linseed oil to the paint. The session had some of the challenges associated with painting on the spot-a few of the paint tubes were crusty and I couldn’t get them open. But I’m relishing the challenge of doing this work and found ways to work around the unopenable tubes.

close up of painting being sketched out

stage that it's in at the end of the day

all bundled up to paint

There’s still quite a bit of work to do on this. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get out in the next two days, but hopefully I’ll be able to soon. Let’s hope the snow stays in place!

Reflected Cow (12"x16")

Gautam — Fri, 12 May 2006 02:08:00 +0000

Irony II (12"x16")

Gautam — Fri, 12 May 2006 02:04:00 +0000

Irony (12"x16")

Gautam — Fri, 12 May 2006 01:59:00 +0000

Gautam Rao » white

Painting on the corner of Westfield and Illinois

Reflected Cow (12"x16")

Irony II (12"x16")

Irony (12"x16")