New Hobbies! Part 2

We have visited many art galleries and museums in our travels this last year. And just before that we went to London and visited the National Gallery and the Tate. Major galleries known world wide. And, of course, our very own National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. All of this has given me a greater appreciation of art.

I can also barely remember back to an art history class that I took at Indiana University as part of my undergrad degree. The interest level was not too great at that time, I just wanted to get that piece of paper.

Although now I enjoy seeking out new art museums and galleries, learning about the history of that time and the technical aspects of the art. Pat also enjoys the art displays or else she happily attends to appease me.

I enjoy looking for the different styles in paintings, from Modernism to Impressionism and most styles in between. My favorite seems to be Impressionism similar to the Claude Monet type of work.

So, with some interest in paintings, I picked up some art supplies over the summer at Hobby Lobby while we were Up North. I also began practicing with the help of a couple of books. It was a little frustrating at first in that my painting did not look like the one in the book. I guess not too surprising since my 40 plus years in the mostly accounting world did not prepare well for art. It was mostly a science. Although, there are a few gray areas in accounting, but that is for another day!

It was not until we arrived here at our wintering destination that I had the extra time, a great facility, and weekly art classes. Yes, I finally had the beginnings of a new hobby. Our RV resort has an art studio for members to use. I’ve taken two oil painting classes, several watercolor, charcoal sketching, and acrylic painting classes.

One of my continuing watercolor classes, with Diane as the instructor, has been more of an understanding about color balancing and color strengths. How to achieve a balance in the composition. Completely new concepts to me.

I usually spend about three half days a week at the art studio working on some new project. Am I getting better? I think so. I’ve done maybe twenty so far. Landscapes only. Some with houses or buildings, but mostly nature. People are almost impossible for me at this stage, so just focusing on the landscapes. My people tend to look like an alien being. Legs, arms, or neck not to size. So, sticking to landscape or still life for now.

I am not doing the paintings to sell them, although I might try one of the online art sites at some point. I just enjoy the relaxing and rewarding process of trying to create a painted image that reflects how I interpret the landscape.

In our travels, we have seen so many vivid images from Key West Florida with the colorful old cottages to the rocky shores of Maine dotted with sailing vessels. I have many options that I’d like to try to create. Soon, we leave our winter home in deep south Texas and begin traveling again, therefore will have many more scenes to work with!

Here are a few of my early attempts to create something. Maybe artwork, not sure on that yet, but it has been a very enjoyable new hobby. The two still life paintings below were the first attempts at practice.

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The painting below was a special one to me. Another early one, but I copied my late father-in-law’s (Raymond) painting from about 20 years ago. He painted it left-handed after his stroke. Mine is the first one below.

One of my favorite impressionist artist is Claude Monet. I tried to copy one of his well known works.

Well, that wraps up another blog post. Hope you enjoyed the paintings. Most are done in acrylics on heavy paper, some are oil on canvas. All have been fun and relaxing.

Thanks for following along! Please sign up for updates and leave a message if you wish. We are still in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the winter and plan to begin our spring/summer travels on April 1st.

Take care and God Bless.