An Artist's Impressions From Life: Orchard In Bloom

Last week the apple blossoms were beginning to pop open. This orchard is less than a mile north of us. Rain was predicted for the next few days. The blossoms only last a short while, so I felt compelled to paint. Yellow dandelions seemed to compete with the pink blossoms for color. The blossoms became fuller even as I painted. I like the way it came together, but lightened the shadows somewhat back in the studio.

$450 Oil on Canvas Board 12" X 16"

Nancy Hawkins, Artist

When painting en plein air I’m drawn into a deeper sense of the beauty of the landscape. Capturing in paint some essence of God’s handiwork is an intriguing thrill. Shapes and colors change constantly via the elements, like a kaleidoscope turning as it is held up to the light. Sunlight and shadow, the movement of a breeze, makes painting en plein air so much more stimulating than painting from a photo.

I work to capture that flash of wonder the light reveals to me. Spontaneity contributes to the energy that comes through in my painting. My painting is a celebration of light and color. Light is a metaphor of Christ the creator. Light reveals color, exposing immediate substance. It reveals depth and detail. Light communicates relationships, revealing nuances that continuously change, yet have a timeless source. My Paintings are for sale in the sales gallery of Butler Institute of American Art & The Hoyt Art Center Gift Shop & on Etsy as "Pleinairimpressions". It is my privilege to be a participant in various juried artist shows, Denver Plein Air in Colorado, Ohio Plein Air Society, Butler Museum of American Art, & The Hoyt in New Castle, PA.

http://hoytartcenter.org/gift-shop/dsc02324/,

http://www.butlerart.com/museumshop.htm,

https://www.etsy.com/shop/pleinairImpressions?ref=hdr_shop_menu

I also teach classes in Plein Air Painting at the Hoyt in New Castle, PA

http://easternflash.blogspot.com/2009/12/negley-driving-from-peace-valley.html

http://www.outdoorpainter.com/theres-nothing-like-an-old-coat-says-farthing/