Umlauf's Pond

Umlauf's Pond | 11" x 7" oil on panel | Flanegan | sold

I began painting this outdoors and finished it in the studio yesterday, a year and a half later.  A friend's comment had given me pause, rightfully so. It's good and necessary to periodically discern what we're trying to say with our work.

Some say water lilies have already been done. This may be true, but I learn so much while painting them. And I'm not competing with the Masters anyway - what if we all gave up painting subjects that have already been painted? What a loss that would be.

Hopefully we learn from the Masters, but make each composition our own. I love that the sound of rippling water from the fish surfacing for food still lingers with this painting. 

Here's her twin {I chose to split the panel} posted in January of last year.  In my painting above I used a reference photo with the sun behind the clouds as you can see with the tighter range of values as compared to the sunny skies with the linked painting.

Happy to see that I've loosened up a bit, with a little help from my friends.

: )

Umlauf's Lilies

Lily's pad | 11" x 7" oil on wood panel | Flanegan | nfs

This was the last painting from my AMOA Plein Air class taught by Austin's own Laurel Daniel. Her work is transporting and as an instructor - a lovely, generous spirit.

That morning at Umlauf's Sculpture Garden was quite memorable. When we arrived temps were in the 30s, but it was sunny, the birds were chirping and the sculpted figures were good company.

Originally an 11x14, I ended up cutting the painting in half  - I was much happier with the composition - split happens.

; )