Friday, September 23, 2011

ITALIAN GARDENS STATUARY www.cecelialyden.com

oil/linen

11x14



Our plein air paintout at the Felicita Resort in Harrisburg proved to be very challenging. Our first date was rained out. Our rainout date was forcasted to be rained out also. We sneaked in the paintout on a Monday with rain predicted for the rest of week.


The Italian Gardens is one of several different landscapes at Felicita. It is quite large consisting of 3 large tiers of fomal landscaping, reflecting pools with statues and fountains, pottery, arbors, walks, nooks and crannies. I chose these two figures, with the flowers and greenery and the large planter-like bowl. It was difficult and I did not finish it that morning. I was going to return with others in a couple of days, but an unfortunate event prevented me from doing so. I finished it in studio from the photos I took that day. I did a lot of work on it in studio, so I can not classify it as a plein air painting.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

DAY'S END ON THE BAY



oil/linen

16x20


This August, I spent a few days in Annapolis, helping my daughter after her hip replacement. I did not bring my paints, but luckily I brought my camera. Sitting on her deck, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, where the South River empties, I witnessed the most glorious sunset. I was so delighted to catch its color changes and fleeting cloud formations. There would have been no chance of my painting that supreme moment on the spot. So with the memory and awe of that scene still with me, I painted it in my studio from my photo.