Acrylic paintings done

I think these are finished now. I just have to varnish them. Acrylic paintings, 8" X 10" (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm) on canvas panels. I liked using the sponge with the sunset colors. That was more fun than a brush.

The top painting was from a photo taken in Caesaria, Israel (Roman ruins). Interesting sculptures there.

My new camera

Just bought a new camera and I'm learning how to use it. The guidebook is intimidating so I'm trying a few shots on my own. It is a Canon SX210 IS. The zoom feature (14X) is easy to use. The camera stores very large files (14.1) so I have to shrink them down on my computer before I upload them.

The photos are of work in process. I hope to eventually do a painting on canvas of the horses. The foot needs to be lightened up a little (it was from a photo taken in Caesaria, Israel), the sketch I posted earlier. The sunset painting is an experiment using a book by Donna Dewberry ("fast and fun landscape painting"), but I'm using my own photo, not hers. The sunset stripes are done with a sponge. The bottom part was done with a palette knife and I have no idea how to use it. Obviously, I'll need some more lessons. Anyway, it was fun to work on and I'll keep at it a bit more over the weekend.

Some outside photos taken just to try out the camera. These are from my yard, squirrel pawprints in the snow, some berries clinging to a bush and the view of my neighbor's house and fence (backyard).

Craigsville Beach, Cape Cod

Just a quick sketch of the Craigsville Beach. Pen & Ink, Micron pen 05; Strathmore Bristol vellum paper.

Living in a world of possibilities

I am living in a world of possibilities now
leaving the working world soon for another focus
the world of retirement

I don’t think I’ll write as much
perhaps more haiku instead of poetry
the art world has caught my attention
always something new to learn
another verse to illustrate

more time to hike or walk
watching for the heron at the pond
the mallards still there in winter
there’s always another mountain or hill
to climb, the views inspiring
I say a prayer each time I reach the top

so thankful to live here, to be alive,
to see the beauty and feel all the possibilities
open to me as I approach the autumn
and winter of my life

copyright Linda H. Feinberg 2010


Photo taken on Cape Cod (Massachusetts) this past weekend while on havurah retreat. Amazing not to have any snow yet. We had a wonderful time with the group and would recommend the retreat (or a similar one) to anyone who needs a weekend away from their every day life. Havurah

Running Horses

Just a quick acrylic sketch from a photo of Joe's horses last spring. I think I like this one enough to actually make a real painting on canvas. Hopefully I'll have more time to do this once my business is sold next year and I retire. This was acrylic used like watercolor (used with water, not medium) on acrylic paper instead of canvas or board.

Joe's horses live in California with his daughter Sharon. Desert area, all sand. There are more photos of them on this blog (use filter on left for horse). They are beautiful animals (and no, I don't ride them). I love to watch them run. They are Missouri Fox Trotters, trail ride type horses, not show or race horses.

Leaves

Another attempt at learning to paint with acrylics on canvas. I didn't like the background on this one so I used oil pastels on it to give it a textured look. This may not be a good idea since I found out from my teacher that I can't put varnish on it yet since it takes oil pastels a long time to dry. I think I need to work more on composition, but I was just trying to get the paint on the canvas and struggling with it.

I used a photo I had taken a few years back from Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City, Utah. That is a botanical park that is beautiful that I've been to twice while visiting my daughter. Of course, there's snow at this time of year, but I was out there in spring/summer.