Risking the Weather to Paint

Copper Canyon Stream, Acrylic on Canvas. In-process.

 

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.

John F. Kennedy

Have you ever worked on something for so long that you can't do it anymore? I've been working on a large abstract painting which I resisted hugely this week. Finally, on Friday, I decided to go outside to the land to paint. Since it's been raining and flooding for over a week (and on/off for a month), I was excited to see the waterfall again to witness it gushing strongly down the rocks.

Plein Air Painting In Process

Copper Canyon Stream

I prepared a canvas on Monday. All I had to do was pack my backpack and grab the canvas. Off I went. I arrived at Copper Canyon Trailhead and unloaded my gear. I hurried to the rail, ducked under, and hurried down the trail. It was after 3 pm, so I wanted to get to the waterfall quickly to paint and hike back before dark.

At Copper Canyon Trailhead

Camp Verde, AZ

I wasn't sure if I should go because of the impending rain. But, oh man, I was determined to see that waterfall and paint at its edge! But the further I went, sliding on the mud in places, I finally turned back to the car. I stood at the railing and wondered if it was raining in the mountains. Maybe it was just sunlight rays. 😀 I got in the car after deciding it was too risky. I drove about 1/4 mile and turned around at the shooting range.

 

I am going to paint! I prayed to God and the powers-to-be to lift the clouds and hold the rain until I got back home. Faith! I must have faith! I hadn't felt such determination in myself for a long time. It felt exhilarating. 

“It’s his crazy risk-taking that makes his work extra special.” –Forbidden City, William Bell

So, out of the car again, I grabbed my gear and marched down the trail, not to be stopped by anything. I walked quicker than I ever had to beat the rain and the light. I finally reached the turn-off for the waterfall.

The perfect spot to paint nature.

What? No!!! It can't be! The area was closed! I wasn't going to get to the waterfall after all my gyrations. I felt tempted to go anyway. But I figured the U. S. Forest Service had good reason for closing it, so I stood incredulous for a few minutes and turned back down the trail in search of another spot anywhere near as exciting to paint.

I found one spot where the stream had a nice zig-zag in its curve. And the trees were amazing. A clearing to lay my canvas on was there too.

Canvas ready to paint!

A young couple gazed my way as they walked down the trail. I waved and said hi. They walked on.

My excitement returned. I was going to paint. To be outside painting is still a thrill for me. And painting on the ground is freeing and fun; it connects me to the land. I painted until it felt time to go when the clouds were getting dark. I could feel rain in the air. The way the trails flood would not be safe to be out there. I made enough progress on the painting to be satisfied.

The painting as it is now.

I laid the painting on the deck floor when I returned home. It was cold and windy, so I put my coat and hat on and worked on the upper right section, and painted white over the background. I'll hang it on the wall inside and see what else needs to be done. It's wild and free right now, just like the land and the nature scene where I painted. I want to let that rough, authentic, wild side of its essence shine through.

Working on the deck after I returned home.

Living with fear stops us from taking risks, and if you don't go out on the branch, you're never going to get the best fruit.

Sarah Parish

I'd love to hear from you!

Please let me know your thoughts. Have you taken risks that panned out? Do you like the wild nature of this painting's expression?

New Abstract Painting: The Sum of the Parts

The Sum of the Parts, 41.75 x 37.75 x 0 inches, Mixed Media Collage on Paper

"The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts" - Aristotle 

 Original mixed media painting by artist Mary Rush. Collage paper pieces, acrylic paint, and acrylic mediums combine to create a unique work of art. The color scheme of yellow and turquoise is warm and pleasing. The large original artwork is approximately 42 x 38 inches. Hang from hooks as shown or frame it. 

 Separate collage pieces stayed separate during the entire painting process. The overall golden color of yellow ochre and cadmium yellow gives a warm glow. The warmth is offset by light and dark turquoise. 

The collage pieces were painted, cut, and then adhered to the painting before painting began. You can see the collage pieces before they became part of this painting.

The painted and cut collage pieces.

The in-process video takes you through the parts of this painting before its completion.

Purchase Information

The Light and Dark - Two New Small Works on Paper

The Light and Dark - new works on paper.

It's hard to believe that I worked on these two simultaneously; both received collage pieces from the same painting source. 

 

I finished the second one (The Dark) a day later. What a difference a day makes, as they say. Every day is a new vibe. I like to finish a painting on the same day, although this rarely happens.

 

I was afraid that I had pushed The Dark too far. But, hahaha, that's what the dark is all about, I guess. 

The Light, 14.875 x 20.8125 inches, Mixed Media Collage on Paper

 

Paper - Love/Hate?

I've had a love/hate relationship working with this paper. It's drawing paper, not meant for water media. I reinforced the front and back with gesso and other mediums before and during painting to prevent buckling of the surface. 

 

The previous painting, Painting 154, felt like I didn't get the mix right, although it looks fine. These two paintings ended up thick with a textured, bulky hand to them. You can't get the feeling of the quality in this digital format. In-person, they emanate the grit of the working process behind the scenes. 

 

I haven't worked in a collage technique for a long time. I found it enjoyable. Cutting paper dolls was my all-time favorite activity as a child. Cutting the paper and gluing it onto the paintings was fun for my inner girl.

The Dark, 14.75 x 20.75 inches, Mixed Media Collage on Paper

 

Thoughts?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. They are available. They might be up on my Artwork Archive website by the time you read this. My trackpad and keyboard batteries are going dead; I'm wrapping up this blog article before I upload them to the website. If you are interested, you know how to reach me - email mary@wildfeatherfineart.com.