During my winter break, I really wanted to get back into the habit of oil painting most days if not every day. In the late summer, early fall, I didn’t have very much time to paint and I found it difficult to make it a priority. Even when I had the time, I would sit in my studio, aimless. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to paint and the negative self-talk about my abilities and the potential end result of the painting were strong. I wish I could always say that I’m confident and inspired, but there are seasons when I’m not. There are seasons when certain creative endeavors feel like a slog. I think that’s one reason why I’ve delved into so many things. When I feel a little wobbly or unsure in one area, I slide over to another until the confidence and inspiration return.
You can tell how stuck and aimless I feel by how many books and supplies arrive on my doorstep and with what regularity. I try to push myself along with a buffet of supplies and new books to thumb through and stick flags in. Those things can be helpful, but the truth is, and you could probably tell me this…I have plenty of inspiration around me. There are plenty of books and supplies and beauty and encouragement. Sometimes we just need to give a certain corner of our creative brain a rest. That doesn’t mean there is something wrong. It means we’re human.
I felt inspiration and the desire to paint gently coming back when I took pictures of some persimmons and pears on my counter just before Thanksgiving. The way the light was hitting them was lovely and I could see how they would make an amazing still-life painting.
During the lull of Thanksgiving, I got out my brushes, scrapped the dried paint off of my neglected palette, and painted some of the photographs I took. It felt clumsy and rough, but it also felt good.
I set the paints aside to work on Christmas-specific crafts and decorating, but I went back to the paints once the decorating and crafts were done and I had a bit more creative free time. I painted a pair of antique baby shoes I bought at Goldrush Days over the summer…
There was a lot of wiping and overworking, but I was pleased with how they turned out and I could see things I’ve learned from reading and working in other mediums making themselves evident. And I enjoyed the time spent admiring the craftsmanship and design of these 100+-year-old leather shoes.
Just before I took a break officially, I started working on a Fairfield Porter study I’ve admired since I found a book about his work at a used book store in Charleston, SC. ( is the book I bought.)
It’s different from my style, but I love his palette and learned so much from making a study of this work. I enjoyed adding so much color to the light and shadows, like the bright yellow under the eaves.
I stuck with studies of houses and painted an oil study of an Edward Hopper watercolor…
While the house is the focus, I really enjoyed working on this sky.
is the Edward Hopper book I referenced.
I painted a still life I set up and photographed when I was in Barga, Italy in 2019…
I always thought it would make a nice painting and it did! I haven’t painted interiors or windows, so this was a nice challenge.
I did a study of a still life by GW Platt from still life book…
…and a still life of a I photographed a few years ago.
This landscape study is based on an antique painting my friends at The French Art Shop curated and sold.
I tend to shy away from putting people and animals in my landscape, so this pushed me to put in some loose cows and I like the results. I also love the little town on the horizon.
The final painting I squeezed in just before I came back online was a study of a Percy Gray landscape. (I used book as a reference.) Oh man, I love this one! I love the grayed-out palette and the character of the tree. I can’t wait to study more of his landscapes and color palette.
These paintings and others will be available in my next original art sale, which will happen sometime in February. I will give you a date when it’s scheduled.
I haven’t added every art book I own to this list, yet, but you can see the majority of my collection listed in my Amazon Store under Art Books. I should probably sort these into categories since the list is getting a bit overwhelming!
29 Responses
Thanks for another “new” artist for me! Percy Gray’s work is gorgeous!
You are sooo talented!!
I am always amazed by your artistic talent, you are such an inspiration!
I love Hopper’s work. I have a framed print of his in my bedroom since a print is what my budget would allow but I truly treasure it.
Do not ever doubt yourself – these paintings are lovely!
Your paintings are lovely, I especially liked the chair and table tableau. I can relate to your fear and lack of confidence but your work really is something special. Perhaps if you found a weekly or monthly painting class in your town…you would get professional feedback which might help your confidence level….looking forward to your sale
Your work is always so lovely. Thank you for sharing. I was wondering, are you allowed to sell studies or copies of another artist’s work? I thought that was frowned upon or maybe illegal.
Good question! Most of the paintings I study are in the public domain, so copyright isn’t an issue. The water is a little murky for some artists because of the Sonny Bono Act, failure to renew copyrights, the artist or estate gave their work to the public domain, work created prior to 1923, etc., but the general rule is the art is protected during the artist’s lifetime and 70 years after their death. I mostly study works from the 1800s and early 1900s so those aren’t an issue. Edward Hopper’s work came into the public domain recently. The only one that doesn’t fit the criterion is the Fairfield Porter study, so I likely will not sell that one.
Doing studies of another artist’s work has been the way artists learn for centuries and is widely accepted. I would never claim a study as my own, sell prints of a study (the customer can just buy a print of the original), or study a living artist (and share it publicly) without his/her prior permission.
Such lovely paintings! I hope you can venture to Lake City this summer to view and paint Lake Pepin, and the surrounding beauty of it’s WI and MN shores. The sailboats will be eye candy for painters with your talent! And a bit of antiquing is available also to round out the day!
I tend to paint landscapes but I love the table and chair. You make me want to do more! Thank you.
I love your style! So happy you are back painting and producing such wonderful results. Can’t wait to see your new collection.
Marian, to hear you, someone with such obvious talent, say you sometimes lack confidence certainly gives me incentive! I’m just getting back into watercolor painting and definitely feeling unsure. I am enjoying myself and I can see what practice can do, so with your words in mind, I am going to continue to try, try, try! Especially as I have cleaned my art table (my inheritance from my Grams) and am ready to go!
Thank you for your honesty and therefore inspiration!
Thanks for reminding us that everyone’s energy and spirits flag occasionally. I really admire your disciplined approach to learning oil painting. The benefits of truly working at something are evident in your progress. It’s very inspiring, and the paintings are lovely.
You are gifted and I’m just happy to be able to see all the things that you do!! Your aesthetic speaks to my soul!!
Oh my gosh, you are so amazingly talented on so many levels and in so many mediums. Please don’t ever doubt your talents or abilities. In your most recent paintings, I especially love the White House with its gorgeous light and the wind swept tree on the hill. And the persimmons! My neighbor has a persimmon tree. Any good recipes for next fall?
Your interior painting was lovely. Google Anne Blair Brown, Artist. She does beautiful interior paintings as well as plein air. She will be a member of the faculty for Plein Air Live Online Event this year. I think your home would give you many beautiful interior paintings.
Marian, Yes, doing studies of other artist’s work is a good way to learn, and has been done forever, but selling those works is pretty much frowned on by the artist community. Especially if you sign them.
You do such fine photography, and the paintings you do that are really your own originals are lovely. Studies are just that. Hang them yourself, give them away, but they’re supposed to be learning tools, not for sale, and absolutely not with your signature, which implies ownership. ‘
We all admire how far you have come with your artwork, as well as your other interests. You are an inspiration to all your followers.
Okay, good to know. I see studies for sale all the time, so I didn’t realize it was an issue if the work was in public domain. I sign the front because it’s my interpretation of the work (not an exact copy), but I have a label on the back that clearly lists it’s a study and the original work. My metadata also lists the photograph of the painting as a study.
I always viewed it as an artist recording or performing a song that’s in public domain, which is common practice.
Anyway, I really appreciate your comment and I will give it some thought.
“Interpretation” ??? That would be painting another scene, using the same colors, lighting, etc. A study is done to resemble the original. That is a copy.
After arguing copyright, and intellectual property laws, it all boils down to respect— for one’s self, as well as the original artist. The grey (murky) area of the “law” is very popular, and is found everywhere. It can be very lucrative!
I think we just see this from different perspectives and that’s okay. I don’t think I could make an exact copy of a painting if I tried. I am working in different scales, making some of my own artistic choices (like omitting a lighthouse in Hopper’s watercolor), using my own style of brushwork, and in some cases, working in entirely different mediums. I consider that a study, not a copy.
In the case of studying works that are in the public domain, I do not feel I am doing anything unethical or disrespectful to myself or the artists I study.
As I said, though, I will give your comment some thought. I am always learning!
Yes Marian, it is, after all. just a disagreement. Please understand that my comments come from my lifetime of being an artist, and working with many artists, as well as galleries. You have to follow the path you choose. I’m a longtime reader of your blog, and am an admirer of what your blog has become and your overall excellence.
Oh, Anita, I really do appreciate it and take your comment kindly.
It’s so hard to paints one of those shiny surfaces and reflections, like your antique pitcher, but you did it realistically while also still making it painterly, which is quite a skill. That’s what I like best about your style – you manage perspective yet your work is still romantic and not “stiff”. There is definitely an homage to the Impressionist period, which is so beautiful in its use of light and brushstroke. I hope all of our positive comments have helped you in your moment of self-doubt, even just a bit.
Love the paintings! Anxiously waiting for the sale, I missed the last one!!! I did however get to purchase 2 of your small paintings last summer! ❤
Marian,
I’ve followed your blog for years and when you began to paint, I was astonished at your incredible talent. I was lucky enough to purchase a print of your sailboat painting. It’s absolutely one of my favorite paintings ever. I also love the portraits you’ve done. I hope you know how talented you are. You seem to be good at anything you put your mind to. Knitting, painting, furniture refinishing, and more.
xo,
Karen
Quite a wide variety of comments here. I’m touched by your admission of creative endeavors being “a slog” at times. I feel the same. Your beautiful works, interpretations, what ever you want to name them are so beautiful to me and it makes me miss my oil painting classes from a decade ago. I also wanted to mention Julian Merrow Smith’s website and his Postcards From Provence on IG and FB. He even has/had a summer painting group where you immerse yourself in Provence traveling with the group. He offers his “postcard paintings” at auction and I was lucky enough to win one of his clementines! Anyhow I could easily see you there and being a successful student. For me, I need to find some more watercolor books and get myself educated.
My golly you are a talented artist. I admire your work so very much, Marian.
Thank you for sharing.
I look forward to the art sale.
Never doubt your own talent, wow, these alone speak volumes. I think each and every one is beautiful and you nailed the shine on the Cornish jug, just beautiful.x
I think your paintings are just lovely!