Back to Normandy

Went back to Normandy last week to paint the Duck River again. Painted the tail waters at the dam and at a bridge with a public access area. I have painted the tail waters there probably 5 or 6 times now and you would think that after you paint the same view a couple of times it would get repetitious and easier and a bit predictable. Well for me it doesn't. Everytime I paint it it is a struggle and I never know if it will turn out to be a keeper. If you look a few blogs back you will see the same view but two very different looking paintings. Also, the spring weather has really changed the look of things from the last painting to this one. I have also noticed the number of fishermen has increased in direct relation to the weather.

Photography

I have to say I think I am the worst photographer in the world. My images are never square and the color is usually miles off. It has been the most frustrating thing about a blog and website. I have tried every lighting situation available to me (without buying high end equipment) . The best thing I have found is direct sunlight with the art angled just right so the sun doesn't blow out the darkest darks. Anyway, I re-shot the art in the previous blog. I think you may notice a difference.

Mud, Mud, Everywhere

After the constant rainfall we have had of late it seems like everywhere I try to paint I have had to deal with mud. My backpack is covered, my truck is covered, and my boots stay covered. The painting I have posted here is usually a dry ditch. When it has water in it it is very attractive. However, as I painted either my feet started to sink or the water level started coming up. The ground was so saturated there that by the time I had finished I was wading in about a half inch of water where previously it had been dry.
I have also set it in a 6x8 frame I had laying around that I think is a favorite frame of mine. These gold frames make a predominantly green landscape look really good. I am getting these frames from Ric Guthrie so if anybody needs his number e-mail Studio@kevinmenck.com and I will hook you up.

To The Bone

Painting in the cold can be very difficult if you are not prepared. Painted this morning with Plein Air Nashville (The diehards, Bitsy, Brenda, me and Doug). I had prepared for it to be in the 60's and sunny. Didn't get anywhere near it and a north wind was howling. I had on a fleece jacket with a t-shirt underneath and when I looked around it looked like everyone else heard the same forecast I did. I have painted in snow, 15-20 degree days, painted while Alberta Clippers have blown through, but I don't think I have ever been that cold. It went" to the bone" as they say. I think it was the lack of preparation. Those other days I mentioned I was prepared for cold, I knew it was going to be very cold and I got myself mentally prepared and dressed appropriately. I was not nearly mentally prepared for today. Anyway, we painted in Centennial Park without sun so I was semi please with my result.