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Flowers, leaves, vases, more flowers, pots, fruit, and any interesting subject matter I can work into a still life.

I have been in Costa Rica for two months now and have mostly been painting floral still lifes. And enjoying every minute of it. The new variety of plants and flowers to paint has been a breath of fresh air. The colors of the flowers (and leaves as well) are amazing, so vibrant and alive. I envisioned myself out painting the sunsets, mountains, and the beautiful beaches, but I am still just in my studio putting together floral arrangements. I will get out and paint all those other things, but for now flowers have been calling my name.

I have started working a little bigger than I have in the past. Working on a small painting is nice, and I still enjoy it from time to time, but nothing gets your attention when you walk into a room like a large well-designed, well-painted piece of art. I have enjoyed working larger; it has taught me more about design and let me get a little more loose. 

However, this last week I decided to go back and paint a portrait (of my beautiful girlfriend, of course). So I started painting, and I very quickly realized how much I took for granted painting other subject matter that did not require such precise accuracy in the drawing. When you paint a nose or mouth in the wrong spot or on the wrong plane, even by a fraction of an inch, it will set the whole painting off. And even the untrained eye will notice that something is not right. I am not saying that it dose not take accurate drawing to paint anything else well. Just that if you paint the mouth in the wrong place, someone will be sure to notice.  

I enjoyed painting something that needed a bit more attention in the drawing; it was nice to measure more and recognize minor changes in the form. After all, portrait and figurative paintings where what got me interested in art and are the reason I am painting today. However I also love painting flowers, trees, water crashing on the shoreline rocks, and the sun setting. And it is nice to be able to paint more loosely, having room for interpretation of what I am seeing. But I always want to paint an accurate representation of what my subject is and what I am seeing in my subject.  If I can do that then I have accomplished my goal. 

And that's all folks......

"Admire what you see, then paint it."

  Kyle Stuckey.