Gloomy June and Painting Joy

It's evening in the hidey hole, here during the gloomiest June for 60 years.  But, June has been a great studio month.  I did that really long post about my last painting which was drama plus and a lot of blood, sweat and fun besides.  Not to mention, I painted the painting. One of my best painting experiences, in that I was absorbed in it on a very high level.  Then, bonus +, my sister bought it and another sister wants a version of it. So, my income this month had a little much needed boost.  You never know what's going to come out of dedication and hard work.  Not always, but now and then destiny surprises!  I surprised myself by setting out one evening in reckless abandon and committing myself, in public, online, to post the process of this painting.  I have to say, I like a challenge and it was one.

Now that it's done, I am fumbling around in a bit of confusion that always follows an intense project.  I'm looking about me for where this is going, this figure painting thing.  Is it going anywhere?  Am I still going to work on the landscape paintings. What will my next project be (after I paint the version. for my sister, of the last painting)?  Of course there are no answers to this.  One day I will just make a decision out of the blue based on what is mulling to the top of my mind as I ramble about.

Tonight, I was looking at the dog, thinking, I want to do another series of drawings of her.  I did enough to fill a book a couple of years back.  Yesterday, I was going through all my old photos of family and wanting to work with a couple.  I'm thinking looser, even looser, figurative painting. Bring the drawing and the painting together even more.  More, more.  Of course I will do what I'm able to do in the end and I never really know what that will work out to until I start (and finish).  And, I'm going out for the day the next not raining day and taking my oil paints with me to paint plein air.  There's one plan

But the photos, yes, the photos, they are pulling me in....

Does any of this sound familiar to you?


Here is a drawing of the dog from before: