Ochre Quarry Abstracts

Abstract Ochre I

14" x 15" - acrylic on canvas paper - $35

Abstract Ochre II

14" x 17" - acrylic on canvas paper - $35

These are plein air works, inspired by the visual sensation of being surrounded by a forest of trees in an abandoned ochre quarry, (situated in the Luberon Valley in Provence) in June. I have painted there before and have done studio paintings based on some of my photos. This, however was the first time I really threw the paint, and tried to interpret what I saw in a less literal fashion. I was pleasantly surprised with the results and hope to bring some of this new found energy into future work.
Here are a few photos to give you an idea of what I saw.....unfortunately the light that morning was quite flat, so the ochre colour was a little on the dull side.

Painting an Old Ochre Quarry in the Luberon Valley, encore

Old Ochre Quarry in the Luberon
24"x 30" - acrylic on canvas - SOLD

In May I painted in an old abandoned ochre quarry in the Luberon Valley. At the time it was a challenge to paint the cast (tree) shadows as the light and therefore their shapes, kept changing. I took lots of photos with the intention of  returning to this subject once home. Parts of this painting were easy and therefore fun to paint, other areas like the foreground were a challenge and I had to do a lot of 'landscape editing'. The colour ochre and yellow were the staring point colours for the palette, which then demanded the complementary shades of purple through red and pink, which then required green. Tried to keep blue out of this one, but some still sneaked in.  

Have a great weekend.

A New Painting and Spotlight Interview with Daily Paintworks

I spent a morning and an afternoon painting in an old abandoned ochre quarry near Les Bassacs (Provence) in May, and I knew that many of the photos I took would provide me with additional paintings ideas. One photo was of a pathway leading away from the ochre area, and that inspired this painting. 

Beyond the Ochre Quarry
24"x 24" - acrylic on canvas - $400

I hope that you are having a wonderful Friday afternoon wherever you are and looking forward to a 'long' weekend, at least in Canada (Monday is our Civic holiday). If you are looking for something to read or are just really really really bored, click this link and you can read my interview with Daily Paintworks, an online gallery where I have been posting my art for a few years now. Cheers!