Current Weather Conditions

Hmm. Current weather conditions didn't use to matter all that much. Now, they are controlling my work flow. I've always enjoyed sun and warmth but now all the variables in between are of keen interest. This is because I'm doing plein air painting.

"Tiny Clover Blossoms" oil pastel, c. Stephanie Rose Bird, 2015

"Tiny Clover Blossom" was painted on a sunny Sunday morning. Some how, because of the sunlight, it reminds me on some of Gauguin's work in the South Pacific. It uses a very warm palette with just a touch of blues.

"Garden Daisies" oil on canvas, c. Stephanie Rose Bird, 2015

"Garden Daisies" was done over the period of a month or so. It started in all warm colors, mostly red and then was over painted a number of times to achieve an impasto. The weather and light changed so many times during its painting that the light comes from within the painting, rather than from above.

"Larkspur #1", colored pencil on paper, c. Stephanie Rose Bird, 2015

Now, I'm onto a gorgeous set of larkspur flowers that have come up in the garden. I'm working with them under varying light and weather conditions with various art materials. This one, "Larkspur #1" is rendered in colored pencil on a fairly sunny day.

Today my plans had to change yet again as we are experiencing a blustery aka windy/cold-for-July day outside. It all started yesterday in the late afternoon.

                                             Larkspur #4, oil pastel, c. Stephanie Rose Bird, 2015

My drawings and I barely escaped the downpour. I caught some sun and rendered it in this tiny drawing but the one which came afterwards is grayish in tone and portrays the oncoming storm more clearly.

So now, each morning over our respective cups of coffee, my husband and I, for varied reasons, keenly listen to the weather report. In many ways weather controls our activities for most days.

Today, is looking like a houseplant sort of painting day. On to the gloxinia...