Those paints and brushes...can't you hear them? I learned to paint with oil paints, in college art classes and after. My daughter C still gets teary when she smells oils and turpentine, she says. That smell is an express train back to her early childhood, when the world was intact and easier than it later became.
A few years ago, I switched to acrylics. My studio is right next to our bedroom and I didn't want to strain the patience (or health) of my then- new husband with turps, solvents, oily rags, too close for comfort.
For the past year and something, I've been concentrating on drawing and playing with watercolors. As this year's art plan nears completion, I'm turning, in my mind, to paint and board, to solider surfaces and brushier, thicker pigments. I can't go there yet. November and December come first.
I love your comment about your daughter being transported by the smell of oils and turp. As a mom of an 19 mo old and another on the way I am having a hard time finding time to paint and I have been feeling selfish when I paint in front of her. Now I will remember your daughter's words!
Lovely art too. Very inspiring. Why wait to get out the oils. Go, get them now.
Posted by: Lisa | November 26, 2006 at 07:29 AM
Thanks, late commenters! Sarah, I know oils well, since I painted in them for years! In fact, I paint in watercolors the way I paint in oils, which is a problem because the techniques for them are polar opposites. Part of my 2007 will be devoted to learning more about traditional watercolor technique.
Posted by: Laura | November 15, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Go for it Laura, I think you will find oils a wonderful thing, I cant get enough of them, after water colours I must admit ( this is secret right!) I think they are much easier. I love watercolour and always will but there is a solidness to oils that goes really with the way your eye starts to see after a lot of water work...dont know if that made sense?
Posted by: The Red Shoes | November 15, 2006 at 10:51 AM
Yeah, even I can hear them calling your name. Such beauties!
Posted by: Renate | November 15, 2006 at 04:34 AM
I along with everyone else will look forward to your paintings. you do make the everyday look interesting.
Posted by: Toni | November 14, 2006 at 10:04 PM
Wow, you've given me some wonderful advice and I will process it all, I promise! I will continue to make watercolor sketches and post them regularly each week in 2007, but want to add painting back to the mix. I'm off very early this morning to fly to DC. Will be back in a couple of days, with sketches. Thanks so much for your comments and support!
Posted by: Laura | November 14, 2006 at 04:49 AM