Breaking Away From Solitary Confinement

"Elation", 8 x 10, Pastel on Pastelbord

Last night I attended  a Flash Mob Artist event in Oakhurst, California about 25 miles from where I live. This was the  first Flash Mob event in Oakhurst put on by a few of my dear artist friends Joyce Wycoff, Vivian Helena Amond-capone, Julie Mitchell and Kathleen Mattox who, I thought, did a fantastic job. It felt so good to be among other artists and town folk who came out to have fun, create, get caught up with people, meet new people and simply enjoy the evening and.... even a few sales were made at Timberline Gallery to boot. As a solitary studio artist, I find I get into my own head too much too often. When this happens, my creativity gets stifled. Last nights outing was just what the art doctor ordered. Oh, about the painting. I started it last night at the event. I finished it this morning. How's that for getting my juices flowing again?

What is The Perfect Time to Paint?

Morning Light Play

12 x 16,

Pastel on Paper from Canson's new Earth Tones Art Pad

I am captivated by light especially early morning and early eventing light. I love the way the it plays in and out of shadows. Its tantalizing qualities captivate me. For me, this is what inspiration is all about. So I painted this work because I loved the light. But not right away after taking the photo.This is a scene from one of my early morning walks around Heron Lake last spring. The time was not ripe for me to paint until now. Why, I do not know exactly but upon return from a trip to Lake Tahoe a little over a week ago, I knew it was the right time. I was ready to embrace it and paint it with gusto. Is there a right time to paint a particular painting? Is there a wrong time? What's your opinion?