by C.Kidder on May 7, 2013
9×12 oil pastel…C. Kidder
“Come forth into the light of things, Let nature be your teacher”
~William Wordsworth
I just returned from a short trip to Arizona where the light was warm and intense. Painting the way the rays spread shadows over Camelback Mountain was definitely challenging. Very different from the marshes and beach scenes of New England! It’s always good to leave your comfort zone once and awhile and stretch a little. I love the Southwest but I have to say that it feels good to be back home. It’s been a long winter and I’m ready to get to to the beach and paint the dunes again.
by C.Kidder on February 4, 2013
I’ts been cold and sort of snowy this weekend and so instead of going into my studio and turning the pellet stove on and waiting for warmth I decided to turn my ipad on and explore some painting apps. I was instantly hooked! It took some time…actually ALOT of time but I slowly began to figure it out and was able to eventually tap into something similar to the palette that I use with my real paints.
The first attempt was exciting but the colors were a little off. But I was still amazed that I could paint without using a brush and there was no clean up involved!
I’m certainly not ready to abandon my oils or plein aire painting but it is nice to know that if I’m stuck in an airport or I can’t get into my Studio my ipad will be there for me and I can always “paint”. No more excuses!
by C.Kidder on February 1, 2013
~Sketch by Colleen Kidder~
“I decided to start anew – to strip away what I had been taught, to accept as true my own thinking. This was one of the best times of my life . I was alone and singularly free working on my own.. unknown- no one to satisfy but myself. I began with charcoal and paper and decided not to use any color until it was impossible to do what I wanted to do in black and white. I believe it was June before I needed blue”
~Georgia O’Keeffe
I found this sketch in my studio when I was cleaning out some drawers. It reminded me of a time when I was using pen and ink. It’s been awhile since I’ve done figurative drawings . Now I want to get back to it. I’m inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and the disciplined approach that she had when doing her work. I know though that it will be long before June that I’ll need to use blue and the other paints on my palette!
by C.Kidder on December 29, 2012
“Winter Light”…oil painting …C.Kidder
“…And white winter on its knees observes everything with reverent attention.”
~Anna Akhmatova…poet
Painting winter landscapes is challenging. When bright sunshine casts shadows across freshly fallen snow it’s no longer white to the artist eye. Violet hues stretch across the blanket and pink crystals of light sparkle. The winter sky is intense making the ocean water a deep cobalt blue mixed with ultramarine.
Paying attention to the light is important in order to capture the beauty of the season. I think that even if you aren’t a painter this is true. Winter is a time to reflect and take a look at our inner landscapes . There’s some beautiful light there too!
~Happy New Year to all… “Let your light shine”~
by C.Kidder on October 29, 2012
I’m happy that I got out this past weekend to do some painting ! The sky was filled with dramatic clouds … the marsh grasses golden. Leaves on the distant horizon were jewel toned. But that was before the storm. I imagine most of the leaves have blown away by now.
When things calm down I’ll go back and maybe do another painting. One of the things I love about living in New England is that things change every day. I’m looking forward to the calm after the storm!
by C.Kidder on October 21, 2012
“When you paint, try to put down exactly what you see. Whatever else you have to offer will come out anyway.” ~ Winslow Homer
I finished this 16 x20 oil painting today. It’s been a memory in my mind for weeks! There was a day when as I was leaving the beach, I looked up and saw the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds . The shadows were being chased across the marsh grass and dunes … the sand was lit up white as snow.
I didn’t have my paints with me then but I knew that I needed to do a painting!
