Happy Fall, Y'all

Yellow Medley, 12x12, oil

The Fan, Richmond, VA

A little bit of all my favorite things.

1. House portrait

2. Tree portrait

2. Long Shadows

3. Light through the trees

4. Yellow galore

(Indian Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Cad Yellow Medium, Lemon Yellow. I used 'em all.)

4. Fall foliage

Happy fall! 

Follow me on instagram (@amyhrdonahue) to see almost daily autumn paintings.

Golden Hour, 12x16, oil

"Golden Hour"

 12x16, oil

This painting was based on photos I took on the banks of the James River, Richmond, VA, after our first big snow in February. The evening light through the trees and the twilight shadows on the fresh snow... it was just remarkable. Nothing I can paint could do justice to the beauty of that moment. Oh, but I try. And it's all I can do to try, and point your eyes back to the creation and Creator who makes such beauty all around us.

Sunset

Some things (most things) are too beautiful, too momentary to record with paint... or camera.
And I am satisfied to witness the event.

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"Waterways" Exhibition Opening Tomorrow - Dec. 12 @ 5-8pm

 I hope you'll join us at For Art's Sake Gallery tomorrow for the opening reception of "Waterways".

The exhibit will include vibrant and expressive representational landscapes of the James River through the seasons, as well as various vistas around Virginia and the surrounding states. 

The exhibit runs December 1, 2014 – February 2, 2015. For Art’s Sake Gallery is located at 9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238. For more information call (804) 740-1400 or visit www.forartssakegallery.com. 

Artist Statement: "Everywhere I travel scenes beg to be painted. Light and vivid color captivates me. Of course God creates the most vibrant and dynamic colors and patterns-even so, I enjoy paying homage to His designs by rendering 2D versions of what I see. I love to paint the details of what I see: the contrasts in the lights and darks and the vibrancy of the world. The heavens truly tell the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) much more effectually than my paint. They are a marvelous mystery, but still I am constantly compelled to capture them on canvas." 

Amy studied at VCU's School of the Arts, receiving her BA in Communication Arts. Now she lives in Midlothian with her husband, Mark, and dog, Theo. She paints full-time both on location and in her home studio. While subject matter can vary, she is drawn to paint the light as it interacts with the land. Her artwork often includes a hint of man-made structures settled among the natural world - a house, a figure, a pathway. Amy's paintings attempt to depict both man and land as equally subject to the effects of the sun's light and earth's atmosphere.

James River Rocks

18x24, oil

Rushing Waters

11x14, oil

Sun Drenched

6x8, oil

"Winter Hues" 16x20, oil

Winter Hues

16x20, oil

sold

I created a smaller painting of this scene earlier in the year with the thought to do a larger work. The smaller painting was titled "Old Friend" because it was a recreation of the view you see as you drive across the Powhite Parkway Bridge over the James River.

This was one of the first to sell in my "Waterways" show.

“Waterways”
December 1, 2014 – February 2, 2015 For Art’s Sake Gallery
9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238
Opening reception: December 12, 5:00-8:00 pm

The Making Of: "Echoes of Mercy" 24x48, oil, Painting of the Nickel Bridge on the James River

While working on paintings for my show, I knew I wanted a few bigger ones, along with a good selection of small pieces.

See all 46 paintings in person:

  "Waterways"

Exhibit dates: Dec. 1, 2014 - Feb. 2, 2015

For Art's Sake Gallery 

9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238

 

I started with this study:

 

"High Point" 

10x20, oil on canvas

 View of the Nickel Bridge over the James River from Riverside Drive

Richmond, Virginia

I really enjoyed the process of painting the small one, especially the sky and the foreground trees. Getting the bridge at the right angle and in a straight line was tricky. As the last bits of the smaller painting were coming together I got an itch to turn it into a larger painting.

Enter the 4 foot canvas:

 

Above is the under-painting in alizarin and burnt umber.

I need to invest in a "big girl" easel, instead of spending so much time playing with wing nuts and levels on these tripod easels.

 

First step: the sky

 

Next: middle-ground

Not pictured: The step when I added the foreground trees and the 3-4 times I repainted them and the middle ground/river/Nickel Bridge.

"Echoes of Mercy"

24x48, oil on canvas

  View of Richmond's Nickel Bridge over the James River from Riverside Drive.

Richmond, Virginia

It was a challenge to get this painting properly exposed in a photograph. I might tweak the levels a bit more and repost later... Really, you gotta go see it in person. ;) It will be available at For Art's Sake Gallery during December 2014-January 2015.

Detail image:

Detail image:

Sun Spangled River, 18x48, oil

Another one for my upcoming show "Waterways"

Exhibit dates: Dec. 1, 2014 - Feb. 2, 2015

For Art's Sake Gallery 

9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238

Sun Spangled River

Pony Pasture, Richmond, VA

18x24 each, oil on canvas

The two above are the "big brother" of a diptych I posted a week or so ago.

 

6x10 each, oil on panel

sold

How to title a painting and Paintings of Bellevue, Richmond, VA

If you were to paint a scene on Chevy Chase Street, what would YOU title it?

I decided to look up titles of films starring Mr. Chase as I was brainstorming for a title. Sure beats something like, "Yellow House" or "Tree Lined Road". I tend toward Capt. Obvious when it comes to titling my work.

"Seems Like Old Times"

9x12, oil

Available at Stir Crazy Cafe November 2014

4015 MacArthur Ave, Richmond, VA 23227

I haven't actually seen this film. But I wasn't about to name the painting "Christmas Vacation" or "Three Amigos".

Have you seen "Seems Like Old Times"? Worth a watch?

"Cindy's Garden"

20x10, oil
Available at Stir Crazy Cafe November 2014
4015 MacArthur Ave, Richmond, VA 23227

Leaning toward Capt Obvi in this title. Hey, it sure beats "Blue House" or "Red Chair and Wheel Barrow". Cindy was the lovely lady who welcomed us (artists from the VPAP group) into her backyard. I actually painted a different painting while on location that morning. It was June and it was hot and muggy. The painting didn't turn out so great. Win some lose some. Right after I finished I wanted to paint this direct shot of the back of Cindy's house. Unfortunately the sun had risen and there was no shaded spot to set up and paint this angle. Took a few photos and composed this painting in my air conditioned studio.

Pony Pasture Diptych from Summer

I wanted to paint a diptych on two panels. A few strategically placed stapes and success!

Now comes the decision to frame each panel separately or together in one frame.

Sun Swept - 12x24, oil

"Sun Swept"

Summer - James River at Pony Pasture

12x24, oil

I mentioned I would be painting the James in every season. Stay tuned for more from spring, summer, fall and winter!

Huguenot Flatwater - From small to large

 

Huguenot Flatwater

6x8, oil

I created this little painting one morning this summer. It seemed to capture the feel of summer on the James. Back in the studio it grew up into a larger piece - 18x24 inches. Worked on the "hazy day" feel as well as creating more of the illusion of distance just as the river bends.

Was hoping to include this piece in my upcoming show at For Art's Sake Gallery in December-January, but the gallery owner found a home for it right after I finished it.

More paintings of featuring the James River in all the different seasons of the year to come!

 

Huguenot Flatwater

18x24, oil

sold

"Evening Consolations" 8x8, oil

When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94:19

 

Evening Consolations

8x8, oil on canvas

27 (30 in 30 Challenge) Of Bellevue

Trees of Bellevue

6x8, oil

28 (30 in 30 Challenge) Fast and Fresh of Richmond Plein Air

30-some artists scattered down Cary Street in Richmond.

Two hours to paint a scene, have it framed and display ready to sell.

and some other photos from the event, by Rich Young:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29847057@N03/sets/72157645005690068/

Byrd Theater
8x10, oil

25 & 26 (30 in 30 Challenge) - Two studies from the interesection of Cary and Sheppard Street, RVA

Study of the Byrd, Afternoon light

5x7, oil

 "Don't Walk"
6x8, oil

Day Five and Six (30 in 30)

 

Might call this one "Under the Bridge"

6x8, oil

 

Possibly "Shady Spot" or "Low Hanging Limbs"

7x9, oil 

 

"Rising" 8x8

"Rising"

8x8, oil

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised... His glory is above the heavens.

Psalm 113:3-4

Old Friend

Old Friend

6x8, oil

A simple one for a change.

"A Delicate Melody" 9x12, Maymont Park, Richmond

"A Delicate Melody"

9x12, oil

Maymont Park, Richmond, VA

15 Paintings in 15 Days (Round 2) - Day Twelve

Winter Willow

6x8, oil
Japanese garden at Maymont Park.

Below is what happens when I don't plan out the composition of a painting in my sketchbook before beginning -- shapes painted and then completely changed. As you can see the willow tree grew and the background trees shrunk quite a bit.

 (click to enlarge)

 Lesson learned. Next time I'll sketch it out beforehand and save a little time.