I have been working on painting in a looser , more impressionistic style. I've been studying the work of Eduard Cortes, and his magnificent Parisian city scenes. Painting this little vignette gave me a chance to continue to mimic his style.
I am still struggling with tremendous back pain as I paint, but I am hoping I will eventually be able to paint more comfortably, and larger as well.
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I had to take a long hiatus from painting, due to a back injury. It has been almost a year since I even felt a desire to paint again. But the desire has begun to stir again, thanks to healing and the necessity to keep my brain busy.
Standing for any length of time is still painful, so I did this painting over a period of 4-5 days, taking long breaks in between to rest.
I have not been inspired to paint much, not just because of back pain, but because of other changes in my life, including becoming a caretaker for my husband of 54 years.
But last week I finally made up my mind to try and recover somewhat of the skill I have lost over time, in not painting or even trying to keep up with the new works that so many talented painters are doing these days.
So I resorted to looking at the works of my favorite artists, past and present, to try to get inspired.
Once again, and not for the first time, the incredible impressionist paintings of Eduard Cortes caught my attention and took my breath away. His scenes of Paris are so masterful, and yet they almost look like they were painted en plein air- so fresh and spontaneous are they.
My painting above is a far cry from the master's work, but artists have always been advised that it is a good practice to copy or mimic the work of the old masters in order to learn from them.
I have not been back to Paris in many years, but I will never forget how much fun my husband and I had on our wild, crazy trip to Paris about 25 years ago.
Painting this scene from Montmartre was good for my soul, reminding me of the good times Ken and I have had over the years, and in the end, it is those memories that sustain us during the trials of life.
I am going to continue to try to start painting regularly again, in the hopes I can start regaining my former skills.
Thanks for the beautiful memories, Mr. Cortes, and for inspiring me to paint again by trying to learn from you. I wish I could have met you and taken lessons from you, and perhaps even painted with you in Paris. Your work has inspired many, the least of whom is me.
This painting came together in my mind before it made it to the canvas. I decided I wanted soft, happy colors, and thick, thick paint. The result is an exuberantly colored vineyard set within dreamy mountains.
I applied much of the paint with a palette knife, creating, luscious impasto. This painting is on cradled board that is 2 inches in depth. It can be hung on the wall with or without a frame.
To purchase this painting, please visit my website here.
I have been unable to paint for months now, due to a back injury. This was the first painting I have done in many months. My back will never be completely healed, but I will continue to try to paint for as long as I can.
I have had many cats in my lifetime; Lizzy Belle was a sweetie. I have been tempted to go to St. Francis cat rescue here in town and check out the rescues there, but I know I will never leave without a cat, and I know it's not a good time for me to take on a kitty.
Anyway, I was happy to get this little painting completed today. If you would like to bring Lizzy home, just click this link to my website.
"A Clear day at the Nubble", 12x12 , oil on Ampersand hardwood panel
I painted this way back in 2012 after a trip to the Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick in York, Maine.
It was a beautiful clear day and the air was fresh and clear.
Please send me an email at Maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you would like to inquire about this painting.
"Summer Pond", 16x9 inches, oil on Canson oil paper
This was the lovely scene that I used to see from my kitchen window when I lived in Pennsylvania. There was a serene pond, with lovely morning sunrises, a horse farm, and a variety of random animals and waterfowl including geese, ducks, red fox, and deer.
It was an inspirational place for me to write and read. I painted this study before doing a larger work of the same scene.
If you are interested in this pretty scene, please email me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for pricing.
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I painted this little girl many years ago. She won a couple awards, and her winsome look won my heart. I have never offered her for sale before. She has been hanging on my walls for at least a decade. I finally decided to let her go to a good home.
If you would like to purchase "Renaissance Child", you can do so through my website here.
I painted this on location many moons ago, with the Light Chasers, plein air group. We watched a demo first, by someone who's name I can no longer recall, and then we all wandered off to find that special place that inspired our senses. I found mine here, near water and a patch of red foliage.
It was a clear beautiful day, not yet the heat season that attracts bugs and sunburn and snakes.
I do miss painting outdoors, but restrictions from a back injury no longer allow me to do that. At least not yet.
I am have a huge sale of beautiful artwork on my website, that includes this painting. Please check it out here, and find a painting that speaks to your soul!
This is the first painting I have done in 5 months! At least I didn't forget how to paint! I had a bad vertebrae fracture back in October, that has prevented me from painting. This one wasn't easy. I still have tremendous back pain when I stand, so I had to sit-down every 10 minutes to rest.
At least I finally painted something. I like the softness of it. Maybe this will be a new style for me.
Thanks for checking out my blog. This little lady can be purchased through my website. If interested, here's the link.
