The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

Is it more "legitimate" to paint "en plein aire" (on site) or in a live studio setting rather than from a photo reference?           I know I am not the first to grapple with this question. I paint every day in my studio. I also paint on site, especially when traveling. I am not one to suffer the elements. I hate cold weather. I prefer the comfort of the studio, but I do think there is an advantage to being on site.    Recently, I have been experimenting with a compromise of sorts. I live in Virginia with gorgeous open fields and [...]

Knowing when to stop is all important.    In the last year, I have worked on a painting or two past the point when it was actually at its best. In fact, I tried to undo work on one of them. It turned out well, but not as good as it would have been, had I stopped in time. Since then, I have been conscious of the need to not overwork a painting.   Spello, 2022 was a challenge in a couple of ways. The color is very subdued and many of the edges are purposely lost. Usually, my work is colorful with lots of [...]

"Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave."   Mary Tyler Moore     Recently, I found myself at a painting impasse. I was standing in front of a painting in progress, unsure which to reach for, a brush or a palette knife?  The problem was a conflict of style: What am I trying to achieve?   I started painting many years ago as a watercolorist. Upon the suggestion of a collector, I began working with oil. I loved the texture and vibrancy of the paint. For the next decade, I vacillated between the [...]