The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

I am always happy at the arrival of February. It is my birthday month and the last full month of winter. March is the month of transition. We begin in winter and finish in Spring. Here in rural Virginia, it is cold at night but the daytime temps vary.  The sun is always welcome, though, it is not always warming. One afternoon, a week or so ago, I was struck by the dramatic sun and shadows on the old wicker 

settee on the porch. It is the place where I take my morning coffee when the air is warm. On this day, the light was bright but the air was brisk. What a tease!

I sketched it out on a block of hot pressed paper. I really like the way the colors glow on this paper. It is so smooth. It allows much control of the paint.  I started working on the shadows, being careful to preserve the white of the paper for the bright light. I added the barren trees behind the railing and darkened the shadows. You just keep going til it comes into focus and hope you don't go too far! I am still learning where to stop. 

I started my painting career with watercolor. Eventually, I tried my hand at oil. I became enamored with the texture and versatility of the medium and did less work with watercolor. When I observe the work of accomplished watercolorists, I am reminded of how much I have to learn. Truly, practice and study make THE difference.....My cousin, Terry, told me last year that she preferred my earlier watercolors (over my present day oils). That got my attention. I decided to return to the medium in earnest. I will continue to paint with oil but am committed to growing in my practice of this wonderful medium. 

That being said, the painting turned out well. It evokes a feeling. The collector friend who purchased it, remarked, " you captured one of my happy places". My feeling when witnessing the scene originally was,"I can't wait for Spring!", hence, the title. As an artist, I can't ask for anything more than to stimulate an emotional response in the viewer. 

To purchase a 9 x 12 print of this painting, click here: https://www.barbaratrovillo.com/collections/158319

Spring is on it's way! Stay well, Barbara