Tuesday 4 January 2011

New Year Resolutions

Sketch more, draw more, paint more, work harder, look longer.
A new year always brings plans and projects.  I am, like Laura, not making any big promises to myself, I want to keep things fluid and to be able to jump ship, or catch the slow boat to China when necessary.  But, I have decided to give myself one small project.  As I pass this pontoon nearly every day while walking my faithful art hound Coco and as I am somewhat fond of seasonal records I have decided to use it as a constant spot to paint from during the coming year.
Here is the tiniest video to show you the panorama of this place. 
What I enjoy about a body of work from one spot is the changes written by the seasons, the weather and the times of the day.  I am also looking forward to learning more about the mediums that I work in, there is always such room for improvement.
Today, being the first day painting for a little while I warmed up with some scribbles,

and then got down to a bit more thoughtful painting.
A watercolour as it began to get light, with the big sky reflecting in the incoming tide and a little oil of some misty and still fishing boats.

I sail on this river, swim in its waters and walk its creeks and inlets. This is a place that I love and I hope that will come through in the paintings, it is also somewhere that I feel very privileged to be able to know so well and to enjoy in all its guises.  So with that, my small plan for 2011, I hope you all have a very successful and creative year ahead.

Of course I shall be painting other things as well...

8 comments:

Making A Mark said...

What a really great idea Sarah. I'll be looking forward to seeing these all year - I LOVE series.

Just one small commitment....

Have you seen Kevin McPherson's website / exhibition / book / videos from Reflections on a Pond ? ;D

Tina Mammoser said...

Looking lovely! I got the email about Katherine's comment on "my" NY resolutions post and thought 'but I haven't made any resolutions'. lol! So it reminded me to come check Watermarks again.

ps. May I borrow your gorgeous dog!? He looks very huggable.

Making A Mark said...

That was the comment Tina - I'm noticing this year that lots of people are NOT making specific resolutions. I think a lot of got a bit overwhelmed with "stuff" last year.

That's why I think one simple project can be a really good idea. I know I kept my one on the pond going for quite some time - and it spun off in all sorts of directions which I wasn't expecting - like drawing birds!

Jeanette Jobson said...

There are a lot of benefits in revisiting the same vantage point and seeing how it changes with seasons and weather and light.

I think you'll have the makings of a very nice series with this one. And I agree, the art hound is quite appealing.

Anonymous said...

lovely "scribbles, Sarah. I'm also looking forward to your poject.
ronell

Laura Frankstone said...

This is one of my all-time favorite Watermarks posts. It has everything---a good story, an intimate little video, photographs of an artist at work, paintings.... and lots of quiet resolve. Just wonderful, Sarah. I do envy your living so close to the water. It makes a huge difference to be able to paint a scene through a year of seasons.
Happy new year to you!

vivien said...

a great project and off to a good start - an art hound would be good company :>)

I too love series

MariaSsss said...

Great work! I love the documentation with the pictures :)

http://inthemudifoundthee.blogspot.com/