Light My Fire by Southern California Painter Marian Fortunati

Light My Fire
© Marian Fortunati
11"x14" Oil on canvas panel

This is my sixth week of taking David Gallup's Advanced Painting Class.   It's billed as "advanced" because half the time the class paints outside en plein air (considered more difficult) and the rest of the time we're in the studio.  David "calls it" the day before the class depending upon what the weather forecast is.  I absolutely LOVE painting outdoors.  I also have to say that even when we have been scheduled to paint at his studio, I have really enjoyed myself not only because I am loving learning from David and seeing all the great photos and books he uses as examples to illustrate points, but because I had a project to work on...  making one of my small studies into a larger painting.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed last night when I got the email saying we would be in the studio today.  I didn't have something in mind to paint and we wouldn't be outside.  He told us that we could work on something we brought or do a still life.  In the past, he had set up a small floral still life.  They are pretty but still lifes have never been my favorite thing to do.  I sighed to myself and told myself that it would be good for me.

However, when I got to class and saw the still life set up, my heart sank.  Good Lord...!  Not only was it NOT pretty to look at, but it looked darn hard to draw.  (I'm beginning to learn that he diabolically decides what we need to work on and sets challenges for us to see if we can do it.)   DRAT...  He was going to discover that I can't draw!  OMG... (Maybe he already knew... and THAT'S why he chose this set up.)

Well, I gave myself the little illustrated talk with slides (inside my head) and decided I would give it a go.  SURPRISE!!!  It was actually fun!   And miracle of miracles, it didn't turn out half-bad.... for a bunch of kindling.

David talked and demoed a bit about edges.. when they should be softened (when things are going away from you) and one way to make it happen.  I know there will be more on that.  He painted alongside us (and I watched over his shoulder).  Along with all of the rest of it, I noticed that his background was really a lovely combo of colors which together made a neutral just like the cloth behind the firewood.  He said it was all about color theory which is sort of his specialty.  I'm hoping to learn more because his really did look wonderful ... not just neutral blah like mine but a lovely neutral.

The upcoming week is promising to be wet.  It will be good for our Southern California plants and help ease our drought.  But I guess it also means that I won't be going up to Santa Barbara to paint and see my daughter after all.  Oh well...   We'll all make the best of whatever we get, won't we?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY......    HAVE A GREAT WEEK!