For years and years I was all about representing what I saw out in nature as accurately as I could while still making a good painting. For a long time this satisfied me, to continually hone my skills at accurately expressing texture, finding a good composition. Then, a voice started to whisper to me. I felt as though I was abandoning some essential part of myself. Thus began a journey for me. I studied books, magazines, websites. I’d come across someone’s artwork and be fascinated by it. Why? What was attracting me? Color. Pattern. But, usually these women were expressing something internal that I could not relate to. Symbols and finger painting and random marks. Interesting, but… And then I came across a book about abstract expressionism. Wow! That’s it, I thought. My paintings can still be about something, but I can infuse them with color and design. I’ve done a few that I’m happy with, and this is the most recent one. We live in a world with so much imagery, I think we’re all in danger of ennui. Also, a straight-laced landscape can seem so last century to people these days. Yet, I believe the underlying message is still relevant~get out there and bathe in nature, soak up the good vibes the plants and animals are giving off. Maybe we’ll all experience a bit of peace if we can remember to do that. Of course here I’m preaching to the choir on that, but hopefully my new joyful paintings will reach someone who hasn’t yet experienced a trail into the woods, and will be inspired to explore.
I haven’t been posting much because I had a few readers who chose to make negative comments. If you are inclined to do so, please don’t. Just stop reading my posts.
Melissa Blue Fine Art 
There you are! This is a fun painting and a wood I would like to explore!
Yay, thank you Deborah! Yes, I guess I’m back. I’ve been going through treatment for cancer and haven’t been feeling well but things are looking up, and it is May!!
I hope the treatments cure you and you get through them soon! I know how tough it is. It’s not easy. I’ll keep you in my prayers.🥰
It HAS been tough, but hopefully the worst is over. Thank you for the prayers!! 🙂
Incidentally I enjoyed your post with the moon but I don’t think wp let me post my comment.
No worries! I’m just glad to see you here and glad you’re getting better! 😃
Hi Melissa, glad to see you posting and especially this lovely, joyful painting. I would also like to dive in and explore this path into the woods
Fantastic, Robert! That was just the response I hoped for, that it would tempt one to find a trail. :). Thank you for welcoming me back and for your kind response to my painting.
We’re glad to see you back. The call to greater abstraction is something many of us have heard, and some of us have heeded. (I have, but more in closeups than in broad landscapes.) The green rectangular patches in the upper right of your painting do seem a new departure for you. Can you tell us how you see those? The red-orange area in the lower right certainly draws our eyes to it.
I agree. I’ve since toned that red down by painting pale blue circles on it and it drops right down and quits shouting. So for this painting, I started with a strong structure and then I realized there was no reason why each quadrant of the composition couldn’t have patterns rather than representational blocks of color. That pattern came from the fabric on a chair I saw. Once I’d painted it, I realized it looks a lot like something Klimt would have done. Tch. I admire him, but was certainly not trying to copy him. I cannot claim to see them. I only saw the structure, and then played with it.
Now that you mention it, I do see the likeness to Klimt. As for the red area, I didn’t see it as something negative; from what you say, you’ve now gone with a more even-toned look for the painting. I like your word “patternscape.”
Thank you, Steve. I went back and forth about the red. I liked it, but it did seem to jump more than I wanted it to.
The bits of blue floating among the branches brought windchimes to mind; I think I can hear them singing!
What a wonderful thought! You’ve added a dimension to the painting for me~ I love wind chimes.
You raise lots of interesting questions about the function of paintings and creativity – afterall we have had cameras for sometime so I don’t think an artist’s job is “just” to recreate nature but rather to interpet it. I am still grabbling with simplifying forms and being truthful to colour to try and make the viewer fell something if the experience of being there. But like you I am fascinated by artists how play with some abstraction. Yes, Steve’s reference to Klimt is an excellent one.
I am sorry, I didn’t realise that you have been very ill and feeling very tired. I just read this in your comments. I hope your recovery continues. Look after yourself. We missed you in the blog-o-sphere!
That is so kind of you, Emma. Thank you! Next step is radiation, and the doctor told me to rest and take it easy. It feels odd to just sit, but truly, I am really tired.
I bet you are. I was continually exhausted after breaking my leg in 2020 so I imagine you must be much, much more so. Healing takes a lot of energy. Sleep is a wonderful thing.
Funny you should say that. My puppy let me sleep this morning, and we only emerged sleepily at 8:30 this morning! That is what sleep feels like~ it IS a wonderful thing.
That’s great to hear – may your puppy let you sleep in many more mornings!
It’s tough, isn’t it? I think you have solved it, with your work. Your compositions are so clear and crisp, Andy hour landscapes clearly pass through the lens of your interpretation. I can’t seem to settle into one style.
I am glad you think so, Melissa. I have recently gone through several months long struggle trying to get the hang of acrylics and recently found it difficult to find regular inspiration in a new place. I think I need the impeteus of a project. I have recent started on three paintings I intend entering for an Open Art Competition. It’s been a relief to paint for an event rather than having the thought “will someone like this enough to buy it?” at the back of my mind hounding me with doubt. Ah, the “posh problems” of an artist!
Indeed! I have an embarrassing stash of paintings in the basement. I don’t sell nearly as much as you do and really need to up my game regarding promoting them. Painting for a project is a really good idea. Best of luck!
Reblogged this on Art, Music, Photography, Poetry and Quotations.
Such an exciting painting Melissa. Thanks for sharing. Happy Painting My Friend.
I’m thrilled that you think so, Goff!! Thank you.
As soon as I saw this painting, I felt drawn to it.