A Self Study- Details

A practice session using myself as the subject. Always a little dissatisfied with self portraits, I’m okay with this side. There’s something good happening here- 

 

On a Back Road in West Gloucester

 Another spectacular November Saturday allowed for Alex and me to ride out to Conomo Point. We raced past this view and had to circle back to capture it, which meant we had to do the hill twice. We went beast mode the second time and stayed in a hard gear. I worked this image from a cell phone- then from intuition. High tide produces the best shapes in the marshes. 

Quest for Calm

 This emerged from the study in gouache- I realize I’m in constant search of calm. I felt playful and experimental creating this. There was no struggle- listened to Folklore by Taylor Swift.  A poetic gritty album. 

Sketches In Gouache Tonight

Experimenting with a new material- Tadhg was out of the house so I worked in my dining room. I used the gouache much like oil- I did get frustrated with the quick dry time. But I can see the benefits to that as well.Both images are from walks/ bike rides during this warm blast in November 

Cheerful colors emerged tonight

 Tonight’s still life was prompted by an artist date to Sage Floral Studio- In other news Joe Biden was elected president. It was 70 degrees today in November. The cheerful, warm colors emerged.

A Red Boat- Rockport

 This is a small 8 x 8 from tonight- And I worked on the pair of boats from Conomo as well. 

Two On the Dock- Conomo

 Worked on a small 11 x 14 today- In progress 

Field Trip- Coffins

 I took a field trip to coffins beach today because I needed to create- outside the studio. My Rockport painting was waiting for its final session- 

I realized I have a lot of anxiety painting and creating on site- there was wind. There were flies. They were biting. There were PEOPLE! 

Here’s my loose study in gouache from the rocks by The Essex river. It was high tide. 70 degrees. Beautiful. My favorite kind of day.

Rockport 30 x 40

 Finishing up this one is deserving of its own post. I went through a lot of self doubt with this piece. I think I spent 4 session on it- maybe a total of 20 hours. I think I achieved what I set out to achieve which was a more graphic feeling- and a playful rich primary color story. 

Time to celebrate. 

On the Dock- Rockport

 Taking this one slow-30 x 40 oil on canvas- I  have already spent 2 or 3 sessions on this piece and might have 1 or 2 more. I love the bold primaries but I have second thoughts about the composition. 

On the Dock- Trio from Annisquam foot bridge

 Gave this one a few more hours. Wrestled with it some. I am mostly pleased with the outcome. 

On the Dock- Under the Foot Bridge, Annisquam

 I struggled with this one a lot. Wiped it out 3 times- I didn’t love the surface. I was having problems with the drawing. At one point I just said “this is going no where so I might as well just have fun with it.”

In the end, I think I saved it. I intend to give it more time. 

Every Beach Day After This is a Gift

 Tonight was my second session with this one. I’m much happier with it now, but wonder if if has that zing. I wonder if I will remember my children laughing and swimming and splashing when I look at these Dock paintings later in life. They are usually doing that as I’m collecting reference photos. 

Drawing with Energy

I’m working on energizing my drawings today- this is one of Tadhg from our honeymoon in Nantucket. Day dreamy. 

This blog is where I journal my creative process- for a better look at my portfolio please visit http://www.paulammorgan.com/ 

 

Overcast Morning

 8/23 A new piece I started last night. I’m enjoying a softer pallet lately- Most of my reference photos are taken from bike rides. This one is also from Conomo Point in Essex. This boat steals my attention every time. 

This blog is where I journal my progress, for a closer look at my portfolio you can check out my website http://www.paulammorgan.com/

My New Website

 Please check out my brand new website through FASA 

http://www.paulammorgan.com/

Thank you for visiting. Please take a moment to browse my website and sign up for my newsletter where I can update you on events and projects. The following is a photo of my newest landscape in a gorgeous interior. Image created using @artroom app

Once Upon a Time in West Gloucester

 I snuck in an early evening bike ride in late July. I rode  out to Conomo Point and headed back to Gloucester on Concord. It is about a 7 mile round trip which isn’t much, but it is better than nothing. The view opens up at a dip in the road before a hill. Initially I pedaled past it. The colors struck me and I had to turn back to document them. I stood on a guard rail to get a better view- Here’s the view. It’s very dream like (hence the title). I don’t think the title is going to stick. 

Alexandra in a shell necklace

A night in the studio with Alexandra is always a gift. This one started out not so great- I think I was able to save it.  

Float

A large “On the Dock” composition. From Annisquam River.  Docks are relaxing, they are romantic, and they are fun!  Kept working this one. Have to keep working this one. Happy with new brushes. #progress

Comparison slide

Swim

Another underwater scene- Alexandra from Conomo Point. Not sure if this attempt is as successful as my first one-

Discover

A commission piece for a dear friend. I can’t think of two boys who love the water more than Thatcher and Finn. A nice way to capture their curiosity, adventure, and love for the water which has been nurtured from day one by their mother and father. Original photo credit goes to Nichole. Here are my process photos: (out of order)

Flow

I’ve been studying/ following an artist on Instagram who creates underwater paintings. They’ve fascinated me for a long time. This artist is completely invested in these underwater paintings and hers are incredible as well as complex. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it out. I had a good day at Conomo point where I could get a couple of reference photos. This one is of Ian. It’s my favorite portrait/ painting of him because water is his life blood, and he is happiest when he is in motion. I think I’ll call it “Flow”. Not sure if it’s my new thing but it was fun and I  might have to try another one.

Coexist- reworked

Deepened the darks, brightened the lights, spent some time on the water- adjusted hues inside the boats, cleaned up the paddles. I will have to live with it now to decide if it’s done.

Coexist

“Coexist” 20 x 30 oil on gallery wrapped canvas.  Large horizontal composition

This one has been on my mind for a WHILE. I’ve been dying to sneak in the studio to block out shapes and rough in colors. It still needs fine tuning but I’m pleased with the progress. Conomo Point is magical.

Also worked on the large vertical composition “Stepping Out”

Also 20 x 30 oil on gallery wrapped canvas- not sure if it is complete. I will have to live with it for a while to feel it out.

Stepping Out

Large Boat Composition - vertical

First Gouache portrait- “pretty eyes-pirate smile” I used gouache on toned paper- I worked from a photograph. I want to get better at these.