CONSERVATION SERIES
Whether to use or not use photographs in painting is a hotly debated issue. I could argue either side. Rather, I offer what works and what you can do to get the most of them.

1~ FRAMING THE VIEW Each time I put my eye to the viewfinder, I am essentially saying to the Muse, “How about this?” Very quickly then, one can frame up numerous paintings without lifting a brush. Yesterday I walked and photographed the landscape at The Williamsburg Winery. Though I have painted there many times, yesterday I saw the landscape there through new eyes.

2~ The routine structure of doing the same thing by rote, repeatedly is EXACTLY the kind of task which stimulates the flow. We quickly disengage from the routine task and connect to a deeper Source. I began in the vinyard and worked my way around the buildings, finally ending up on the far side of Wedmore Place and the pond.  I photographed the buildings and their juxtoposition with the landscape. It didn’t take long for me to feel as though I was walking through a (continue reading…)