Friday, June 17, 2016

Colorado Artist Laura Reilly - Outdoor Painting Season 2016

I am enjoying this summer's open air painting immensely
 - painting en plein air, setting the landscape free. 

We hear so much about artists trying to "capture" a scene or landscape
 -  paintings in bondage, what a concept.
I dont' want to capture the landscape, I want to liberate it!

Here are some of this year's plein air paintings.  
I'm looking forward to painting a lot more during outdoor painting season,
and using some of these as studies for larger pieces in the studio.


"Eloquent" - original acrylic painting, 6" x 12", Purchase info

Painted at Lake San Isabel, Colorado.  While I painted, the biggest
bumblebee I've ever seen - 2" long -
 buzzed around in a patch of yellow wildflowers next to me.


"Fireweed" - original acrylic painting, 4" x 12", Purchase info

Painted at Rock Ledge Ranch. It's been mentioned that it's a little early for fireweed, 
and could these in fact be phlox?
Too funny, but probably true, lol!  Lesson learned,  can't always identify from google pics!



"Shadowplay" - original acrylic painting, 10" x 8", Purchase info

Painted in my garden here at home. 
A recurring theme for me, sunlight and deep shadows.
Irises have been spectacular this year!



"Victorian Lilacs" - original acrylic painting, 8" x 8". Sold

 I painted this at Acacia Park, here in Colorado Springs, while the lilacs were at their peak. 
While I painted, the warming sun  brought out the scent of the lilacs.





"White Crabapple in Bloom" original acryic painting, 8" x 8". Purchase info

The first plein air painting of the season, this was painted across the street from
BonTon's Cafe, right here in Colorado Springs.

There's nothing like painting out in the open - there's a feeling of life that infuses the paintings, and the painter too!  and - painting outdoors makes me a better studio painter.

If you want to see these as they are painted, 

I'm looking forward to sharing more of these gems with you this summer!



Contact Laura - or leave you comments below!  


Monday, May 16, 2016

Colorado Artist Laura Reilly Painting Classes - I Love to Teach!


I've been so enjoying this year's open air painting - painting en plein air.

We often hear about artists trying to "capture" a landscape or scene 
- I prefer to set the landscape free!

Here are some of this season's open air paintings - 

"White Crabapple in Bloom" - acrylic painting, 8" x 8".
This is the first of this season's open air paintings - I sat across the street
from BonTon's Cafe here in Colorado Springs to paint this one.


"Eloquent" - acrylic painting, 6" x 12", painted at Lake San Isabel, Colorado.



Fireweed by Laura Reilly Acrylic ~ 4 x 12
"Fireweed" - original acrylic painting, 4" x 12", painted at
Rock Ledge Ranch, here in Colorado Springs.  I've had it said this might 
not be fireweed, but phlox instead - either way, I love the magenta flowers in 
the sunlight and shadows.  


"Shadowplay" - acrylic painting, 10" x 8".  
A recurring theme, sunlight and deep shade.
I painted this one here in my garden 
- it's a spectacular year for the iris!  


"Victorian Lilacs" - acrylic painting, 8" x 8".  Painting in Acacia Park
while the lilacs were at their peak - the warming sun spread the
scent of the lilacs through the air.


Painting in the open air has it's challenges,  no doubt about it - but there is no substitute for
the infusion of life that seems to find it's way into these paintings, and into the artist too!

The experience of painting outside is just plain good for the soul,
 and the paintings are too.  

  Some of these might be the inspiration for larger studio paintings 
- and painting en plein air makes me a better studio painter. 




or post your comment below!



Saturday, May 14, 2016

Colorado Artist Laura Reilly Plein Air Lilac Painting "Victorian Lilacs"

"Victorian Lilacs"



This is a plein air painting, created on location in Acacia Park, here in Colorado Springs.  The lilacs this year are maddeningly beautiful, with their lush perfume scenting the warm spring air.  They are maddening because they are all blooming at once, and I just can't paint them all!  

I love the Victorian style lamppost peeking out behind the lilacs, and the delicate colors of the blossoms in the sunlight and shade.

A traditional impressionist technique best described the delicate blossoms and the pearly spring sky.




Original acrylic on canvas, 8" x 8" with a delicate gold frame to complete the painting.






Thursday, May 12, 2016

Colorado Artist Laura Reilly Poppy Painting "Reaching For the Sky"

"Reaching for the Sky"



I have started a new series of daily paintings, and this is one of the first!  I am working in small series, 3 of each subject, and this is one of the three of my most recent series of small gems, all about poppies.

Not just about the color and the beautiful red blossoms, this painting is about reaching for our hopes, our dreams, our aspirations.  Joy!







Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Western Landscape Painting, "the Motion of Light" by Colorado Impressionist Laura Reilly




original acrylic on canvas, 24" x 48" x 1.5"
$1600


Late afternoon light gleams down canyon, on autumn aspens, willows, and Chalk Creek, as it flows down out of the Collegiate Peaks. Rich color and brushstrokes express the life and energy of the river, the sound of the wind and the rush of the flowing water. 


Original acrylic on canvas, the painting continues around the sides for a beautiful finish, ready to hang without framing






Click Here! for 





Saturday, January 30, 2016

Contemporary Colorado Cityscape Painting "Downtown, Where Everyone Meets", by Colorado Artist Laura Reilly

"Downtown, Where Everyone Meets"

Original acrylic painting, 24 x 36, framed.

"City Sites, Urban Delights" Laura Reilly Show and Sale
 at Soiree Events and Celebrations


One of my new cityscape paintings - this is downtown Colorado Springs, looking south on Tejon St., to the corner of Colorado Avenue and Tejon.  It seems like you always run in to someone you know downtown - or we're heading there to meet someone for lunch or breakfast.

I love all the little details in these city scenes - there's so much to discover in them.  Do you see the "walk now" figure, and the french flag, the cafe tables, and the right turn arrow?  There's a lot more to find to - including my favorite thing,  juicy bold brushstrokes.

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Sunday, January 24, 2016

An Early Laura Reilly Painting

Still Life With Pitcher

Look what I found on line! - a very early Laura Reilly oil painting, probably from the early 90's, 
when I first began to paint in oil.



I really like it,  it's so good to see it again, 
and to be reminded of my art from that time.

I found it at OdunnFineArt.com.






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