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!