Monday, September 14, 2009

"Pond Gazing" (Caldwell Lily Pond, Chicago)


Caldwell Lily Pond is another favorite retreats of mine, not just for painting but for day dreaming too. The textures in this smaller city lily garden always change and the sounds of the city itself is greatly muffled by the thick grasses, shrubs and trees. So this morning I headed here to paint and also, to embarrass myself. I'd been painting about an hour totally focused on my work and enjoying the secluded little nuck I had planted my easel when I heard a group of people approaching, loudly. It was so out of place because people always are so quiet when wandering through these paths. Of course they parked themselves as close to me as possible all the while talking excitedly. Before I knew or even thought about it I "shhhhed" them all in this awful snake-like sound. I was immediately ashamed and apologetic but one can't take back a shhhh. It's just out there. Fortunately after a quiet moment they started to laugh and apologise back and so, all ended well. But I'm still really embarrassed that I did that. They were just so happy and excited to be there together in this beautiful place.
As for the painting, the lily pads are almost all gone. Some remain in almost a skeleton form floating on the surface. But I felt the colors were more varied than in the summer when the lily pads are dark greens and cover the water almost totally. This one is larger, 8"x10." Also painted on oil primed linen mounted on board and created with a palette knife.
Anyone else willing to share an embarrassing plein air moment???

6 comments:

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

lol Susan, I wish MORE people would do what you did when folks are being overly loud. Your painting conveys a beautiful, serene spot.

susan hong-sammons said...

It is a great spot to get away with just your thoughts. But I do need to discover a better way of communicating and remember, "no man is an island,..."

Pam Holnback said...

Beautiful rendering. Love the soft colors.

Double "D" said...

Monet would be proud.

Beautiful painting Susan.
Doug

Anita Stoll said...

Very nice, etherial I would say. I am also a painter of lily ponds. I love to paint them but in my studio. I'm an indoor painter. Hope that doesn't produce an "Ouch" response from you.

susan hong-sammons said...

Hello Pam, Thanks so much. I'm glad you like and respond to the subtle temperature shifts.

Hey DD, wouldn't it be great to have one of those arty conversations with Monet?!

Hi Anita, No "ouch" response from me. You're work is beautiful! Thanks for checking out my blog and I hope you'll continue to do so. I post both studio and plein air studies.

Happy Painting everyone