I had time on my hands to sit in the midst of plants to do this "alla prima" sketch of a plant that has very strongly sweet smelling flowers.
I have extended the term "alla prima" to include first hand sketching of a subject.
​Much light!

On our recent trip to India, my son had a chance to go an Indian village and visit some artisans and farmers. ​One of them was kind enough to gift him a clump of fresh peanuts.
​This week I present to you an ink sketch of this clump. The foliage of this humble and yet versatile plant looked pretty unimpressive. But its uses are many: right from nitrogen fixation in the soil, through being the "soul food" in several culinary cultures (in India alone we have the "Chikki", "Sundal", "Chutney", "Mirchi ka Salan", ingredient in "Mixtures" to name a few) to Ground nut oil and Peanut Butter. It is also used in making soaps and in paints.
​Who would have thought that?
​To me, during the cold dark winters in Germany, I do have something to look forward to: a ground nut snack while watching TV. This way the winters become warm and cosy!
​Much light!

I am back with renewed vigour.
​This week's sketch was started on my flight to Chennai, India. I completed it in the midst of trees and plants. The thistle and the leg and hand holding up a sign are from in flight magazines. Just recording my flight and arrival in India.
​Have a great week! Much light!

In my last blog post I addressed the theme of design and happenstance.
The work I present today (Acrylic on paper 10 x 15 cm), is again something that happens within seconds.
​The "design" in the making is the colours of the palette, and the tools used.
​Then the painting "happens" naturally, intuitively and very quickly. Of course, as an artist one is "informed" about the composition. This realisation has brought me full circle on the upward and ever increasing circle. My early paintings (I was self taught and used my colours instinctively) that look similar were "constructed" painstakingly.
I now have tools to shift to bigger canvases with my colour fields.
I break off now for Easter and will be back with new posts in about two weeks.
​Much light!

Today I present to you a small work on paper (10 x 15 cm).
Although it may seem to be a deviation from the topic that I am most occupied with these last weeks, it is in fact a continuation of my efforts to find a way to integrate organic structures in my colour fields.
​My title today comes from a remark by Greg Rose, who has a very elaborate way of painting trees. In stark contrast to his process, mine has to "happen" in a fraction of time: intuitively, naturally. Yet there is design in this extremely intuitive way of putting down colours.
​I like the texture that has evolved. There are even lines in there by design.
​Developing the right tools to do this large scale!
Much light!