Thursday, October 27, 2016

Color Studies

I was so happy to be on a roll again with blogging and then Hurrican Matthew happened. Days of watching where it was going and how strong it was getting. Days of wondering if we were going to have to evacuate or if we could stay.
Days of making our house storm ready, preparing for long stretches without power and possible evacuation. Making hotel reservations inland, thinking about everything we needed for us, four cats and Winslow for a few days, and making sure we had all important papers with us. The rest of our "stuff" suddenly didn't seem all that important anymore. We did what we could to make sure it would be safe.
First there the probability we'd have to evacuate, then a polite urging from city officials, (which is when we left) and finally mandatory evacuation. We were safe in a hotel room with all of our critters. They all got along great. Everyone was calm and content. Even when we lost power at our hotel (this was a large storm), we were all still quite happy. And also a little nervous about what we might come home to.
We listened to the local news on our weather radio and it sounded like the storm had been very strong with a lot of destruction. When the evacuation order was lifted, we came home to our house and property perfectly intact. No damage! We were so grateful! It's sad to see how many hundreds of old trees fell in this storm. And it's beautiful to see how everyone came together to help each other out.
We finally got power back and then (much later) our internet and for us life is back to normal, which is certainly not the case for so many others. Again, I'm so grateful!

One thing I did notice though - my art has changed. I started painting in watercolor with a very limited palette (three colors only) and I love it! It's a new challenge and a completely different process for me.

And that's the thing I love about life: nothing ever stays the same!

Linking to the ever fabulous and inspiring Paint Party Friday.


Silke

25 comments:

  1. I really love this art, and it is only in three colors, how interesting. I can't wait to see where your artistic mind will take you next. Glad that your home (and YOU) are all okay! xx

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  2. Fantastic, powerful work. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  3. So very glad to hear you are safe and sound. What a blessing that your home was not affected by the storm.
    And your new portraits are sensational! xo

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  4. Ein Traum. Vor allem das zuletzt gezeigte Bild. Ich sehe eine junge Frau, mit einem Blumenkranz, an der Seite hängt noch ein Band herunter. :)

    Auch deine tollen Tierbilder gefallen mir farblich sehr gut.

    Herzliche Grüße von Biggi

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  5. I've been away from my blog for quite awhile, so I've missed a lot of what's going on. Seeing your wonderful portraits in a new style of painting for you in watercolour , made me want to get my paintbox out. However it's not possible, I'm packing to move as we have a buyer for our house and we will out by the end of the month. The picture you sent me when I was picked as your winner for a post give away has been packed along with my own paintings to be hung in our mew home when we find somewhere permanently. I'll be back soon to see more of your lovely watercolour paintings, I really love this style, keep on producing those wonderful truly expressive faces.

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  6. Glad that you are all fine and your house is fine, too. The paintings are beautiful as always.Have a great weekend.

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  7. These watercolors are so amazing!! I think you have found your medium!! The animal acrylics are fabulous--but in my opinion these watercolor far excel!! Glad your house was intact and that you survived the storm!

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  8. Stunning paintings.
    Happy weekend ❤

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  9. really exquisite art and beautiful flow of colors Silke. What an experience to go thru but happy to know you were safe and your home intact. Happy PPF!

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  10. So glad to know you came through without any damage to your house or, more importantly, injury to you and your loved ones!
    I particularly love the last painting, that one really "speaks" to me.

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  11. Your art is just amazing, Silke. The colors are beautiful. I would love to know how to achieve the eyes that you paint. What a tragic storm you emerged from fairly unscathed!

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  12. the limited palette seems to suit your style really well :)

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  13. Your new art is beautiful! I never would've thought you only used 3 colours! And so good that you and your house got through the storm well!

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  14. I'm so glad to hear you all were safe from the storm and didn't have any damage. I love your new paintings. Those last two faces really grab me.
    blessings
    ~*~

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  15. These are lovely - so intrigued by your limited palette!

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  16. I LOVE your paintings. There is so much emotion in each one. Maybe because of the trauma of having to be evacuated and not knowing your future? It seems when we go through a traumatic event, it changes other parts of our lives as well. Either way, I am glad you all are okay and your watercolor paintings have really inspired me. I think I am going to dig mine out, unless I gave them away already. Big hugs, Rasz

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  17. So glad you are safe and sounds and rode it out so well!! Your new paintings are so stunning and heartfelt. Wow the eyes speak volumes and the emotions are truly amazing. Your words really meld with the artwork... the worry, wonder, fear and then contentment...all conveyed! Just excellent. You are an phenomenal talent Silke no matter what you put your hand to! Unique and amazing!

    Hugs Giggles

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  18. These paintings are gorgeous. I love your palate and your eyes are incredibly expressive.
    Glad your trauma is behind you. Happy PPF

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  19. I love the autumn colours you have used especially the yellow

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  20. Beautiful and sumptuous use of watercolour. I love these paintings!!

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  21. I am so lucky that I get to see these first on FB and then again here all at one time. I love the watercolors you are doing. They are rich and full. Just beautiful.

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  22. Totally gorgeous, wow. The features are amazing. Love that last one in particular, she really has a sad look in her eye.

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  23. Wonderful watercolor faces. The last one is my favorite, but wow- the are all peerfect.

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  24. I am glad you were safe and got through the storm undamaged! What a wonderful job you're doing with your limited palette - your painting are so vibrant and full of colour!

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  25. Wunderschön deine Portraits und sehr berührend. Ich freue mich daß der furchtbare Sturm euch und euer Heim verschont hat. Schön zu hören daß die Menschen in solchen Notsituationen zusammen halten und einander helfen.
    Liebe Grüße
    Sabine

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