Impressionist Art

Also known (by me) as Rossist Art (aka. Bob) or Shearerist art (aka, my granddad, who paints the most amazing, mural-size, nature paintings).

Hope you enjoy!

[NOTE: These are in descending order from earliest to most recent. I.e. they get better!]

[Updated August 23]

Caine's Winter Painting

My friend asked me for a winter scene for Christmas. This was my first true attempt at a nature painting. When I finished, I cried. I couldn't believe I'd done it. Granddad is 95, so I live in constant awareness that time with him is precious. Discovering the ability to paint realistically is like having a little piece of him passed on to me. And he's very proud; and annoyed I waited so long to try.

Jason's Christmas Gift

My husband was disappointed that the aforementioned painting was already promised to someone else. I painted this one directly after. We made a pine frame for it, stained and varnished the frame, and now it hangs proudly in our living room.

First Cherry Blossom

My Blood Brother asked me to try a temple and cherry blossoms. Instead of following my intuition, I relied on a Google image. Even though he claimed to love it, I wasn't pleased. So....

Better Japan

I painted this one directly after. I was painting on pieces of old school desks, solely with acrylics. I'm very pleased with this one; it's akin to what I envisioned. And it's solely my own conception.

Intuitive Lake

Christmas brought with it gifts of canvases and oil paints (my brother and granddad insisted I switch to oil. I used acrylic to intuitive-paint the lake. Everything else was getting used to oils. I'm quite pleased with the ferns, yo.

Frosty Birch

Birch trees are my favorite. Grandma had one in her front yard; as a little girl I thought it was made of snow, even in the summer. It was magical. So any excuse to paint birch trees. I was still getting used to the oils. The foreground reminds me of a hill at my granddad's that has peach trees at the top. It's a rough-hewn, overgrown path.

Redwood Forest

I didn't particularly like this one. My aunt did though; it's been gifted to her. I'm gonna lie and say it's supposed to be a Redwood Forest because the ferns are so big! In my defense, it was my first time using Black Gesso, and I was many frustrated layers in. A learning experience.

Gothic Austria

More learning with Black Gesso. I used a model for this one; an old "Wonderful Austria" poster. My trees kind of look like telephone polls, lol. But my brother said, "Why, thank you. I love it!" when I showed him, so he owns this one now.

Bayeux

This is based on a photo I took while in Bayeux, France. Along the canal in summertime. I painted this on a two-day blitz of snow days. I loved the photo and was thrilled that I came close with the oils.

"May I help you?"

I painted this for my in-laws. They've been to Alaska and asked for a painting with a bear. I love his facial expression; hence, the title of the painting.

Mom's Black Forest Painting

Mom asked me for a winter scene. I had been to Black Forest, Germany a few summers ago and took some photos at the open-air museum. The cottage is from one of those photos. I also had to add little cardinals because they were my grandma's favorite bird, and seeing them in winter reminds us of her.

Urquhart Castle at Sunset

In the spirit of integrity, I'm including this painting, which I feel was a total fail. But it was requested by my step-daughter, and she claims to love it. It hangs in her home, so I guess it's not a total fail. More learning with oils and layers and how allowing the paint to dry is sometimes just better (sorry, Bob).

Warm Winter

This is actually the first painting I did for my step-daughter. It's heavily Bob Ross-inspired. I dig the permafrost especially. It's spiffy.

Dordogne

Aw, my little french chateaux! I painted it to compliment Bayeux. It proudly hangs in my hallway. I added the white roses because they're my favorite, and they're my favorite because of Beauty and the Beast, Faery Tale Theatre edition.

Victor's House

I have a neighbor who's such a sweet man. He asked my husband to ask me to paint him a pastel. I don't know if this fits the bill, but it's as pastel as I can go. It's inspired by an abandoned house along the C&O canal in Maryland. I'm gifting it to him at some point; hope he likes it.

Gdad's Woodshop

I painted this for Granddad's 95th birthday. It's his woodshop that he recently converted into his "bachelor pad". Beautiful pine paneling, kitchen, bathroom; the works. But this is how it looked in the 60's. I've put Grandma's no-longer-existing birch tree in the background, where it would have stood. RIP birch!

Love Wins

My first painting of Summer 2019. Last summer, we visited Palestine for several days. I welcome any opportunity to tell people of my experience there, as well the hidden truths of the human injustices currently inflicted upon the Palestinian people. I felt moved to complete this painting and donate it to a non-profit called Least of These. Once it's up for sale or raffle (whatever they decide to do with it) I'll make an update.

Across the Sea

This summer ('19), my hubby discovered a Youtube channel with two of the most lovely human beings you'd ever want to meet, sailing around the world. I was hooked after one 15-minute episode. If you haven't checked out Sailing La Vagabonde yet, it is nutrition amidst the junk food of entertainment. And if you really love them (like we do), you should support them by becoming a "patron" on Patreon (not a sponsor).

Anyway, this was my first attempt at a seascape. My step-daughter asked for one. She's displaying three of my paintings in her home so, color me flattered!

Faery Forest

Recently, I received a request for a "faery forest". Thankfully, it did not need to have little faeries painted into it (human form is not my strong suit); so I settled for metallic silver paint dust, which was fun to do (thanks for the tip, Bob!). I think the detail is improving. I'm actually giving this to the recipient that day after posting this. I'd say the chances of her seeing it early are slim! Hmm...

Thaw

Having fun with a forest theme, the Northern Lights, and an intuitive lake. This painting was a no-stress exercise in layers and controlling details. I'm also learning the value of mineral spirits to thin oil paint.

Fitting

At my previous school of hire, I remember taking exactly one "mental health" day, and that was the afternoon that my doctor confirmed that I probably had MS. Since accepting a job at an inner-city school last year, with zero discipline (outside of the classroom) and administrator persecution (instead of much-needed support), "mental health" days are becoming a common piece of my vocabulary. This past week, one month into year two, time away was much needed. My husband asked if this painting (which I did in a single afternoon) matched my mood. I hadn't really considered it while I was painting; however, as I look at it now, there's a definite mirrored effect. Like seeing an inner-reflection of my deep-rooted turmoil and unhappiness. There's a certain unsettling beauty to it, but one of struggle, as if the light is fighting against the encroaching dark. Fitting.

Glacial Waters

Okay, so this one is almost a blatant forgery of a Bob Ross. It was so freaking beautiful though and I had such fun painting it.

Standing Stones

My husband's cousin has a strong Irish heritage. She's been asking for a painting. I attempted some standing stones (taken from the Orkney Islands in Scotland). I like the smaller stones in the foreground. Painting the moors doesn't add a lot of drama, but I think she'll like it.

Letting Go

"I still remember me before you." --Seinebo Sey

This past spring, I made a promise to myself that I was going to transform my little writing room. For the past four years, it's been almost solely occupied by the artwork of a loved one who's since been in and out of my life through no choice of my own. Those pieces have become relics of a time I now recognize as one of the most beautiful of my life, but as temporary and passed. Grief is a different animal when the loved one you've lost chose to leave. It has been harder to reconcile the want of connection with someone who does not want the same than it has been to accept deaths, and it has taken this person's withdrawal not once...more than twice, for me to reach this place of resignation. To say: I can love you without false hope of relationship, of family. I can just love you, and let go. So I am letting go. Part of that process has become the ritual of packing up those relics and replacing them with new creations. Part has been a re-centering around God, a deepened appreciation of my family, myself, and the relationships I trust. Like any grief, it is a long rebuilding. But like any grief, the missing becomes less paralyzing, bitterness fades, pain is muted; some day, all that will be left is love.

Cripple Creek

Started as a would be copy. Ended up totally different, with a decided woodsy flair. It complements the rest of my upstairs galaxy quite nicely!

New Greneda

Many of my paintings take me home. One of two places that are "home". Even though home is only 45 minutes (or so) away, it is a deep comfort I can't indulge in as often as I'd like. So I go through the canvas, my own looking glass, and feel more myself.

The Thicket: A Painting in 4x Movements

Bleak Midwinter

Amy Brown once commented that fans most loved her art that she wasn't super thrilled with (paraphrased). I find that often holds true. I wasn't ultra impressed with this one, but my husband loves it, so it's his.

Karyssa's Christmas Village

I did my best. I learned a "lazy" sky technique, and that's my favorite feature.

Love is a Song

First painting of 2020. Pure, blind luck and one of my favorites.

One Feature

That's all I had. One feature; the sky. The rest was a lesson in frustration, less is more, and mineral spirits.

Cripple Creek Deux

This is more of what I imagined when I attempted the first Cripple Creek. I also decided to challenge myself with a red color scheme, since I incline towards blues and green. Earth & Water elements. But yeah, super pleased with this.

The Pond

This was done from a photo I took at my granddad's; my favorite place. Granddad's gentle comment was: water is hard. Oh well! Can't win them all!

Chamonix

Also painted from a photo I took on my first European trip. We had the most beautiful view from our window of the glacier. It was a 3rd floor, airless room in the worst place I've ever stayed, but the view was worth it.

April, Come She Will

A happy little mix of Monet & Bob Ross inspiration. Thanks Bob for teaching me the power of the palette knife!

Like a Bridge

Playing around with more bridges. Love the background and should've let it be without the blossoms. Oh well. Another lesson in less is more.

Dusk

I had this epiphany to use up my little canvases by bracing them together and painting. I'm really pleased with this little guy.

I Miss France

I really do. This painting began as something entirely different and I had to compensate for how enormous this bridge became!

Willow

Was actually supposed to be part of I Miss France, but was out of perspective. So, it's a happy little standalone. Aw.

Stroll

What I intended I Miss Paris to be. Not sure why it often takes me two tries. Maybe I'm working out the nerves!

One Part Austria

I took a photo of a church in Austria that became the focal point for this painting. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm getting better or worse? Or maybe I vacillate between a painting I love and one I loathe. This did not come about as I envisioned, but there are parts of it I really like. The water, for instance. I could burn down those pine trees though. Jk.

[Below:]

I Walk the Canal in Springtime--1st painting done on large, wood canvas.

Genetics--3x panel dedicated to Granddad and The Farm.