On Painting

i think everyone needs a wedding painting inspired from their favorite wedding photograph. 

  this beautiful piece of art was painted by my friend susan adam, who works on commission creating original paintings inspired from photographs. susan joined me on my trip from maine to massachusetts to photograph shaylah and jonathan's delightful wedding. after seeing their final set of wedding photographs susan felt compelled to paint this 24x36 oil painting.

together we make a pretty good pair. susan is a gifted painter and an aspiring photographer. while i have always dreamed of wearing a shirt covered in rainbow paint smudges. this year we decided that susan would help me experiment with painting and i would help her take control of the settings on her camera.

susan helping me get the right color mix. below my unfinished first painting. it's waiting for me in maine.

during our painting lessons susan ignited something new in me. jon sensed this and surprised me with an awesome painting easel for my birthday. tubes of paint and supplies have been arriving in the mail. our kitchen nook, otherwise know as cafe heather has become the future painting room. i like this idea of really sitting inside of a single image and studying every little detail. analyzing the tilt of a head, the color of the shadow, the texture in a white sheet. after shooting hundreds of photographs every weekend, i now enjoy staring at just one and envision how i would paint it.

i find myself worrying about how long it will take me to feel confident in painting. i think about what a long path i have been on with photography. i remember my first studies with my camera and all the mistakes i made. sometimes it makes me not want to start. but i'm trying to silence that negative nelly in my head. i've decided that this will be my one thing that i do just for me. good is not the goal. i'll do it just because there is a little patter in my heart. for now i am studying brush strokes and color theory while i sip espresso in the morning. painting a few strokes whenever i can steal an hour or two.

 

susan sent me this painting as a birthday gift. it's a painting of her and her husband's gallery. it was on a random visit to their gallery where I first saw her paintings and made a new friend. when i look at this painting i see friendship and possibility. thank you susan, I love staring at your brushstrokes!

Comments

[Jonas ( americanvirus )]

Wow Heather. That's awesome. I've always wanted to draw and paint. Well, I actually have drawn and painted a lot... just not anything 'Art' worthy. That's art with a capital 'A.' I still do it on occasion. It relaxes me when I'm uncritical about it. I'm amazed by people who can somehow pull a beautiful image out of a canvas. It's like magic to me. Your posts are inspiring.

[carrie]

this is so great! even the artistic need an artistic outlet. it's inspiring too because no one ever starts perfect, but you always have to start somewhere. since it's just for you, are you going to post on the blog?

[robyn]

beautiful work. heather i'm so happy for you - painting is soul food.

[Logo Design Canada]

like this creative combination between painting art and photo.
I like this creative painting.
Thanks for a interesting post share with us.
I like your blog.

[susan]

Thanks everyone! Too bad we can't swap brains even for a day. I too wonder if I'll ever be confident taking pictures. It can be frustrating to look at your pictures and think "I'll never be that good" And at the same time they give me something to strive for everyday. See you soon!

[Rambles with Reese]

These paintings are just beautiful and I think it's wonderful that you've discovered something that is just for you to find joy and relish in. I know what you mean about the negative feelings and I think that it's the cause of why many people don't pursue certain things because they're afraid of not being good enough...myself included.

Glad you're going for it Heather!

[Kip]

Quantify it however you like... I think all weddings need John + Heather + One Love Photo.

Done deal Ally McBeal.

[buhdoop]

That is beyond cool.

[Carrie Hasson]

p.s. Susan, the painting is incredible!

[Carrie Hasson]

you inspire me in so many ways Heather. your talent, your viewpoint, your artistry, your journey. every time i read a poem, view a single photo, i am transported into a place that makes me feel cozy and warm. your sincerity in everything you do, reminds me to just be the artist that i was meant to be, without drawing comparisons. I love that you continue to grow and challenge yourself as an artist, and that you listen to those voices that lead you there.
thanks again, for inspiring me by just being you!

[Lucky]

How inspiring! I want to paint a friend's picture of his little girl and give it to his family. This has given me a nudge to actually DO it. Gotta start somewhere, eh? I love the wedding portrait example. What a beautiful interpretation!

[kyle]

wow! that painting is amazing!