Gardening

"Ready to Plant"
14 x 11, oil on canvas
(c) Lesley Powell 2015

The groundhog recently told us that we have six more weeks of winter. Despite what he said, I am thinking of spring! The clay pots stacked in my garage have seemed to be begging for planting season to arrive, and they provided the inspiration for a new series of paintings. I'm sure that the other artists in my studio building thought I was crazy

when they saw me hauling potting soil and garden tools up to my third floor studio. But I was not to be deterred---and I have enjoyed the challenge of making pleasing paintings from simple geometric objects.

"The Kindest Cut"
10 x 10, oil on linen
(c) Lesley Powell 2015

This has been a great series for analyzing color relationships. Not to mention honing my drawing skills. I was so happy to read a comment on my Facebook page about the top painting from fellow artist Ann Watcher: "Subtle, geometric, relaxing and suggestive of spring." Just what I was hoping to achieve.

"Watering Can"
12 x 12, oil on linen
(c) Lesley Powell 2015

Just looking at these garden implements makes me want to get to digging in the dirt! In a few weeks, if the weather will permit that. Meanwhile, you can read more about these paintings here. There is more to be explored in this series, so stay tuned.