"For me starting a new painting means finding the perfect photograph or in some cases many photo's. For my current painting it was a matter of reduction. At my opening reception at A Piece Of Work in Spirit Lake I stated that I wanted to paint a white shirt. Now I am not at all sure why a cowboy would want to wear a white shirt but some of them really do.
Last year my husband Don and I went to a ranch in South Dakota for a branding. I took over a thousand pictures. I knew I had at least one guy in a white shirt so I started looking to figure out which photo had the most potential.
These are the best ones I had to pick from. They are very involved photos that are going to make very involved paintings. My idea of an ideal painting is simple and in your face. I like to crop and simplify so it was an easy choice for me. The next step is to examine my choice and see if I can make it better. I went through several croppings until I found the one I liked best.
Good
Better
Better, but still too much noise under the horses head
Ah Ha, now that is what I wanted :-) I have my white shirt & ropes and saddle and even a hat, what more could I want???? It doesn't seem to bother me that my cowboy has no head, what do you think of the headless horseman? Maybe it has something to do with living on Sleepy Hollow Road :-)"
Watercolor Painting ©Barb McGee
And here is Barb's finished painting!
Stop by again for more interesting artists from the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!
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