Abell to Art: Impressionist Paintings

Reaching for the Light

                                                                              Follow the light unflinchingly.  J.R.R. Tolkien

                                                                          Artist Susan Abell finding inspiration on Jekyll Island, Ga

Have you ever watched a sunrise over water?  Maybe you described the experience as spectacular, awe-inspiring, or simply amazing.

It may have seemed as if the light was reaching out directly to where you were. That it is the premise behind this painting in progress.

On my trips to Georgia's coast, I like to rise early, just before dawn.

Waiting for the dawn is exciting when you are in anticipation of  the glorious light show to come.

What might seem a mundane daily event is greatly heightened with the aspect of light over water.

To adequately represent a beach sunrise on canvas required a few steps.  Thinking ahead with the end result in mind, that is.

In this case, I used a layer of golden yellow first since that was the point after all.

Marshes are among my most favorite subjects to paint.  There is just something about the way light is reflected within the marsh grass.

I like how the shadows of the marshes in water contrast with reflected light.  It seems to add a hint of mystery.

Using an oil palette of cool and warm colors alternating applied with brushes and palette knife, the 'light story' takes shape.

I wanted your eye to follow the reflected light through the marsh, transitioning from sky to foreground.

A primary goal of this piece was to create a simplified work that allowed the light to be the emphasis- a serene luminosity in other words.

Hopefully, the final details will complete the effect of capturing the essence of marsh morning light.

Reminding myself that in this case, less is more and restraint in adding details may be required.