Tag: colour

Creativity's Alive

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 29 Comments

I hit a dry spell over the holidays. Felt deflated as far as creativity went. So Ric bought me new materials – ink pens, markers, pastels, and paper, lots of paper. Still, none of my photographs were inspiring me. I really wanted to create something from my own imagination, but have little faith in my ability.

So, I doodled vines. Over and over again, till the idea for the featured image came to my mind. Then, I thought of trees. I once loved sketching trees – why not try again. I got whimsical:

Now, I’m stuck on trees, and enjoying the ink so much:

Looks like trees are fulfilling my creative need for the time being.

(Submitted for Eugi’s Causerie weekly prompt: alive. Look for my art on Redbubble, Society6, or Zazzle.)

Winter Hues

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 10 Comments

Winter paints the landscape in monochrome hues –
frosted blue waters reflected in iced trees,

The greys and browns of goose feathers
camouflaged against a buff backdrop.

(for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Basically One Colour or Hue.)

Shades of Pink

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 13 Comments

Protested pink, as a child,
associated, as it was,
with all things weak –
or so I perceived.

A new generation redefines
the contours of pink –
adds edges and function
a statement of empowerment

Now, I adopt the shade,
insert pink in place of blue,
transform expression –
celebrate pink’s invention.

(Inspired by Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week challenge: shades of pink.)

Contrasts

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 10 Comments

New to photography and art, the concept of contrasts (opposites on the colour wheel) is an eye-opener. I had to search through my archives, and recent pics, to discover something fitting. It is easy to see how contrasts add humour to this Hallowe’en costume – colour, shapes and sizes contrasted. (A sad selfie).

Contrasts – reds and greens – makes this Green Heron one of my favourite birds, and no doubt makes the following image so appealing: the pop of red amongst green leaves, along with the subdued tones of the Great Blue Heron, and the mirror-like stillness of the moment captured.

(Thank you to Nancy Merrill for her Photo of the Week challenge: contrasting colours. Your prompts instruct and inspire, Nancy.)

Creativity- Releasing Perfectionism

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 24 Comments

Having given myself permission to paint with bolder colours and abandon the expectation of replicating the perfection of photographs, I am venturing into more ambitious projects.

Mistakes, I am learning, can be tossed or mended.  The featured image was meant to be a sunset over water, but my mother called just as I was putting paint to paper and the distraction resulted in a less than satisfactory image.  Discouraged I set the work aside, and then decided to turn the water aspect into long grass.

Mountains my art“Would you be interested in a painting from your mother for your birthday?” I asked my son – too polite to say no.

“I’d love a mountain scene,” he offered.  For four years he lived in Calgary, and still hears the call of the slopes.  I googled a photo of the mountains as viewed from his former home and created this piece.  He says he loves it, but I am dissatisfied with the sky – an area I hope to explore more when I take lessons in October.

IMG_2405I have many images sketched and awaiting my attention, and while I try to paint as often as I can, several end up in the trash pile.  That’s okay; I am learning, I keep reminding myself.  This is just the beginning.

Recently, we took a road trip to Ottawa, following back lanes through rural Ontario.  Stopped at a quaint diner, I took a picture of the outside view.  To date, this is my favourite piece and I’ve framed it with grey to accent the window effect.

Now my middle daughter has requested a water scene for her birthday, so my wheels are turning in a different direction.  Likely I’ll do a few practice runs before I attempt the final product.  She is a perfectionist, so pleasing her will be quite a feat.  Actually, I’m okay with my art being relegated to hidden away places.  At least she’ll have something personal from me.