Jaci Dawn

I have not painted much in the past couple years. I would love to be able to pull out the oil paints, but with a crowded house and babies and a big dog that eats anything, painting is not going to happen in the near future. I did not paint with oils for several years while the kids were little, either.

A few years ago, I had the time, inclination, space and privacy. (I need privacy to paint. Just something about being all alone and making a mess that fuels the muse.) I thought I would share with you one of my experiments with oil paints.

I discovered painting in bold, loose strokes. Prior to 2003, my oils consisted of tight, careful strokes.

I lose track of time when I have a brush in my hand.

I was having so much fun with the bold strokes that I got a little carried away with the antlers.

I confess: I copied it from a photograph I saw in a magazine of a big buck in the early morning light. I wasn’t being concerned with detail as much as I just wanted to capture the lighting.

And it makes me ache for the room to paint. Love having my kidlets here, but I am aching to be able to put brush to canvas. I have so much room for improvement and it is such great therapy!