Oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches. June, 2009. Reference Photo
This is my entry in the Different Strokes From Different Folks (DSFDF) bi-weekly challenge, submitted on 6/02/09.
Once again, this is out of my "comfort zone" because there is a deadline. I am not very happy with the painting, but I know that even if I spent another year working on this, it would not be much better. My primary goal for this project was to use it as a learning experience, and I consider that part a success. I learned a lot.
What did I learn?
As I planned/prepared for this project, I studied several paintings by Vincent van Gogh. I focused on three things - (1) the grass in the foreground, (2) the sky, and (3) the van Gogh sunflowers. I decided to skip the sunflowers and leave that out of my painting. I made an effort at the Van Gogh sky, and I disliked what I had, so I painted over it. My finished painting has a decidedly un-remarkable sky. The grass/wheat/whatever in the foreground of my painting is directly influenced by the van Gogh painting Wheat Field at Auvers with White House - 1890 near the end of his life.
My conclusion - I began this project thinking van Gogh was one of my favorite painters. After attempting to copy him, my admiration and appreciation has grown significantly. He was quite the mad genius.
It is such a great understanding to know that all our paintings are great learning pieces for all of us. Very nice job.