Starting my painting

So I decided to log the process of this painting, in part, to allow my friend the experience of art teaching from home but also just to allow my followers a bit of variety in the blog. I don't know how interesting this will be to all parties, but I am going to post these periodically on my website too: mollymcloughlin.com

This one is the prepping the canvas for a sketch. Note that I am not working on a white background. I have gessoed the background with a half a pill bottle of white gesso and a squirt of lime green and cobalt blue acrylic. I was taught never to paint on a white canvas because it is intimidating. Also, by laying down this green tone I have established the temperature for my painting. Normally if I wanted a warm feeling I would lay down yellow or some variant of warm but this is an oceanish painting so it's cool.

Geography

I have been having a fantastic morning in my painted overalls, prepping for my next painting.... here's the digital sketch I've come up with post hand sketching....
It was hilarious trying to capture the picture of me.... running up and down the loft stairs in ten seconds. Talk about balance...

Trina

With this picture staring at me from my desktop I cannot help but feel focused.
I imagine Trina saying, "Molly are you staying focused?"
I remember walking along the sidewalks, home from the train station, after a long day at Holiday House, her publishing company, after hours in the 'library' surrounded by her art, by people who believed in her talent as an artist.
I remember Judith Lerner's comment about Trina never fooling around, but always working hard.
And then I think of Trina telling me, "Molly, remember what you want to do. Remember how hard I had to work. Molly, listen. Work. Do."

the A, B, C's

So I write this running on what should be three nights of sleep condensed into the equivalent of two. AKA I'm sleep deprived.

It has been awhile since I have posted. A couple new things going on in my life: a.) I got a new job that cuts my commute down to just 1 hour and a half. b.) I received my Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators pack (yes, I've finally joined) c.) my job has benefits so hopefully I can get contacts soon and no longer have to deal with speckled glasses in the rain. d.) I've looked at four apartments and met some very colorful people. e.) I am painting Tuesday come hell or high water. f.) I went to a Chris Pureka concert in Northampton with my mum and it was absolutely awesome. Right up there with the time I made Ma go see The X-Files at 10:30 on a school night in Cincinnati. Needless to say that didn't help in my sleep campaign.

My new job has me leaving the house between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM. While this may sound absurd, I drive through the most beautiful landscapes and watch the sun crest over the trees, only to reflect on the ponds per my return as it settles back into it's space on the opposing horizon. It makes me feel like drawing, or painting.

I did some nice sketches of Chloe and Ma the other day while waiting for my laundry. I'll try to post them on my day off. I guess The Starving Artist no longer does figure drawing on Mondays which is a bummer since I loved that little time, but I suppose I always have the passerby's in the parks.

Also, I started up kidbookstop.com.
Check it out. I'll do my best to update it once a month.