Swimmers Series
I started painting my Swimmers Series because I love tapping into that summer vibe and painting water and figures. I have 3 beautiful sisters, and they have been the models for these first paintings in the series.
I absolutely love painting this swimmers series. They are challenging and yet becoming easier to me with each successive painting. I love the duality of simple compositions and complicated refracted light, the blocks of bright, saturated color and dark shadows, and the process of painting a hot summer day in the middle of winter.
When I paint these swimmers, I am painting the past and the present while capturing a part of those fleeting memories that will flit across my mind on a future day when I am old and gray and dip my toes into the pool. I know very well the ordeal of bathing suit shopping, along with the satisfaction of finding one you actually like, and what the material feels and looks like. As one of four sisters and as a mother of a daughter, I have spent many summer hours in my youth and adult life floating in lakes and pools with female companionship. I always watched the beautiful light play on the water and wished I could capture the feeling of camaraderie, the beauty of light and color, and the feeling of youthful, happy days. Now that I am painting this series, it is as if I am capturing those things in a small way and reliving memories while doing so.
Another reason I love painting these scenes is the way it relaxes me and causes me to come away feeling a little lighter and energetic, despite painting for hours. In today's world, with all the negative news vying for our attention, it is important for me to have a creative outlet that makes me feel this way, despite the seemingly frivolous meaning it may present on the surface.
This series will continue to develop, with swimmers at lakes and the ocean, with my sisters, as well as others as subjects.
Pink Float: Swimmers Series 5
When I first looked at the reference photo for this painting, I was struck by the surreal feeling of floating in space created by the figure and the shadow above and below the water. Achieving this illusion was a challenge, but after a few wrong turns, I figured out how to interpret the water within the shadow and adjust all the values to work together. The bright light in this painting adds to lead the eye through the highlights on the hat, suit float and water.
The Deep End: Swimmers 2: oil 24x30"
I loved the brilliant, refracting light in this one. It was a challenge, but fun at the same time.
Once again, one of my beautiful sisters is my model. This one is fittingly titled, since the sister who modeled for it is a cancer survivor. I gave her the original while she was treading in the “deep end” of her life.
Floating: Swimmers 1: oil 30x40"
My models for this first painting in my Swimmers Series are two of my beautiful sisters. Since I love water and beautiful sunlight, as well as the childlike feeling of carefree summer days, I wanted to capture that in Floating.
Passing By: Swimmers 3: oil 36x48"
This third painting in my swimmers series is the largest yet. When I'm finished with a painting, I often judge its success on whether I like it better than the reference photos. I believe that even realism should lend itself to communicating more than just the facts. An artist should cause the viewer to discover something, feel an emotion or evoke personal connections. This painting definitely does that.
Summer Sun: Swimmers 4: oil 36x24"
This is my first swimmer out of the water. I loved how the composition in this one relies heavily on shape and value. The feeling of asymmetry is thrown off by the float in the left corner. I love how shape and line play the largest role in this painting.