As many of you know I have picked up my oil paints after many years of leaving them behind. Over the last year and a half I decided to revisit my once favorite medium. I also quite madly decided to do this outside! I love painting and painting the world that fills my day. My center of peace is walking my dogs…it clears my head and fills my heart so it is a natural extension to paint the fields that surround me.
After years of working in watercolor and mastering the technique (always working on improvement) this is a whole new world of success and failure. Sometimes I swear I hear my paint tubes mocking me 🙃 I have learned to embrace my failures as much as my successes…they are my teachers.
I have learned that each painting is a stepping stone to the next painting…each painting teaches what not to do on the next painting 😉 If my painting works I feel happiness and if it is a mess I embrace the mess and learn from it…it will help me to be better. I come to each blank canvas without expectation…I come to learn and to see where it takes me…it is very freeing to enjoy the effort and see where it leads.
Next week classes begin. I hope that with these lessons I have learned from my own work to help students not to be frustrated that every painting will not be a masterpiece but that each painting gets you closer to what you hope to achieve. Failure is a wonderful teacher…..take the lesson it offers and move forward ❤️
Barking Dog Studio 
That hilltop painting is really stunning
Thanks Hill 🙂
Great advice and soooo important! Thanks Laura for all you’re guidance. To my eye -of the paintings you have shared all are a total success- each capture a beautiful point in time, light and mood. You inspire me! Xoxo
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So kind Lynn…thanks so much ❤️
Let me try this again ☺️How beautiful! And how “artfully” you model what the Buddhists call “beginner’s mind.” I love how you said “I come to each blank canvas without expectation…I come to learn and to see where it takes me.” Isn’t that the best way to approach painting, writing, and perhaps even life?
Thank you so much for your openness in sharing your process, and your beautiful paintings.
Thank you so much Connie ❤️
Love the message, and the painting. Thanks Laura.
❤️
There are no failures. Occasionally a little disaster happens but this is still a personal achievement. All your skills are outstanding. Great teacher Great artist. Overall fabulous person
Too sweet grasshopper 😉
So beautifully said, you paint with words❤️
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❤️ thank you Susan…
Thanks Linda 🙂
Thanks Lynn ❤️ I don’t post the clinkers 😀