Hope in a Park and a Painting
How can you find hope in a park and a painting? I will share that and more here today. But first, I welcome any new readers here today. If you want to read about the purpose of this post and blog, check out this link here. Let’s get to this week’s painting, shall we?
Where is hope
Last week, I wrote about a painting where I captured the development activity here in Raleigh NC. Thanks to a productive morning walk with BDE (best dog ever) recently, I created a different, more upbeat image of The Oak City. It’s called Hope in a Park and Painting. Here it is and yes it’s for sale for $197 + taxes + shipping. Simply click on the Paypal button below to purchase.
But why the name “Hope in a Park…?” Well, this painting is based upon one of my favorite spots in downtown Raleigh. It’s about a 10 or 15 minute walk from our house. And, the city has just planted at least 7 new trees in this park. I know I know…it’s just a few trees. But, still, I am so excited to see these skinny, little fledgling trees take root. And, hence the name of this week’s painting and post.
A Few Details
Here are a few detail shots of this painting. I confess it was such a delight to paint. Plus I decided to think about some of the new ideas I have had percolating in my head as I painted this one. Such as? Well, I am aiming for more planar, simple shapes to communicate landscapes, light and trees. I love how this painting is a new push towards that thinking.
Hope In Your World
How about you gentle reader? Can you see any signs of hope in your world? Even the smallest thing, like a gentle walk or a bird call you hear on that walk, can inspire hope. Don’t you think? If you can please share what inspires hope for you in the comments here. I would love to hear from you!
4 Comments
Alexandra
September 22, 2022As always, a pleasure to read your blog post, Julie. This one is especially uplifting to learn about trees being planted. I read but didn’t respond to last week’s blog post for reasons I know you understand. All the destruction around us to feed an obsession for owning new, shiny, and large real estate is disheartening, to say the very least. I even dislike using the term “development” as I see it as just the opposite.
I am so excited by your paintings and the description of where your work is headed. It comes through in the piece you posted this week – light, color, and form powerfully captured with simple shapes.
Julie Holmes
September 22, 2022Hi Alexandra,
Kudos for your thoughts about the use of the word “development.” Brilliant!
And, thank you for reading and commenting about this painting here. It is a challenging but conscious attempt to move towards simplification. Gah! A good challenge to pursue, as you well know.
Thinking of you and thank you again for your thoughtful comment here. xoxo
Beth Clary
September 22, 2022Hi Julie, this painting is fascinating to me. It seems more complex and simultaneously not. Hmmm thinking of all those shades of greens and that idyllic pastoral view. Sigh. Very quietly hopeful but I think it took A LOT to pull that off?
I don’t know the term “planar”. When you get a chance can you let me know about it?
Just had a big talk about simpler being better here along the coast of Maine. So hit on something I’m thinking about too!
Julie Holmes
September 22, 2022Hi Beth,
Thank you for your observations here! By planar I mean looking at the things I am painting as shapes. Then thinking about the shapes (or planes) in light and in shadow. The goal is to keep things as simple as possible. So instead of thinking ‘tree’ I might think rectangle shape with one side or plane in light.
Thank you for asking and enjoy that amazing slice of paradise in Maine! xxooxx