A Painting Inspired by a Facebook Friend

Evening Song © Marian Fortunati original photo by Kathy Ikerd 14" x 18" Oil on RayMar Canvas Panel

This painting was inspired from a photo posted by a friend I met during a paint out and whom I've enjoyed getting to know a little better through Facebook.   Kathy Ikerd posted a photo from a  place near her home.  The colors and the mood immediately caught my eye, so I asked her after a bit if I could use it as inspiration for one of my paintings.   She was understandably reluctant because she liked the photo as well and will want to paint from it, but luckily for me, she did say "yes" to my request.

I know that even if Kathy and I were to stand in the same place and paint the same scene that the paintings will come out differently so no worries about that.   Kathy might even think I wasn't totally true to the photo.  ....  sorta true, but not totally.   No matter who I paint with, or how many times other people and I stand in front of the same scene, our paintings always reflect our own feelings and moods and styles which never fails to thrill me and make me smile.   I love looking through those books that show several paintings done by Impressionist friends who painted together.  All were wonderful, but totally different.  Isn't that terrific!!??

When I set about painting this I did try to use the colors to convey the peaceful mood.   The good news is that I enjoyed painting it (Thank you, Kathy!) and my husband told me he really liked it.... (sadly, a rare happening).

On another note...   I suddenly realized that I haven't posted anything in a while despite the fact that I have been painting constantly.  I was going to post a little study I did when I went up to Santa Barbara a few weeks back when I realized that I hadn't yet posted this one.  So many places... so many paintings... so little time.   

Happy painting!