Impressions from Holland

Impressions from Holland

This week I had the chance to go to southern Holland and paint some of the most wonderful Dutch skies out on the beach in the village of Katwijk aan Zee.I wasn’t alone. I was with a group of fabulous painters from all over Europe taking a seascaping workshop with painter Roos Schuring.I want to share some of what I learned with you along with the paintings, it was really an exciting and inspiring time for me.Big Morning Clouds, Katwijk24×30 cmOil on Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012The thing that captured me the most and was a real challenge were the clouds and the sky. They were moving at a breakneck pace and so gorgeous I did my best to capture a moment of these unique skies.The shadows and light would move across the beach creating endless gorgeous moments. I really wished I could have frozen just one of them! That was my full-time mission during 3 full days of painting with the group: capture one of these gorgeous moments.Morning On the Beach, Katwijk24×30 cmOil on Board© Kelly Medford, 2012On this trip I really learned that nature is the best teacher. If one can really train themselves to hone their observation skills and translate that into paint, well that’s everything.The first day we had high winds and waves of pouring rain. The group was great and we stuck it out to the end (and even made some finished paintings).Morning Dunes, Katwijk24×30 cmOil on Board© Kelly Medford, 2012What I really learned from this trip was unexpected. Besides the technical aspects of painting, which are always an ongoing learning process, I learned that that the way to paint is with confidence. To decide on a moment, mix the color and put it down on the canvas and to build from there. That is where a painting comes to life. I had to react instantly and to keep going. When I got the canvas covered then I could go back and revise.This was quite a challenge out on the beach. The light is shifting, the clouds are moving, the wind is blowing and the rain moved in countless times. Keeping focus and concentration under the elements can be a lot to manage. I love painting outside. The more I do it the more alive and connected I feel to the work I’m creating and life out there. The comforts of the studio are always nice and relaxing, but it’s not lively and exhilarating like being there. Painting in the moment, reacting spontaneously and naturally to what’s happening around me, now that feels good.I have more paintings to share, which I will do over the next week. They are currently drying and/or covered with sand so it will take me a few days to get them to you. You can see some of these and other available paintings here on my website .Here are a few photos of us out painting, just to give you a sense of what the place was like, the group and how gorgeous the place was.Thanks for your interest in my work and adventures!Roos snapped this picture of me in the pouring rain. I got wet, but kept the painting dry. Notice the bag of sand on the back of the easel to keep it all from blowing away in high winds!Here was a group riding horses early in the morning down the beach. Too bad I had just arrived and didn’t have my easel set up, this would have been an amazing painting!Here’s Roos painting, unfazed by it all and even on her 2nd painting of the day.Our awesome group at the end of the workshop relaxing with a drink and enjoying each other’s company before parting ways.