Day 57: Change Is In the Air
The arctic wind that blew into Florence this morning took away the last of summer.I was walking fast trying to find some sunshine and wondering why it was so cold all of a sudden. Completely unprepared with sandals and a light shirt, walking and finding a sunny spot were the only chances of keeping warm.This is a familiar feeling for me in Florence. After having lived here for 6 years, I know this change in the air. On one hand I love this time because the winds clean out the pollution in the city, leaving this crystal clear air where you can see for miles. On the other hand I really dread winter which the first signs of winter instill in me. The next months of trying to stay warm while painting outside are always long.Out with my friend and fellow painter Tanya Harsch, she suggested we go to check out the park with the Lutheran Church for painting. 
September Morning at the Lutheran Church, Florence8×6″Oil on Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012For years I would come to this tiny park tucked along the river not far from the Ponte Vecchio in search of something to paint. Never, until today, could I find just the right composition.The angles of the buildings along with the light and shadow were tricky and moving at lightning speed. It was a good challenge and certainly one that I never would have attempted before today.If you like today’s painting, you can buy it here from my website.Thanks for following the 120 Day Project!
Sue Pownall
September 14, 2012 at 9:13 amWow you’re past the halfway mark. Lovely Florence paintings.
Kelly Medford
September 17, 2012 at 8:24 amThanks Sue! I know, the time is just flying. I don’t know what the paintings will look like by the end. Thanks for following!
Lisa Flowers Ross
September 26, 2012 at 8:41 pmI can see the crystal clear sky in your painting. Since the conditions change so fast, how fast do you paint? How long does it take you to do a painting?
(Sorry, I never like being asked how long it takes to make an artwork. But I am curious since you are outside with changing light.)
Kelly Medford
September 28, 2012 at 11:08 amHi Lisa, great questions!
This is a small painting, which helps to be able to cover the canvas more quickly.
I can spend anywhere from 1-3 hours on a small one like this, depending on the light and changes I want to make.
I handle the constantly changing light by picking a moment and painting it. I try to get the light and shadows as big shapes or ideas from the first and then add or refine from there. Memory also plays a huge role in landscaping along with just trial and error as well as experimenting. Practice, practice and then some more is all there is to it, and learning consciously what works and what doesn’t along the way.
I hope this answers your questions. In some ways there are no real answers to the questions about how to go about it, you just go for it!
Kelly