©2012 Lori McNee
Fleeting Summer
24×12
oil on board
Lately, I have been having fun using more color and texture in my paintings. Using a big putty knife, I begin with an abstract painting.
Then, I build up more traditional layers of oil paint and finish the details with a paintbrush.
The title, “Fleeting Summer”, came to me while I was finishing this piece. Sunflowers are one of the last flowers to bloom in my garden and the Western Tanager is a summer visitor who leaves for warmer weather once the temperatures drop.
I love this painting. I saw it on the side of your blog page and it shouted visual excitement. It is one thing to be a great painter, but add imaginative elements to the design with color and texture, and, WOW. For me, this one not only speaks, it shouts! Well done!
Lori, this is really an outstanding piece. One of my new favorites
!
Wanted you to know who lovely a painting this is to me. Ther bird seems to be perched there perfectly. nice job!
At first glance the painting seemed rather sad, almost ominous. Looking further, it remains so, even in its beauty, as Summer Fleeting so aptly describes the feeling. Beautiful, Lori, and I so enjoy the backstory to a piece of artwork.
I think that the bird there is not necesary.
Hello, 3 days ago, saw a few humming birds in my styrex tree. Then there was a flash of yellow, and saw for the first time in 30 years in pdx a W. Tanager. What a beautiful bird! Is interesting to me, a few days latter, I followed a twitter link, and came across your new painting. Very beautiful. Do you have a gallery in PNW that represents you? I am quite taken by your picture.
Thank you, Elsa
Lovely painting. I am going to try this
This is so beautiful! It evokes such emotion in me that it is hard to write down. I could almost tear up it is so beautiful. Thank you for this site and its inspiration.
I just want to learn to draw flowers, but love birds too! This just says so much and I love your commentary of the last flower to bloom and the last bird to head south! What a lovely title … “Fleeting Summer” … very sweet.
Wow! It’s really awesome! I like the combinations that you employ… Excellet deatails to give a perfect definition to your artwork.
Btw: I love sunflowers!
Fantastic!
Greetings from México!
I am a fan of your paintings Lori especially your nature pieces. Your site is growing to be my mentoring site since the time I got back to having fine art as one of my core businesses in Dubai after doing only commercial art & animation for more than a decade.
Thanks and I enjoy being a regular visitor to your articles!
Remy
This is such a gorgeous painting!! I love it!!!
Hi Lori
This painting is full of life! I also love the background on this one. I always struggle with my backgrounds becoming boring but you have nailed it! How much does the lighting in your still-life setup influence the light pattern in the background? Or do you “add” to it so as to aid in the composition? (ex. the darker on the to top left edge brings my eye back to the focal point. My eye can almost not escape the canvas!)
Lee
Hello Lori!
I love birds and I enjoy painting them. However, I am wondering if you could give me some tips on making the the bird’s feathers look more realistic. Thanks!
Beautiful paintings Lori. I love thick painting and with lots of different tools though I am no longer using the medium of oils and work mainly in egg tempera I sure do love the lush tactile use and application of oil! Almost makes me want to eat it…but that would be bad and well just wrong! LOL
Wow, Lori, this is so lovely. Love the colors over colors, the texture, and its simplicity!
Bonsoir,
J’ai relevé votre site dans une vidéo youtube.
Je suis en France.
Je commence la peinture one stroke. Je suis agée pour apprendre le dessin et une technique.
Me permetez-vous de prendre exemple sur une fleur de tournesol de votre joli tableau.
Bonne continuation et grand succès.
amicalement Claude
Hello Helen, thank you! I am partial to this painting myself. I hope to build on this theme in the future.
Lori
Hi Catherine, please don’t eat those luscious paints – lol! I am enjoying the yummy textures and colors too. Thanks for taking time to comment!
Lori
Hello Emilee, I have been wanting to do a demo on painting birds’ feathers and will plan to work on that soon. Thanks for reminding me! Meanwhile here is a video that might help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3xsZrciT0c&feature=player_embedded let me know!
I have been working really hard on my backgrounds too. I’ve been bored with my traditional look, so I am glad you like this one! The lighting does help me, but I use ‘artistic license’ with my color schemes now. I am not following my set-up exactly anymore. I am planning a little still life demo to share on my blog soon. Will keep you posted.
Thanks!
Lori
Thank you so much Connie,
Best,
Lori
Hello Remy, thank you so much for your kind words. I am so glad you are finding my tips useful. It sounds like you have been enjoying and interesting life. I here Dubai is and exciting city. Let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Lori
Thank you Alan! I love gaining International friends and visitors. I really appreciate you taking time to comment.
Greetings from Idaho!
Lori
Wow, what a nice compliment. I am so glad you are touched by this painting Ann-Marie. Yes, the title was so fitting. I am grateful for your visit here.
Lori
Thank you.
Hello Elsa, I do not have a gallery in the PNW. But, I am here in Idaho, Montana and Utah. Let me know if you would like me to send you the gallery links. Thank you for your nice words and visit.
Lori
Maybe not! And that is a nice compliment too. I like to add the birds to my work, but often wonder if I should leave them out at times. But, then the painting is just another ‘still’ life to me…
Lori
I wonder if the title caused those feelings or if the painting did? Interesting feedback. Thank you!
Lori
Thank you Mariena. I appreciate you!
Lori
Hi Jay, I am way behind on my blog comments. Thanks for taking time to visit and comment. I am partial to this piece too.
Lori
Thanks for shouting Cathy!!! It is always such a nice compliment to receive good feedback from talented ‘friends’. I appreciate it a lot.
Best,
Lori
Beautiful, inspired work, Lori!
I am fine art studend and fan of you. Medom your all paintings super super super and also you
The bird is absolutely necessary. Great paintng.
Thank you Pamella.
Lori
Well, that is very sweet of you. Happy learning!
Lori
Thank Lynda! It’s nice to have you stop by…