Just outside, not more than a stones throw away from where I gaze out from the place where I paint, some people call a studio, and I call a room that takes on the appearance of a studio, .. lies these hills.

They constantly change in light and color with the seasons and are more revealed in the winter months. I have done a number of paintings from this exact vantage point many times now, and you have probably noticed a similarity in subject matter if you have been following my paintings. That is because they are. The subject is the same, only the lighting and the seasons change. How convenient for me. These hills and mountains pose permanently for my canvas.

This one in particular I especially like, because I incorporated a stressed surface resulting in a texture that adds an extra interest to the overall work. Its simply called Winter Landscape. Its on a 16x20 stretched canvas and has a light coat of varnish over it. Sometimes, the subjects for an artist are no further away than the back door.

You can find this original piece listed for sale on my Etsy gallery page . russpotak.etsy.com

I'll try to post some other paintings from this location soon, so you can see and compare the way I handled the subjects.

Through the Fence Line

acrylic on paper

12x15

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Another example of my interest in translating a mood rather than a picture. I use the subject as a vehicle, but lean heavily towards an inwards expression of that. A more interpretive translation of the things that caught my soul's interest.

Not all that I do, comes across so evenly, as some attempts get lost in translation, and I deem them good paintings but not true to my innermost attempts to be accurate to the soul, not the eyes of the brain. Speaking from the heart is not always easy as the eyes will try to lead a lot of artists, away from the innermost well of creation and to the known, the predictable, the mundane, the easily crafted.

Mountains in the Mist Landscape Original Painting

Mountain in the Mist

11x15 "

acrylic on paper

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I've been gathering photographs every morning on various walks done by the lake to use as reference subjects in my paintings. I hope to have a plentiful supply as winter approaches, just in case I get bogged down in snowscapes. I look for a mood when getting these pics for studies. I'm not interested in painting a scene per se, but rather the sense of place, and the mood of it. Literal depictions of places would bore me to death. As an artist, I need to reveal something else, not so evident as the outward appearance. I hope to be able to translate this idea into my works. More later.

Farm Fields

15 x 20 inches

acrylic on heavyweight paper

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Well, its September now and the suns light is changing somewhat. The leaves are starting to turn a little here and the farmers markets are starting to sell the root vegetable and squash variety produce. It won't be long now before things start to change from what we know to be summer, to autumn. I do love the shadows, and light that this season brings. As a painter, its the best. I get to use more of a full palette of colors with a more dynamic application of paint.

This painting is the first of my "Post Summer Season" series. More to come I'm sure. Its just a matter of time, and season.

Between the Essence and the Scent: Art is Like That....

Between the Essence and the Scent: Art is Like That....: "Russ Potak: Harbor Fishing Boats... While perusing my FaceBook page this morning, I saw a post by Russ Potak and felt the need to share..."

Between the Essence and the Scent: "I don't care about things....I care about LIFE" M...

Between the Essence and the Scent: "I don't care about things....I care about LIFE" M...: "POTAK: STORMY DAY... Art is one of those things that is talked about, argued about, fought over, cried for, died for, and has been the ca..."

The title of this painting is Sailing Down East

The title of this blog is

MONET BY THE LILLY PADS

Its been really busy. Aside from the usual spring clean up and chores that mount into a monument if they are not taken care of promptly, my studio work and on line galleries are keeping me busy, not to mention outdoor shows. Now I've got to cut out a little time for some work on the easel. People always wonder if I'm out in the surroundings of nature painting by a pond of geese or something. Well, not really, .. here's why. Summer is crazy. Shows, fairs, festivals. online sales, shipping, packing, marketing, site maintenance, and the list goes on. Winter is actually studio time. Summer, oh how I wish, but the reality is, thats its time to put your nose to the grindstone, your cards on the table, and go for broke. Sometimes I envy people who can do art for a hobby. Its sounds relaxing. Maybe after autumn sets in, I will find that pond of geese and just paint like Monet by the lilly pads.