I know it is 4 years too late, but I wanted to tell you how much I loved your work.  It is inspiring, and besides that is it graceful and contains elements which has something to offer all types of viewers. 

I hope your show did well, better than my typing and I remain Paul Czubay,  at pczsf@pacbell.net

Hi Bob,

Yes, you are right!  I usually paint from 9:30 - 12:30.  The light doesn't change so much then.  I usually lock in the shadows or anything else that may change first so the changing light doesn't bother me much.  If you have to travel far, then I do a painting in the afternoon as well and work until about 3:00.  The impressionists changed paintings on location about every 2 hours, some were sticklers and wanted a new painting every 20 minutes!!

The attached painting was done in two 3 hour sessions, but that was unusual.  I just got in the zone and looked up and it was time to go home and the whole painting was almost completed.  The second visit was just to work on the foreground and refine it a bit.



Usually it takes me 12 to 15 hours to finish a painting.  I like working from 22 x 28 to 24 x 36.  I have worked as large as 30 x 40, but didn't finish it because the Wetlands were closed for hunting season until Febrary!  One of the hazards of not finishing on one session!

Did I answer the question?
Brenda

Thanks Bob! That's just the sort of response that is dear to an artist's heart!  One of my statements about my artwork is that I would like the viewer to feel that they can walk into the painting and see the world through my eyes!  Glad you enjoy the work.

To answer your question:  I do all of my landscapes en plein air from blank canvas to completion.  It has a different feel from most plein air work because it is done in layers, wet over dry.  The time it takes to finish creates an intimacy with the location and helps to create an authentic sence of place that hopefully can be experienced.  Also, I am an intuitive painter and I can't really paint what I don't know well.  Spending time in front of a scene helps me to experience it in a timeless way and intuitively relate it in paint.   

That being said, I also paint alla prima when I travel, but am never as satisfied with them.  I have to paint small,  loose the darks and can't quite get those clean lights.  I can see the advantages, but miss the intimacy.

Painting is all about peace, serenity and connection for me.  I just want to share that.

Thanks for your kind words.

Brenda

Hi Bob,

Thanks for askin   Ocala wasn't that great for sales, although I did win a patron award there.  I love art patrons!  Deland was better for sales, and folks really liked the work.  Maybe because it was closer and they could relate better to the locations?

Brenda

The Plein Air Oil Paintings of artist
Brenda Hofreiter
will be exhibited at the
Ocala Art Festival
Booth #97

Saturday, October 25  from 9 - 5
Sunday, October 26 from 10 - 5

Marion County Government Complex
(SE 25th Avenue and SE 4 Street,)
in Ocala, FL

Come out, say Hi, and see my new paintings!
"Sandhill Cranes" - 22 x 28 - oil on Canvas

Thanks to you all for your comments and kind words.

Brenda

Congratulations Brenda, what a beautiful painting.