Sometimes progress and the process go in different directions. Sometimes they are at the very opposite ends of the spectrum. Which is hard when one expects the process to yield progress.

My usual process is walking, exploring, taking photos, and finding an image I can’t wait to paint. I then race to my studio and get it down onto a surface before it can escape my brain.

This image was going to be a challenge, but I was ready to lean into these big puffy dramatic clouds.

I started with the base layer, blocking the image and the colors as I usually would.

The main difference in my process from this step forward was working this large and using three panels to make one image.

It didn’t go exactly as planned, but I was still excited to keep moving forward. Another change to my process, as the image was so big, I couldn’t get far enough away from it to get a good perspective. So I ended up hanging the panels up and working with them upright vs. flat on the bench. I made my step count for the day, walking back and forth to and from the wall with a paintbrush in hand.

The deviation from my process tested me, but how else does one grow and stretch their wings if not for some self-imposed challenges and roadblocks.

This painting is done, but it is currently waiting to be hung in the gallery this week. I’ll post a photo of the finished art work from the gallery next week.