4 Beginnings to the Same Painting Subject

I love teaching. The experience stretches me to think in different ways. Last week, I wanted to show my new students how the background color of a painting can change the appearance of the end product. Thought that it would be fun to share it here.

First, I want to tell you what inspired these paintings. In December, I was able to visit Panama. My father lived in Panama during WWII, so it is a place that I have wanted to visit for decades. I like to walk in places that I can imagine he did. I was not disappointed because the lush landscape was beautiful.

One morning before sunrise, I roused myself from bed to attempt to see some of the exotic birds in the Gamboa Rainforest area. With flashlight in hand, and looking out for snakes, I ventured out. One particular tree seemed to be the place to go. There was a cacophony of noise coming from the branches, which was a clue to me that some good bird action must be going on there. While standing quietly, looking into that particular tree, I turned around to see the sun beginning to rise behind me. Both scenes took my breath away. The noise I was hearing in the tree was being made by a multitude of birds, while what was at my back was a magnificent rising sun. Magic!!

Making these paintings helped me relive that magic. Hope you enjoy them too.

This was the first of the paintings that I did of this scene. I used a green background to start.
"Panama Skies #1," 6 x 4 inches, Pastel, ©Lynn Goldstein