Slow Shifting

work in progress, 15 x 22", VClaff 2013 

I'm quiet today... as the cold stillness settles into the forest, the last of the golden 

leaves spiraling to the white-dusted ground. In the studio, the paintings glow 

with a deeper yellow-orange, as I attempt to capture the extraordinary luminosity 

of late October and early November. I imagine soon there will be a shift in the work in 

response to the slowly transforming woodlands. 

work in progress, 15 x 22", VClaff 2013

"October Tree", watercolor, 10x 8", VClaff 2013

Looking at the pinboard, I see the seasons shifting from winter to spring, to summer 

to fall. 

Things get rather chaotic on the worktable when I'm painting. 

Below is the completed "Beechwood" which I posted a photo of before 

 in process here in case you're interested in seeing how things develop. 

"Beechwood", watercolor, 15"x22", VClaff 2013

The painting below, along with a number of other small watercolors, are now 

listed in my Etsy Shop. The galleries I work with don't seen interested in smaller 

works these days, so I am able to offer the small work at very affordable prices. 

A number of people have asked about purchasing work over the last few months, 

but were on limited budgets. I really wanted to create a body of smaller works

that many more people could afford. Take a peek HERE at my shop. Or find 

the Etsy showcase down below there in the sidebar and follow the link!

"October Sky", watercolor, 8" x 11", VClaff 2013

Pasha is really showing his elder years with this season's cold temperatures. He is 

in and out of the studio and on top of the gas heater for a warm-up when inside. 

I've been feeling intense grief now and again as this little cat-love-of-my-life is 

changing. He may decide he might like to follow my mother to the other side soon. 

Its a lot of grief to stack on top of the other, and sometimes my heart just breaks. 

I'll leave you with images of my walks and wanders - the forest 

of my inspiration and the most spectacular November skies. 

A Good Day for a Giveaway!

The day is fading from sunshine to overcast, but the 

rusty beech trees keep the forest aglow even without the sun.

It is a good day for a giveaway! 

I used a random number generator, 

instead of a hat,

and the winner of the 

small watercolor is: 

Caterina Giglio 

of La Dolce Vita 

So, Cat, email me at valerianna at verizon dot net and

let me know where to send your painting!

And, on a final note, its looking a lot like this around here:

I finished stacking wood yesterday (though with another cord I would 

feel better about my stash) which means that I have a day open for the studio. 

I'll ignore the piles and piles of leaves that need to be moved for now, 'cause 

the oak leaves are still hanging on... and go dream with paint and brush 

and some magical music to set the scene. And maybe I'll convince 

Pasha to leave his fireside rug to join me 

in the studio... 

well, its a big maybe. 

A Glorioius Glow in the Forest

"Forest Glow", watercolor, 15" x 22", VClaff 2013

The turning beech leaves infuse the forest with the most astounding golden 

glow. I can hardly contain myself as I wander in the forest, gasping at every turn... 

the lines from a song running around inside me as I overflow with joy at the 

miraculous color. How can I keep from singing? In the studio, I attempt to capture 

something of the color and feeling of this autumnal magnificence. 

"Forest Glow 2", watercolor, 15" x 22", VClaff 2013

October completes another year of life for me, as yesterday was my 50th birthday, 
and also a year since my mother's death on the 16th. As I deepen into myself, 
I feel the completion of an intense cycle. A few months after my mother's death, 
my work shifted from the expansive ridge top paintings, to the deep mystery of the 
forest. The richness of this shift for me is profound, and continues to offer 
endless inspiration and possibilities to explore in paint here amongst the trees.

The washes below become the following two paintings. 

"Beechwood", watercolor - in process, 15" x 22", VClaff 2013

"Beechwood in Autumn", watercolor, 15" x 22", VClaff 2013

I continue to explore with small studies, 

a process I find extremely useful in developing this work. 

"Autumnal Forest", small watercolor,  VClaff 2013

"Three Trees on a Hummock", small watercolor, VClaff 2013

Clearly the colors of the autumn forest have infused my work, 

and the rusting beech trees have consumed the house. 

(there really IS a house in there)

Mystery is not far from the door... 

yesterday I turned and looked out the back door of the studio 

to see a tree-spirit peering back at me. Do you see him in the 

base of the hemlock tree?

Last but not least, in honor of all that I am grateful for, 

I want to give away this very small watercolor. 

Please leave a comment if you would like 

to win this wee, autumnal painting. 

I'll put your name in a bowl, and announce 

the winner next Saturday, October 26.

Oh, and you might want to know that RavenWood Forest has a

 Facebook page where my updates are slightly more regular. 

Find it here.