Painting in ways that celebrate the spirit of Spring

by Karen Lynn Ingalls

Happy Spring! While the mustard flowers may be past their prime, the California poppies are still blooming, and things may finally be looking up for the world. Spring affects us all — are you seeing it reflected in your artwork in any way?

Working title: "Expressionist Landscape" • 11" x 14" • Acrylics on canvas • © Karen Lynn Ingalls

I’ve been creating demonstration paintings, as I’ve shared, and making my time lapse demonstration videos, of subjects including the California poppies. They felt so timely and appropriate! I still have mustard photos ready for more flower paintings later, and today I was photographing more poppies. ​

But in the last couple of weeks I’ve been creating different kinds of paintings, to exemplify different approaches to abstract landscape painting. It's all for my Abstract Landscape Painting online class, to add to the demonstration paintings I'd already done. More flower paintings will come, just not quite yet, after all!

"Coastal Magic" (title courtesy of Victoria Day) • 11" x 14" • Acrylics on canvas • © Karen Lynn Ingalls

One of the things I love about teaching is that I can be all over the place in my painting, in ways that might be considered inconsistent if I were focused on working on a body of work for a show. 

It lets me be playful in new ways, because I’m demonstrating things I may not usually do. It allows me to push my boundaries and continually learn and expand my creative practice. And it is important for any creative person to keep learning, keep exploring, keep expanding, keep blossoming (oh, how spring-appropriate!).

Simple Seascape • 11" x 14" • Acrylics on canvas • © Karen Lynn Ingalls

Have you noticed if spring is affecting your artwork? Is it getting brighter? Lighter? More colorful? Are new subjects calling to you? Are you feeling more playful about it? It’s all good! As more light comes onto our side of the planet, and we head towards warmer weather, you can give yourself permission to take your art wherever your inspiration may lead you. You never know what you may discover….

And, in the meantime, keep blooming!