Years, no decades ago, lol! I used to read lots of bio stuff ‘bout the impressionists. One detail I remember about artists working (painting) during times of political stress was of Renoir. I don’t remember the book, but with sieges by both the Prussians and French Army at differing times upon Paris, there apparently were numerous instances. In this one I read decades ago, Renoir, who lived in the tenement houses where the Tuileries are now, would sneak out of Paris through the barricades to paint in the surrounding forest. Being a friendly man, a good man, he’d made many friends, and both the defenders and the attackers recognized him as a friend and allowed him passage!

Now evidently this wasn’t always the case. In searching for where I read the above account, I came across this one – https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/02/24/renoir/ – where, painting in the forest, Renoir was accused of being a spy of troop movements in the forest, and taken to a nearby town to be shot. There, he was recognized by someone who himself had been saved once by Renoir. I’d never heard or read that story, but it’s pretty fascinating! 😊

So what’s this to do with my to-me-overworked watercolor above?

Painted during the stress of our recent crisis.

Politics gone bad 😏

Like the expressionists in Nazi Germany. Or Renoir during the siege of Paris. Only thankfully not nearly as dire as those events. And as long as we stay vigilant for our democracy, should never ever be.

I did get to re-work a few bits yesterday, and I like this a lot better ☺️

I added some violet top of the green top of the bridge, refocused parts of the top of that bridge, softened a few edges, and added a few highlight.

My use of white is via gouache. I felt kinda guilt ’bout it til I read that John Singer Sargent used white extensively on his watercolors! Thank goodness 😊

The above Google search has lots of good info, and I especially found this review of Sargent’s exhibit at the MFA Boston (from a few years back) by Marc Taro Holmes particularly helpful and detailed, with lots of sample images —
https://citizensketcher.com/top-posts/jss-watercolor/

My detail shot of my re-worked watercolor immediate above seems to bring across what I often try to do, or end up doing, in almost all my work, from oil to acrylic to watercolor – include a mix of wash like spreads of color and texture.

Finding that right mix of the two, washes (or semblance of) and texture, are what I enjoy doing most when I paint, regardless of medium.

This then tends to create an abstraction into the work.

It is then, when I can then keep ‘ mix my abstract compulsions with something identifiable, that I feel my most satisfied.

Seems easy enough, but I almost nearly always find it a struggle, lol!

I’m either really not very good at this (distinct possibility many days 😏), or don’t know when to quit soon enough 😯, or just plain get lost in exploring 😊

I’m guessing it’s itself a mix of all three in varying degrees on varying days in varying works.

That should cover me ❤️

Take care everyone, stay healthy and happy and free!

Adan

Twitter / Instagram / FB @FelipeAdanLerma
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2YpgyUf
Fine Art America (FAA) – https://felipeadan-lerma.pixels.com/

Direct link to the image in above tweet at Fine Art America –
https://felipeadan-lerma.pixels.com/featured/monets-garden-april-rain-in-giverny-digital-felipe-adan-lerma.html

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My general Google search for Renoir and the siege of Paris –
https://www.google.com/search?q=renoir+during+the+seige+of+Paris&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

— Direct link to blog post in tweet above 😊
https://felipeadanlerma.com/2019/11/03/adans-movie-reviews-renoir-via-prime-video/

Serial Painting, my Google search

My Related Amazon Affiliate Search Products
https://www.amazon.com/shop/felipeadanlerma

My Amazon search for Renoir (books, videos, wall art) –
https://amzn.to/38mELTm

My Amazon search for Impressionsim –
https://amzn.to/3nitGHg

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My Related Posts Here On My Blog

My Latest Posts On My Website!

• The Old American Artist Twitter Excerpt Series, Number III.19.3January 27, 2021
  “When quiet found a moment to be heard, their breaths warmed the scent of salt and moisture on their hands and thighs.”
• January 26, 2021 – When Creativity and Chores Collide, lol!January 26, 2021
  Well, it’s past 5pm, didn’t get to paint, but sure got more than a couple of handfuls of chores done, plus, a little touch of art.
• The Old American Artist Twitter Excerpt Series, Number III.19.2January 26, 2021
  “Arturo spread their warm worn blanket, thin but protecting, alongside the fold-out windbreak meant for the winds in winter.”
• January 25, 2021 – New Watercolor Upload to Fine Art America, Magenta MountainJanuary 25, 2021
  Magenta Mountain In a sign this is as good a rendition to other folks as to myself, I received two comments on Fine Art America within the hour of its posting!
• The Old American Artist Twitter Excerpt Series, Number III.19.1January 25, 2021
  “At the city’s boundary wall, they stopped, looked back at the lights of the hotel, held each other briefly with tenderness….”
• January 24, 2021 – Update on My “The Old American Artist Twitter Excerpt Series”, It’s Nearing It’s Initial Run!January 24, 2021
  My excerpt series from my novella, The Old American Artist, is nearing the end of its initial run!
• January 23, 2021 – Dr Fauci’s Update on Covid-19 Vaccines, There is Much HopeJanuary 23, 2021
  The information is relatively basic, but immensely clarifying and reassuring, at least to my wife and I. We’re in our 70s, still haven’t been able to receive vaccinations, and this type of information is crucial in keeping us upbeat and hopeful, committed to continue eating and living healthy as we can ❤️

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Thanks again, everyone! 😊

Adan

Twitter / Instagram / FB @FelipeAdanLerma
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2YpgyUf
Fine Art America (FAA) – https://felipeadan-lerma.pixels.com/