Stuart J. Gourlay's Comments

Hi Stu,

It was so nice hearing from you.  I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to respond.  Your paintings this month are just gorgeous.  I feel like I have been to all of those places, especially those on the coast. 

I have not signed on to any workshops since moving to Morro Bay.  I haven't even joined the Morro Bay Art Association...which would be really enjoyable.  Getting together with other artists is always something I have loved doing.  I miss my weekly plein aire water color class down in Santa Monica. 

My life has become more complicated as of late, and I find that painting is a true luxury.  I really wanted to spend that hour each day painting for this workshop, but found that it was difficult, and therefore,  I really only produced one painting that took the whole month.  It took me a week and a half just planning how I wanted to compose it from the photo I took.  I loved the foreground, but not the background; so, I made up the background.  I think that is what took so long, since I really need to see what I draw or paint.  It really was a challenge, and I did learn a great deal.  I am just happy that this painting finally is finished...that is unless you could critique it for me.  I have stared at it, walked away from it, turned it upside down, and  looked at it in the mirror.  It is done at least for now, and I will post it this evening. 

How are you doing?  It looks as though you are really enjoying your painting excursions.  I noticed that you now have a blog.  I would love to check it out if you will tell me how to find it.  You are such a wonderful artist that a blog is a great idea.  You do need to share you paintings.   

Thank you again.

Nancy

Hello Stuart. RE your blog: You look so organised !!!  A big thank you for sharing. It is a very nice blog & I hope it is one of many more to come :) 

Hi Stu, just found your new paintings! they are fantastic, i'm just loving your palette especially the buildings. Great body of work!! 

Stu, I've missed seeing your paintings and reading your comments. Hope you will be back soon. 

Thank you Stu,  Alway's felt we were friends, now we've cemented it! very happy to accept:-}

I will look forward very much to seeing you back! enjoy the rest of your holiday and great painting! :-))

Hi Stu, just spotted you on line, not seen you for ages.  Hope all well with you. P :-}}

HAPPY NEW YEAR STU!!!! Hope everything is fine with you!!!! My best wishes for 2014!!!

Hi Stu, just wanted to let you know that I, too, will be back with VAA. Time to dig back and deep to get the science and technical aspects in place.

thanks so much Stu!! though you may not have posted on this subject originally, I knew you'd have the info!! I appreciate your taking the time to respond in such detail...I painted my workshop painting on canvas pad & as it would happen, I like it better than I thought I would & want to preserve it!!

Hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving--I am grateful for your friendship & the generous spirit in which you share so much knowledge!

Thank you for the input on Fleet Street Stu, can't take credit for compositional elements, it was a tutorial exercise but the execution I humbly concede :-)

Thanks Stu for you kind comments and observations. I have a slight penchant towards 'simple' and simplicity. The difficulty is how far do you go before destroying the actual image and then applying graphics to the subject matter. Over the years I have been determined to lead the eye into the painting via good composition and regrettably this is sometimes a big mistake. The fishing boats are an exception as big skies always help!!

Thanks Stu for you encouraging comment. Wish they would all turn out all right!!

Thanks for your nice comment, Stu!  I would post more work but there honestly isn't very much to show at this point. I only picked up a paint brush for the first time in my life last year.  Never had any formal training, never learned to draw, really never even doodled before picking up that first brush.  LOL!  I was told a few times as a child that I had no talent for art so, even though I very much wanted to pursue it, I never did.  At 46 years old, I decided I had nothing to lose and here I am.  Your work is wonderful, Stu!  I'm very excited about the prospect of learning from such accomplished artists as you on this site.