Thank you, Caroline! Fixated images don’t often translate well, it’s better to go with the flow – especially if you want to create without any reference photos. This blog post might interest you: http://www.peonyandparakeet.com/paint-mental-images/

Thank you, Julie! There will be some more Italy-themed posts in the near future!

Thank you, Paula!

I love the statement about not being apologetic, that I believe is why I’m disappointed because I’m much too worried about the reaction from other’s before I complete it.

Maria, thank you! I contemplated with the background a lot but ended up painting an atmosphere where she looks like leaving the scene and moving forward instead of entering it. Your impression of sunset is just that!

Thank you for your interest, Lorraine!

I am preparing a technique-focused class for the fall that takes the most exciting parts of the process. It teaches you how to combine the essentials of the techniques with free expression. Stay tuned!

I have written a blog post about this subject:
http://www.peonyandparakeet.com/using-reference-images/

In Strawberry Madonna, I have used reference images in the same philosophy than what you presented. I started with creating a reference image in Photoshop, but I have interpreted it very loosely with many intuitive elements. For fully abstract paintings, I rarely use reference images or then they are a series of separate images that I use gradually.

Using reference images or not, several along the process, or one at the beginning – I am coaching this at The Exploring Artist (Part 3) http://www.peonyandparakeet.com/exploring-artist/

Thanks so much, Leigh-Ann!

Thanks, Cheryl, have fun!

Sounds wonderful, Cindy!