Blog

"Color is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment."

                                                      — Claude Monet

This past January, I had the opportunity to visit Monet: The Late Waterscapes at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan.  The exhibition showcased 64 of Claude Monet's later works, including many of his iconic Water Lilies. It featured rare pieces from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, as well as select works from Japanese collections.

Immersing myself in the exhibition, I was captivated by Monet’s use of loose brushstrokes, dappled light, and his signature palette of vibrant pinks, greens, and blues - the Impressionist technique.

Inspired by this experience, I tried to incorporate Monet’s approach into my own painting. Using his techniques and color palette, I aimed to create a scene capturing tranquility and a dreamlike atmosphere.  I used warm, earthy tones of the fountain to contrast with the vivid hues of the pink blossoms.

I really enjoyed creating this piece and am deeply grateful for the inspiration drawn from the great artist’s techniques.

Parkhill Garden, acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12", Artist: Soraya Runckel 

In this painting, I intentionally avoided using clear horizontal lines or linear perspective. Many artists opt to break away from traditional perspective rules to create more unique compositions. This absence of linear perspective can sometimes lend a dreamlike quality to the artwork.

To further enhance depth and visual interest, I employed texture as a key element in the composition.

The step-by-step progression of this painting can be viewed here: https://www.sorayarunckel.com/video/9887

There’s something magical about standing in the middle of a sunflower field in full bloom!

That was me in an Oregon Sunflower field during our hike through the Columbia River Gorge.

I took some photos, but more than that, it was the feeling of being there that stuck with me.

"Oregon Sunflowers" ‐ Acrylic on Panel ‐ size 22" x 28" 

We've heard this a lot: “Paint what you know.”  But for me, "Paint the places you’ve been to" brings more than just visual joy — it holds emotional meaning and lasting memories that inspire future paintings. Be there and feel it!  I found that personal experience is a powerful inspiration.

Later, back in the studio, I looked through my photos. But instead of copying one exactly, I used them as a starting point.  Crop, design, or combine photos to create my own story.  Let your heart lead the way to finish your paintings. It's more fun that way.

I've never had a problem coming up with what to paint. Photographs of my trips and ideas are queued up, more than I have time left to paint.

"Purple Lupines on Hood River Walk", Acrylic on Canvas, size 8" x 16"

You can see the step-by-step progression of the painting here.