Under the Sea

My grandson Evan is 5 years old and I haven't presented him with a painting yet.  He is a handsome, sweet-natured boy that prefers quiet play, using the ipad or computer, playing games and watching movies.  I've been debating what theme would be a pleasing one for his special painting.  This is a possiblity.  First I put down a wash of blue paint, tilted the paper and let it run, giving it a watery feeling.  Then bright colors were added at the bottom with a generous sprinkling of sea salt to create coral.  Underwater plants were immediately added using a rich mix of paint so the spreading was kept to a minimum.  I created a stencil of fish shapes by laboriously cutting them out of stencil material.  When the paint dried, the fish shapes were first washed out and then painted back in with detail.  I'm hoping Evan likes it!
PS  Evan was shown a digital image of this painting and when asked if he wanted it for his room, the answer was:  Nah, I want a monkey!

Spring Flowers

I've found a great way to utilize that cardboard colored stretchy paper that is used for packing material.  The vase in this painting is an imprint created on white watercolor paper that was simply cut from this packing material, strategically placed and sprayed with blue watercolor paint.  My intention was to produce a container but I am amazed at how lovely it turned out!  Pastel colors for the imprint materials on the upper half of the paper helped to give this painting a fresh, springlike feeling.....a theme I followed to the finish.

Imprint Floral

This is an example of a painting that is started by creating imprints on watercolor paper with various items.  Usually things are placed in a random manner but for this one I decided to carefully place some string to create a container on the lower half of the paper.  The upper half had some twigs, raffia, string, ribbon and gauze strewn around the paper before being sprayed with several watercolor paints.  The plan was for a floral but I have to admit I struggled with the right side of the painting.  There were two straight lines of white paper with hard edges that just didn't work!  it took some deep digging into my creativity to find an appealing way to finish this painting.

Gunda's Gift

Sometimes the nicest things happen, things you don't expect.  One of my students, Gunda, a resident of Germany has been fortunate enough in the past to spend several winter months here in Florida every year.  She recently sold her home here in the US and doesn't know when she will be able to return, if ever.  Gunda arrived at class with a huge bouquet of flowers for me as a thank you.  She couldn't stay, had just stopped by to say good-bye.  Fortuitiously our lesson that day was to paint flowers on yupo paper.  I made a quick decision to paint this lovely bouquet during class.  My intention was to present the painting to Gunda as a going away gift, a reminder of our class.  She was delighted and told me she plans on hanging it in her bedroom in Germany.  This was a very pleasing experience.

Bright Bouquet

This painting was creating by throwing droplets of water onto dry paper. Then splashes of fresh paint are thrown, dropped and sprinkled, mostly onto to the top half of the paper.  I am careful to avoid colors that would produce browns or 'mud' when they intermingle.  I used opera, yellow, orange and alizarin crimson to start this painting.  Next I formed a container for these droplets, soon to become flowers.  A background is painted in,  being careful to leave white paper around the drops to create shapes of flowers.  Greens for leaves, spikey stems and darks for values are added.  The finish is a very fresh looking painting that is one-of-a-kind.

Taking Root

Another experiment in creating trees on a background of color.  I was inspired to paint this piece because of my daughter's move across the country to Washington state.  While I was sad to have her so far from us, I was glad that she would be joining her brother and sister and their families. (What IS it about Washington state that has drawn 3 of my children there?)  My wish is that they settle into their new location and grow roots, be happy there.

Autumn, from the Seasons Series

This is the very first of my "Tree Series" paintings.  The technique is unusual but addictive.  I viewed it on an art DVD and decided to give it a try.  Of course I had no idea how it would come out but I used my latest advice to myself:  "Paint until you love it".  I read these words in an art book and they resonated with me.  This painting just called for some autumn leaves to be sponged on and shading to be added to the trees.
The sun peeking through the trees adds to the appeal.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This painting evolved from my having surgery on my finger necessitating my having to be quiet for a day or so.  I watched an art DVD and learned a watercolor technique to create trees in a very free fashion.  Being a fan of the unexpected I am now hooked on using this method and have done a series of the seasons and beyond.  You never know what's going to happen but I can tell you it all starts with wet paper and lots of fresh paint.
When the paint dries, the results are studied to find a pleasing way to finish the artwork.

Juicy Fruits

This painting was started 3 years ago.  I used tape and broke up the images of the fruit into rectangular blocks so they has a somewhat pixelated appearance.  This was a new technique I was trying but somehow the background got muddied.  I first tried large blocks of multi colors which didn't work. Then I painted over the blocks with Prussian Blue to try and save this piece of art in some sort of disguise.  That didn't work. One day I saw scrapbooking paper at the local craft store and got the idea to collage it over the background.  I then added a mini photo of the whole painting on the wall, outlining it in balsa wood for a frame.  I saved it!  It is hanging in my kitchen now, against all odds!

Ricepaper Rose

It's fun to try painting on different papers.  This time it is ricepaper and the results are so different from painting on regular watercolor paper.  The paint soaks in and dries very light so it requires multiple layers of paint to get some decent values.  When living on Long Island NY my passion was growing roses, being a member of the local Rose Society and entering annual competitions.  The last rose show before I moved to Florida I won several 'best of show' ribbons for my entries.  It was very pleasing because of the all the hard work it takes to grow show roses.  I have many photos of roses and even grow some here on my property in Florida.  Painting roses has replaced growing them.

Jupiter Lighthouse

I give instruction in watercolor painting at a Senior Living Community.  This is a painting we did together using an easy technique to ensure that everyone had a 'straight' lighthouse.  I cut out a silhouette of a lighthouse from cardstock and the class used it to trace the perfect shape for their painting.  Everyone then added water, foliage, a bit of land and maybe a boat or dock, whatever they felt like.  I have to say that all the paintings came out quite nice.  For my reference I used a photo I snapped from across the water while dining in a favorite restaurant.

Cafe Etoile

I love painting scenes from France and thisonein articular is a favorite.  I've done several versions, some with people, dogs, wine bottle, glasses, coffee cups etc. but the whimical feel of this outdoor scene continues to appeal to me.  The crisp black and white awning makes this one stand out along with the toned background, making everything pop.  Don't you just want to sit down and while away some time in this cozy place?  I know I do!

Silhouettes

When I first created this painting it was just ok.  Very pale and rather bland with white sails and green palms.  One day I took a look at it and decided to add some punch.  I did this by making the sailboats and palms very dark, almost black.  There is a bit of green mixed in the black to make the palms realistic.  The painting took on a whole new dimension and deserved to be framed at this point.

Seafire

This is one of my favorite ways to create a painting.  The paper is wet completely before pleasing colors are added.  Not much of a plan but mostly the idea to make the colors mix and mingle and then see what happens.  Try to imagine this painting upside down.  I thought to put sunset colors at the top and then water colors at the bottom.  When I studied the dried results I decided that I liked it better when it was reversed.
I decided to go with the fiery seas and cool skies, added a sailboat to complete it.

I Love Paris

This is my impression of a scene looking at the Eiffel Tower from across the Seine River.
My son and his wife lived in Paris for almost 5 years so of course we visited as much as possible.
The 'city of lights' is a truly engaging place, one that leaves a lasting impression of old world beauty including many  impressive monuments, bridges, churches and buildings.  Add to that the wonder of eating a fresh croissant with homemade raspberry jam coupled with rich coffee that has real cream added.......gourmet French foods, delicious wines, cheeses and crunchy breads and much more.  Well you can easily understand how everyone is enamoured with Paris.

Autumn on the River

This is one of those paintings that practically painted itself.  I started out splashing the paper with small dots of masking fluid.  Then accidentally I smeared the dots and they became lines.  Not knowing what was going to happen I let the masking fluid dry figuring something would speak to me.  Many times I've heard "Watercolor, let the medium do it.  Well, not having a choice in this case,  I wet the paper and put down complementary colors letting them flow together a bit.  When dry it seemed as if I had autumn leaves.  I added the tree trunks, saw the possibility of creating a river so added blue water.  Voila.....a finished original!

Size 6 x 8 inches

Sophia's Giraffe

In a departure from the colors of nature I painted this pink giraffe for my granddaughter Sophia's room.  She is a sweet, lively one year old who has a lovely room that is fit for a Princess.  Since giraffes happen to be my favorite animal this was a treat to do.  I feel that giraffes are elegant, majestic and appealing.  My son Chris just told me that the morning routine is for Sophia to be picked up from her crib and make a stop at the giraffe painting to just take a look.  Sure warms this grandmother's heart and then some!

Down by the Riverside

 

This painting is done on yupo paper.  This is synthetic paper that has a slick surface and does not absorb water.  The results are unpredictable because the paint moves around in an uninhibited way.  The artist has little or no control over what happens.  The flip side is that sometimes the most amazing things happen, things that you couldn't paint with a brush if you tried!  I was looking for a peaceful river scene with palms and a sandy beach.  When I studied the painting I saw a lfigure at the base of one of the palms.  I decided to emphasize this shape by creating a young girl and gave her a book to complete my  painting.

Sunshine on My Shoulders

  

This  painting was done with the techniques I learned during a 3 day workshop with Don Andrews.  He is quite famous and a very successful watercolorist.  He gave 100% of himself to the class, doing a demonstration three times a day!   It was a lot to absort but so worthwhile.  We were shown how to put figures in our landscapes which is not easy.  Learning the proportion of the human body is the first step to successfully painting a figure.  Then the special use of color, shading along with keeping the white of the paper all add to the ability to create a 'figure in landscape'. 

Late Summer Roses

 

I've been trying to perfect a technique that stretches my ability quite a bit. The idea is to not draw anything, no pencil sketch first, but just go ahead and paint the image without guidelines. I really don't know where this came from but I have to say it is challenging and I enjoy it. Using a photo from my daughter Tracy's garden and a blank piece of watercolor paper I proceeded to create this painting. It's a good feeling to just work eye to hand. I'm happy with the end results so I'll continue to pursue this goal.

Hearts and Flowers

 

This painting is a departure from my usual calm, somewhat tame watercolors. It is comprised of inks, gels, gesso and acrylic paint, still considered watermedia but giving vastly different results. There is no plan, no drawing. I just squirt, spray, pour. Then I use palette knives to texturize and create shapes. Afterwards I search for meaning. Sometimes these 'starts' hang in my studio for weeks before I get some inspiration and forge ahead. The ending is a truly unique piece. I think you'll agree!

Ring of Fire

 

This watercolor painted itself. I was sitting outside on the lanai, playing with paint, sipping a glass of wine and not paying attention to what was happening on the paper. Being surrounding by my family who were visiting from Washington state was far more important. My three granddaughters, who I call Cookie, Cupcake and Candy, were also painting which is something we always try to do when we're togther. It's enjoyable for me to see their lovely artwork and realize they must have creativity in their genes. A few days later I added the silhouette of a sailboat to complete this painting.

Delight

 

I truly love to 'throw water', add splashes of paint and work to create a painting. The learning curve includes staying away from colors that make mud, for example adding green to reds, pinks, and oranges. For the flowers I spatter either bright warm colors or vivid cool colors, then wait for the paint to dry. Studying what has 'happened' I look for shapes that I can work into flowers. Adding varied greens for stems and leaves brings the composition together. The final step is to see if some spiky dark branches will compliment the painting.

Seashore

 

Who doesn't enjoy the crisp feeling of the blue sea and white sands punctuated by waving grasses on the dunes, cries from the gulls and the sound of crashing waves? The feeling you get when you first round a dune and see the water? That is what I wanted to convey in this simple beach scene.

Sailing

 

I painted this scene completely from my imagination after spending the day sight-seeing in St. Petersburg, Florida. We drove across the state for a long weekend, a mini vacation. There was lots to see and do including a busy art sale with vendors from all over, an active pier scene and a thriving food market with lots of interesting offerings and music. We ended the day walking along the beautiful waterfront. I tried to capture the feel of the local harbor which is fronted by a beautiful park.