Wildflowers

 

This unusual abstract was painted with my eye on wildflowers. I picked them on the Columbia River in a park which has a walkway along the water. Using yupo paper I was unable to control what the paint did. I decided to just 'let it happen' and this is the lovely finish.

Not for sale

Bright Eyes

 

I was inspired to do this painting by a prize-winning photo in a British Photography magazine. The bunny looked so alert and inquisitive and was beautifully situated in a bower of flowers. I tried to capture the vivid energy and brilliant essence emanted by this small creature in repose.

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Family Heirlooms

 

Family Heirlooms was developed from a combination of treasures dear to me - my favorite bone china coffee cup, the vase made by my daughter Tracy in high school, the hydrangeas first grown by my grandmother in Brooklyn NY, transplanted to my childhood home in Valley Stream NY and again moved to the home where I raised my children in Ronkonmoma NY. They now grow beautifully at my dauther Heather's home in Sturbridge MA. The yellow roses are from my prize-winning garden and are called Golden Showers. The chairs are from our oak kitchen set where our family of seven ate their meals.

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Sublime

 

This is a painting of Guitar Willie. I saw his photo in a newspaper. He looked so absolutely contented, strumming him guitar with a ciggie hanging from his mouth. It was the first time I ever painted someone's face but his whole emotional being called to being captured. I titled it "Sublime" and it fits.

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Misty Dawn

 

This was painted during a workshop I took with Steve Rogers. He believes in painting from dark to light, which is the opposite of what watercolorists usually advise. I learned several valuable tips as the workshop progressed. One was to change the color of an object as you fill it in by adding yellow ocher or raw umber. Another was to place warm colors against cool therby creating interest, a third lesson was to purposely include warm colors when doing a marine painting. The best was how to successfully paint reflections in water. Very worthwhile experience.

Watercolor 15x22 $350
contact sferina222@yahoo.com

Happy Hour

 

Learning how to paint a glass filled with red wine is a multi-step procedure. You have to study all the highlights reflected on both the glass and the liquid. Then it's time to carefully convey the image you're seeing on paper. If done right it works. The green glass bottle is easier because it appears empty. Reflections are angular on glass. It is important capture them closely to convince the viewer they are looking at glass. Time for cheese anyone?

Watercolor 5x8 $45
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What a Pair!

 

Pineapples are the symbol of hospitality. Ship captains, when returning to port, used to put a fresh one on their fencepost to invite the neighbors to share in his Bounty. About a hundred years ago pineapples were grown locally and shipped throughout the United States via water routes. Blight took care of that and the industry died off. They are fun to paint, especially when paired with a pear.

Watercolor 9x12 $75
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Sweet Violets

 

This was painted a long time ago, when I was a fairly new and rather inexperienced watercolorist. Working full-time left me little free time to devote to painting and perfecting my work. It was fortunate that I was advised to take classes at the Art League of Long Island because I had an excellent instructor, Steve Lampasona. I am paying it forward by teaching the techniques I learned from him to my students now.

Watercolor 11x14 $125
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Two Hot Tomatoes

 

My friend Sally named this painting when she took a photo of me holding it. It was really an apropos title. I painted it as a gift for my childhood friend Pat, to grace her kitchen at her home in Carmel CA. Pat and I hung around together during our entire teenage years. We were quite lively, always having fun and doing exciting things, but definitely remaining on the good side of 'hot'.

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Sunny Day

 

This painting started as a demo for my watercolor class. I asked the students to paint only in black, or paynes grey which is a close second. They enjoyed trying to make the many shades necessary to create values and tonal differences. It was my decision to add color, after the fact. When first shading and then adding color much more depth is achieved.

Watercolor 8x10 $45
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Pair Plus One

 

Pears seem to be an intriguing subject for still lifes. I've seen many different variations of this same topic so decided to bring some pears to my watercolor class. It was a popular choice as everyone was happy to make 'pear paintings'. This watercolor is the result of a quick demo that I did. It's light and airy, warm and sweet.

Watercolor 8x10 $45
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We Are Family

 

I saw a photo of some swans in the newspaper. Since this group seemed to be a family of 7, that is 2 large swans and 5 little cygnets, it reminded me of our family. It was painted and given to a local art auction as a fund raiser for the Hibiscus Children's Shelter. I am a member of the Hibiscus Guild and worked for years on this important and exciting event. Due to the economy we have taken a hiatus but hope to bring it back, better than ever!
The painting was bid on by a friend who has it hanging in her dining room.

Giclee prints available
email sferina222@yahoo.com

Unity Church, Jensen Beach

 

Our church moved to a new location and it was suggested to me that I paint it. It is a charming building, formerly a home, located just across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway (also known as the Indian River) It was an intense project for me because of the perspective involved. It actually does look much like the church. I was pretty upset one day when I passed and saw some yellow paint being applied to the outside walls. My painting depicts a soft bluish green color. Whatever the reason it remains the original color and I'm glad.

Not for Sale

Sunset on the River

 

I found an old postcard in a local consignment shop. This painting is based on the scene depicted on the front of the card. The words "Jensen Beach" were on the flip side so it was obviously printed for visitors or tourists. The funny thing is.........it was printed in Dublin, Ireland! That never ceases to amaze me. I've done several variations of this landscape because it is quite appealing.

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Commissions available

Napa Valley Winery

 

We spent a glorious day leisurely touring wineries in the Napa region. The very air of this beautiful valley is fragrant with lavendar and offers a delicious treat for the senses. Combine this with tastes of different wines, soft sunshine and rolling hills...........a combination hard to beat! Nearing sundown we headed back to San Francisco and hit a huge traffic jam. Immediate end to the blissful feelings. Since I wasn't driving I took out my travel pallette and painted this from scenes viewed during the day. It helped a stressful time pass pleasantly.

Watercolor 5x7 $55
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Dog Day at the Beach

 

One doesn't always go to the beach to swim. Sometimes it's to take a walk at the edge of the surf, sometimes it's to sit and contemplate the water, sometimes to read meanwhile listening to the rhythmic pound of the waves. And sometimes it's to give our dog a treat, a chance to run free, dash in the water and chase a stick or ball. This watercolor tell the story of a young girl and her dog enjoying time at the beach.

Watercolor 16x20 $140
Contact sferina222@yahoo.com

Autumn Majesty

 

Painting trees and foliage is one of the hardest thing to accomplish in watercolor. Many times the different colors used just mix together and make 'mud' This is a term used when the color, freshness and white of the paper is lost.
It is a learned technique to know when to add color so it will diffuse and not muddle together. I love trees. They are strong and stately and make a statement of endurance. This mighty tree looks indestructable and beautiful, arrayed in autumn leaves.

Watercolor 9x12 $110
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Leaf Impression

 

I took a workshop with Norma DeSantis and learned how to make leaf impressions. Yes, I know this might seem a bit like kindergarten stuff. However, never having gone I really enjoy making these creations. Every once in a while I trim both my garden and house plants and then put the cuttings to good use. It's great to see a painting emerge that seems to capture the feeling of 'being alive'!

Watercolor 14x18 $150
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Elliott Museum, Stuart FL

 

This is our local museum, the Elliott. It houses memorabilia from local Indians and early settlers along with an extensive classic car collection. The museum has a gallery for juried shows, special interest exhibits and also space for art classes. Outdoor Art Shows were held on the property for years. It was quite the sight to behold: a double row of white tents filled with paintings, sides flapping in the crisp ocean breezes as potential buyers leisurely strolled around. This building is going to be torn down and replaced so I painted it to preserve it in memory.

Watercolor 18x24 $350
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One Fish

 

I've been painting in watercolor for 10 years and really enjoy it. But of course what artist is satisfied to stick with one medium? This huge fish is one of my first forays into using acrylic paint. I took a workshop last spring designed to open up our creative channels. It was fun to experiment and freely throw down paint, gels, inks and powders and then wonder what would happen. I found this guy lurking there, ready to be enhanced. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish?

Mixed media 22 x 30 $300
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Pink Tie Tulips

 

We have a local organization called the "Pink Tie Friends" that raises money for women with breast cancer who do not have medical insurance. This dedicated group of women, almost all survivors of breast cancer themselves, is very active and extremely successful. They help many women with treatments and medications that otherwise they would unfortunately be unable to have. I painted these tulips for the current President, Debbie.

Not for sale

Waiting for the Guests to Arrive, Lake Como

 

I wanted to combine a festive feeling with a scenic view of Lake Como. I placed the party tent on one side with silhouettes of the host and hostess waiting for the celebration to begin to provide that combination. There is such romance in the air at Lake Como on can't help but feel joyful!

Watercolor 9x 12 $125
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Wildflowers of Riverwalk Park

 

Once again I picked wildflowers along the beautiful Columbia River in Vancouver WA. This has become an annual tradition for me. When I return to our hotel I put them in a glass and prepare to paint. Using yupo paper I prefer to skip the drawing part and just dive in. This year as I began the phone rang. It was an artist I'd just met in Florida who specializes in using yupo paper. How serendipitous! She told me "more paint, less water". I was able to get a clear, crisp rendition this way. It really works!

Watercolor 10 x 14 $80
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Goodbye Sis

 

This painting was developed from a photo taken at my daughter Heather's wedding. Tara, her sister and the matron of honor, is hugging her and conveying good wishes. It stuck me as such an emotional moment, one that I wanted to capture on paper. For me, as a mother, it was wonderful to see such obvious love displayed between my daughters.

Grand Dames

 

Irises are unique and very intriguing to paint. I've done countless versions in various colors but this painting is one of my favorites. These flowers stand in line like on parade, each one vying for attention. Somehow they seem quite regal, don't they?

Watercolor 14 x22, $200
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