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.

Grand Slam - Angel Pagan

 

A very generous artist in a nearby community decided to run a fund-raiser to benefit the local Little League teams. He secured the cooperation of 7 Treasure Coast Art Leagues and then approached the NY Mets baseball team for official photos. Artists chose from the photos and proceeded to paint large renditions of Mets players. Their time and talent along with framing costs were donated for this worthwhile cause. Almost 50 paintings were completed and auctioned off to raise money. Through the joint cooperation of the Mets management and the town of Port St. Lucies, a sizeable check was donated to the Local Little Leagues. This is my painting of Angel Pagan.

Awaiting Baby Bunting

 

This is a different version of my painting of Painted Bunting birds. This time I added lots of leaves using a paper doily. I placed the doily on the paper and painted thru the holes to create some interesting leaf shapes. Then I completely surrounded the nest and birds with a leafy canopy to create a feeling of protection. The birds are patiently awaiting their baby to hatch out of the egg. The male seems to be enjoying a short rest before he heads off for more food. Mom sit quietly, keeping her baby warm and safe.

Sunny Resting Spot

 

This is a perfect example of Mediterranean architecture. Steps, stones, ancient doorways, wrought iron trim....it all adds up to a quiet spot in a small alleyway. On the way to where? Who knows? It could be a pass thru to the town plaza, the entrance to a monastery, or perhaps even someone's home. I added the cat because it just looked like the perfect spot to catch a 'catnap'.

Sand and Shadows

 

This is the first lesson I gave at a new location, a senior living complex located in Stuart FL. The students were fairly new at doing watercolors. We imprinted the sand fence using short pieces of matboard that we trimmed as we went along. This made it easier to gain perspective and add depth as the fence diminished in size toward the water. The shadows were added the same way. Adding sea grasses, gulls, water and shadows helped to give this painting definition. Everyone did a great job and were pleased with the results.

Plein Air on the South Rim

 

It was truly an impressive experience to sit on the ground at the Grand Canyon and have the opportunity to paint plein air. Wow is all I can say. So majestic, so quiet, so inspiring.........just to view this magnificent natural wonder fills one with awe. Trying to capture the striated rock that lines the canyons top to bottom was challenging. It was difficult and while I enjoyed having this chance to paint, I was also the quintessential frustrated artist! Returning home I took a second look at what I had painted and decided it just needed definition. Using a pen I outlined the many variations in color and this is the result.

Nesting Time

 

It pleases me to paint small birds. These two are Painted Buntings. The composition came from a desire to marry the colors in the birds to the foliage for a cohesive look. I have an East Palatka Holly tree in my yard, planted to attract birds to my property. This time of year the tree fills with red berries and is quite attractive.....to me and to the birds. This foliage added the right touch along with the nest and the suggestion of future baby birds hatching. The proud parents happily await the big day.

Watercolor 12 x 16
Contact sferina222@yahoo.com

Back in the Day

 

It brings so many memories back to me, painting this old bicycle. The plain fact is, I still have my old bicycle. It is now over 25 years old and I have more than 5,000 miles on the odometer. I tried purchasing a new bike when we moved to Florida but I just didn't like how I sat. Wasn't comfortble. Got the old one refurbished instead and I happily ride it around, doing about 5 miles at a time. The painting is of an old cottage at Edenlawn in Jensen Beach and yes, the rusty old bike was leaning against the tree like it had been there for many moons!

Not for sale