Profusion

 

Once again I used an array of items and some juicy paint to create a start.  I am intrigued by this method and find it is fun to prepare and then face the unknown, the impressions that are formed.  It takes some contemplation, musing over whether it has possibilities to be this or that.  I use chalk to try out shapes because it can be wiped off the paper if necessary.  First I saw the small square vase and decided to wing it and used black acrylic paint to outline it.  Then I noticed the larger container and chose to outline it even though it was not level.  From there I started to see things and kept going, outlining, filling in, using iridescent paints and gel medium to accent certain areas.  It's winner, received 3rd prize in watercolor at a show at the Lighthouse Gallery in Tequesta.

Nature's Symphony

The idea behind the creation of this painting was learned at a demo during one of the local art league meetings.  The artist placed an interesting array of items on paper and then saturated it with color.  When the items were removed there were some unique imprints on the paper.  Well, I did this and then hung it on the wall of my studio, staring at it now and then for a year.  I had no idea how to proceed!  Finally one day I thought I saw a rose and began to develop it using some paint and black outlines.  Eventually I was able to find a way to finish this painting and guess what?  I loved it!  I knew it had that certain captivating 'something' that all us artists want our work to have.  It looked bright, filled with energy and gave off a feeling of sound combined with nature, earning the title "Nature's Symphony".

Wildflowers of Florida

There is an event going on this year, 2013, called Viva 500 which celebrates the landing of Ponce De Leon in Florida 500 years ago.  There is much interest in the flowers that are native to Florida and grow wild.  Rather than paint just one flower I decided to make a big bouquet of various wilflowers in a vase.  There are just about 3 dozen wildflowers included in this painting.  Everytime I tried to count them I lost track.  Maybe you can do a more accurate count?

Savannah Rain

This comes from a lesson on silhouettes.  My students first painting a mingled wash in sunset colors on their paper, grading down to a sandy bottom.  When it dried they added palms and foliage in the forground in a dark color, creating a sunset effect.  these can be very striking paintings because of the drama caused by the light and dark values.  I was playing around, using up the the Paynes Grey paint I had squeezed out, creating some clouds, putting in a horizon, spritzing with a spray of water, tilting the paper, adding some grasses at the bottom.....resulting in this monochromatic painting of the Florida Savannahs.

Flowers Fruit and Tea

Following my newly discovered way of creating a painting I placed a collection of various items on my watercolor paper in a random pattern.  Some were found as I ran for exercise and others I had on hand like string, thread, gauze and packing materials.  Using spray bottles of watercolor paint I then saturate some areas and leave others dry.  This overspray creates interesting patterns that frame the center of interest nicely.  After the paint dries the impression items are removed to see the image underneath.  Then I study the paper carefully, hoping for some inspiration.  This one said 'teapot' so I used my oiler-boiler to outline it and from there found tea, a sugar and creamer, bowl of fruit, teacup, flowers and so on.  I really enjoy starting with the unknown and being challenged to discover the known.

Spring, from the Seasons Series

Every once in a while I get the chance to paint with a dear friend for the entire afternoon.  We trade ideas, make suggestions and try new techniques.  It is a very pleasant time and of course passes very quickly.  I was putting the finishing touches on the painting, explaining that the swing symbolized one I had as a child under our grape arbor in the backyard.  I spent many happy hours there, swinging away, feeling very free and peaceful in that leafy green glade.  When my friend heard this story she told me she just had to buy this painting!

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!