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!