Signs of Autumn

 

The colors and shapes of gourds make them an excellent subject for a still life painting. I love the warm colors and enjoyed capturing the texture and form of my chosen theme. They certainly remind me of autumn.

Original watercolor 8 x 12 $65
email sferina222@yahoo.com

Mothers Day Flowers

 

These flowers were sent to me for Mothers Day by my five children. They were so totally 'me' because I have always loved flowers. There were a lovely variety in a beautiful range of pinks, including some roses which were very fragrant. The unusual shape of the container was interesting and is one of my favorite colors: chartruese. I framed the picture with the note they wrote which I will always treasure.

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Freeform Flowers

 

Along with several neighbors a fund-raising party was held at my home. One of the guests gave me this beautiful bouquet as they arrived. The event turned out to be fun and was very successful. Having a worthwhile cause as the basis for our party seemed to make everyone feel good. The following day I chose to relax by setting this vase of flowers on my patio table and just painting. No drawing, planning or preparation beforehand, thus 'Freeform flowers'.

Original Watercolor $195 16x20
email sferina222@yahoo.com

Escape

 

To me Florida is sunshine, blue water, white sand beaches and palm trees. Taking these elements I developed this painting, hoping to suggest a sense of tranquility. I included a means of 'escape' for one to reach this peaceful hideaway and spend some quiet time away from it all.

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Bright Day

 

Hydrangeas are so magical to me. They first bloom in a greenish white and later on turn to a beautiful blue, pink or purplish hue. The leaves are large and nicely shaped. They have great appeal as a painting subject because of their beauty but also because I'm sentimental. The hydrangeas at my former home up north were transplants from my mom's garden. Her flowers were originally from my Grandmother's house in Brooklyn NY. Family flowers? You decide.

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Chance

 

This painting was done in response to a beautiful greeting card I received from my granddaughter Rachel. She chose the card because she thought it was perfect for me. No plan was done, no drawing. I just painted away and added my own touch with the ink outlines.

Original Watercolor $95 16x20
email sferina222@yahoo.com

Sunday Options - Pray or Play?

I painted this scene because it spoke to me of how casual our Florida lifestyle is! Parked right beside the church was a boat and trailer, ready to roll. Now the choice..........

Original watercolor $225 16x20
email sferina222@yahoo.com

Eternal

We were enroute to Naples FL for a celebration of my husband's birthday. His cousin called and told us that his son had unexpectedly passed away. Arrangements weren't complete so we continued our trip, waiting to hear further news. Yes, it became more a time of quiet contemplation as we were naturally filled with feelings of sadness and loss. To help express these feeling I sat on the beach at sunset and thought of John. This is my painting. He was the married father of 3 young boys and we all miss his smiling joyous ways.

14 x 18 inch prints available $50.00
Cards $5.00 each 

Savannahs

In our area there is a large tract of land set aside as a permanent preserve. It is called the Savannahs, probably because it resembles the 'rivers of grass' in other parts of the world like the Everglades or the Serengetti. These are unspoiled gems of nature and remain as they were from the beginning. There is such a feeling of peace pervading the atmosphere. It is restorative just to visit, observe and do nothing else. I hope this painting provides the same feeling.

11 x 14 inch prints available $50.00
5 x 7 inch cards available $5.00 each 

Secret Garden

My neice Sharon took a beautiful photograph of a rustic table and chairs in a garden in California. There was a stong suggestion of seclusion and intimacy in the setting. It was my decision to add the stone wall to my compostion. This definitely gives an enclosed feeling to this watercolor. I wanted to give it the feeling of accessibility also so I 'broke' the stone wall a bit to accomplish this. A perfect spot for a meal al fresco accompanied by a glass of wine!

11 x14 prints available $50.00 

Floral Imagery

This was an exercise in laying down colors after thoroughly wetting the paper. That's the fun part....trying to do something with the results is mind-stretching. After a bit I saw the possibility of fashioning flowers and created the soft-focus painting above. Some people love this kind of loose blurred effect while others prefer something more structured.

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Sweet Sustenance

This painting started out just being lilies.....kind of open and free form giving it a contemporary look. I warmed the background with shades of pale chartruese and gold. Still wasn't satisfied with the result. Deciding to add a hummingbird was the answer. It added the right touch to these charming flowers, the feeling of a life connection that was missing.

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Heavenly Lake Tahoe

While riding the Heavenly chairlift I was treated to the most spectacular scenery! Mountains, blue skies and turquoise waters shaded to a deeper blue, surrounded by stands of green pine trees. I couldn't wait to get back to my hotel so I could try to capture the exhilarating views on paper. This watercolor was painted from my mind's eye....

Watercolor 11x15 $85
contact sferina222@yahoo.com
 

For Michelle

It gives me great delight to paint a special picture for each of my grandchildren. I try to find an engaging subject that includes their favorite color and matches their room. It is also important that the painting is one that 'grows' with them through the years. Michelle loves pink but requested that her room be painted yellow. This combination of birds and flowers is just right for Michelle and looks nice in her room. 

Hydrangeas for Pat

This picture produces a feeling of nostalgia whenever I see it. It was painted as a farewell gift for my dear friend Pat. It was I who was leaving, relocating half a country away. Yes, we will always be friends but instead of occasionally seeing each other and catching up, we are now reduced to telephone calls. There is something special about a face to face connection that is now missing. Pat's favorite color is blue and her favorite flowers are hydrangeas.

 

Get the Beat

This painting was created using a technique that employs such mundane household supplies such as plastic wrap, wax paper, aluminum foil and bubble wrap. It's easy to identify the marks made by the bubble wrap but the effects made by the others is more subtle. I started by laying down my favorite colors in a random pattern and used the wrapping material to make abstract impressions. When I studied the results I realized it looked like a dancing girl so I added other dancers and some musical notes. It shakes, it moves, it's alive!

Watercolor 22x28 @150
contact sferina222@yahoo.com 

Lovely Lookout

Blue flowers are rare and so more appreciated. Hydrangeas start out white, turn to pale green and depending on the minerals in the soil, finally become either blue or pink. Some surprises happen too. Once in a while I've seen magenta hydrangeas and they are amazingly beautiful. This painting pairs a colorful bird with hydrangeas in restful blues and greens.

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Sunshine Girls

Does anyone remember the two hurricanes, Frances and Jean that both devastated the east coast of Florida within one month? When it was all over and we were weary in body and soul, we took off. Headed off for some soothing relaxation to restore our batteries so to speak. At the hotel we sat by the pool and just never moved. We couldn't. Summoning energy from who knows where, I picked up my brushes and painted in an uplifting, bright and happy way. Sunflowers did it for me.

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Undersea

It is amazing that such a colorful life exists under the cover of the sea. We look from above and see only the surface of the water which hides what is underneath somewhat like a pool cover. How fortunate that we are able to see photos giving us a peek at the teeming life that exists under the waters of the world. This painting is a whimsical view of sea life.

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Rachel's Sunflower

While visiting Portland OR the opportunity arose to vist the Saturday Market. This is a delightful, lush, colorful market filled with ripe fruits and vegetables and the most wonderful flowers! It is a treat to the senses to just walk around and view the bounty displayed in an artful manner. Rachel, my young granddaughter, helped me choose some sunflowers. Later we painted together, a favorite pastime and this is the result. A sweet memory for me.

Size: 10x13 inches
Framed Original
Price: $75.00
 

Sitting Pretty

It seems to me that birds have personalities just like people do. It wasn't planned but when I finished this painting I realized that the birds actually typify the natures of my three daughters. These three have a strong family connection but are vastly different individuals on independent paths in life who remain close.

Framed watercolor 11x14 $120
 

Tara's Thank You

Whenever I see a colorful array of flowers I get the urge to paint them. This was no exception. The blue and purple flowers contrasted perfectly with the yellow and orange ones. I added some green leafy accents and a misty, ethereal background to complete the painting.

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Soldiers of Napa

The vineyards of the Napa valley in California are exceedingly scenic. The air is fragrant with lavendar and there is a purple haze on the mountains. Combine this with the leafy green vines and you wind up with a combination that has great appeal to the senses. Capturing the whole essence of wine country in a painting was my goal. I feel that the vines, producing a bounty of grapes, year after year, are like soldiers in the line of duty, hence the name.

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Chickadee

This is a bright, happy painting, full of sunshine. I am drawn to the light. In addition, little birds have always appealed to me. Putting these two elements together resulted in an eye pleasing painting with bold colors characterized by a positive expression of delight.

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Mango Tango

There is surely satisfaction in taking something so basic as a piece of fruit and creating a painting. In this particular picture I decided to tweak the colors a bit by choosing to paint the mangoes more blue. The resulting painting is cool in hue and well contrasted with the warm, reddish brown branches.

Size: 12x16 inches
Framed original
Price : $125.00