Winter Whites

Winter whites are in....a duo of lilies on a dark background.  When I paint white I actually use quite a few colors in the shadows.  This really makes the flowers pop.

Bulb magic

It's that time of year when we force bulbs in our houses to add color and texture.  One of my favorites is the statuesque Amaryllis!  They take a while to get to their unfurling stage, but the wait it well worth it.  Another bulb that takes less time to bloom is the paperwhite...also a good one to try. (and sketch!)

cold studio

Wow...my posts have become very irregular....are you all still out there and checking up on me? I've been out of the studio for a bit due to a heating issue...hopefully that will be resolved soon!  But for now it is below  freezing in there and I've rescued all my paints and brought them in the house for fear of damaging them... so soon I should be producing some new work!  Here is "Double Dutch" a small 7"x7" painting from the spring.

Holiday wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Winter demo

It's that time of year...I restocked my local gallery with cards and card sets...and they included winter/holiday scenes...like the above Birches card set.  I will also be doing a watercolor demonstration at Frog Hollow on Saturday December 7th from 1-3 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

much color

Thought I'd post a colorful, bright and happy painting today.  This one is titled "Confetti Combo".  A wild jumble of multicolored gladiola.  The gardens are being put to bed and we are well into several nights of frosty temps!

Niagara?

Here's a little sketch I did this summer of a local town's falls.  At night they lit up with different colors and you'd have thought you were at Niagara falls instead of Vergennes Vermont!  (well....almost)

Workshop of a friend

"let me explain it this way" my portrait painting 22"x15"

Sometimes a subject needs more exploration...and this gentleman gave me many lovely poses with different expressions.  I also wish to announce a portrait painting workshop here in Burlington that is being taught by a very talented fellow watercolorist who I know from my years being a member of the Vermont WC Society.  Here is the link for more information...This is a great opportunity to learn from the award winning artist Robert O'Brien!  Below is an example of his work, a portrait titled "Ted".  Workshop is Saturday November 23rd 10 - 4 p.m. and is $60.00.

Word play

Thank you everyone for sending emails or comments regarding titles for the last rooster painting I posted... Always fun to get someone else's input and ideas!  This one is titled "Cautiously watching"...or maybe I can name it "the hairy eyeball"...where does that saying come from?  Pigment play and word play...fun times...

Negative

This is a little exercise I teach in my workshops on how to do the negative painting that I love to do in my floral work.  This is probably about 3 to 4 layers of color going progressively darker.

Staring at you

This guy is giving you quite the stare down!  This was a fun and different angle to paint.  I especially like the way the comb came out.  Any fun title ideas out there for this one?  Remember I'm a fan of alliteration...okay now hit me with your suggestions....

Orange

Happy October everyone!  Pumpkins are here with their orange color which is the same as this lily...we've lost our Tiger Lilies to a little red bug that eats them all up...I'm missing them.  I like Cadmium Orange, but is opaque and needs to be handled carefully and with minimal cross mixing or it can get muddy...

Orchid Face

A pink orchid to send you into the weekend...we are looking at several beautiful days to lead us into October!  Can't believe Halloween is coming up...Just found out one of my paintings was accepted into the New England Watercolor Society's Regional show at the Plymouth Center for the Arts...click the link for more information.

"Frills"

I had some great name suggestions for my last post painting.  Here are a few: "Show off", "perfection in bloom", "A hint of blue", "A touch of purple", "Kaleidoscope Iris", "A cloud of iris", "Sunshine Iris", "Reaching out", "Smiling Iris", "end of summer", "Pastel beauty" and "The glow of summer".  Thanks to all who sent in possible titles!  This post's iris is already titled "Frills".

Name?

Summer is almost over! Unbelievable...but fall is nice too...this is a little painting from this summer and captures those short-lived irises...I didn't have too many this year in the garden.  Anyone have a name suggestion for this watercolor?

"Reigns Supreme"

Yesterday I drove to Waitsfield to drop off my work for the upcoming Round Barn show.  This is one of the paintings for the show, "Reigns Supreme".  The show opens on Sunday the 22nd and runs through the 13th of October.  This is such a unique venue in a wonderful location!

"Sunspot"

One of the last of the summer bloomers...I see all sorts of sunflowers around town...some as tall as 10 feet!  This little painting is 7.5"x7.5", but was done from a photograph I took of one of those tall growers...The stalk alone was well over an inch thick!  Pushing the complements yellows and violets...

Living Color

Yesterday was the opening reception for the Watercolorists show "Living Color" at the Bryan Gallery in Jeffersonville.  So many people were there.  I was part of an artist panel "round table" discussion prior to the opening where I got to speak a little about myself and my artistic practices and experiences.  It was a fun day!  "Spring Awakening" is at the show 23"x30" framed.

Art Hop

This piece is in the group show that opens tomorrow night with a reception at the Men's Room in Burlington. 106 Main Street....as part of the South End Art Hop...a big event that draws tons of people perusing lots of art...hope to see you there!  "Auburn Blues" 18"x18" framed

Playful peony

Another small painting measuring 7.5"x7.5".  Pushing the mauves, pinks and purples in this one with the pop of bright yellow in the center.  I like to engage my edges...which means that I paint up to and beyond the edge of the paper...this tells the viewer that there is more happening around what you can see.

Figurative Art

I posted this painting "Low Lands")  to my blog's sidebar in the section "figure painting of the month"...which I don't know if a lot of you see or if you just get my emailed posts..but anyway here it is and it will be part of a group figurative show in Burlington at artspace 106 at the Men's Room salon on Main Street.  The opening reception if next Friday the 6th of September from 5-9 p.m. during the South End Art Hop event...always a big draw.  I'll have 5 other figure pieces there as well...

busy times

I've titled this one "Land Baron"...doesn't it look like he's keeping watch over his vast country estate?  Summer is flying by and I'm in the midst of framing and prepping for various art shows..it seems the end of summer and fall are my busiest times...all the shows seem to happen at once and there are numerous opening receptions and lots of travel to drop off and pick up work.

Purple pansy

Hi everyone...I'm still here, but find I'm sporadically posting this summer...sorry about that...but thanks for your comments and emails!  Here is a little intimate portrait of a purple pansy...the painting measures 7.5"x7.5".  I like zooming in and making it all about a single blossom...there's a few more of these to come.

new painting

More show news...my painting "The future looks bright" just got accepted for exhibition in the Northeast Watercolor Society show which will be in Kent, Connecticut.  If you click the link here it will take you to my updated News and Shows info page of my website..now it's frame time!

modern technology

A little spring flower in the summer...it seems like all the spring blooms went so fast this year...I guess all the rain didn't help.  Luckily we have computers and digital files that house our inspirational photos, as compared to years ago when we'd snap a roll of film, took it in to the drug store or photo lab and had to wait to see what developed...and then come to realize that half the pix were not the greatest!  Joys of modern technology...

Texture

This piece is currently on display at a local gallery, titled "Large and in Charge".  It measures 15"x11" and the background is layers upon layers of pigment with clean water dropped in to create the blossom texture.  I had to wait between layers to avoid overworking and I like how the colors continue in the feathers.  By the way...thanks to those of you who continue to leave me your comments!  It's nice to know you are still keeping an eye on me!

cluster of irises

This was a demo painting I did several years ago in a local gallery...it is a nice thing to do to engage the public and start a conversation about your art and educate people about watercolor.  I'll be doing another one sometime soon.

Artistic License

Back to my old tricks...some rooster friends....I tried to really push the colors and invent some new breeds!  Don't know too many purple/yellow feathered examples...but yes...if the light is right you can see these hues reflected in their plumage!  I just used some artistic license!

showtime

Just found out my work was accepted to some local shows.  One gallery is hosting a watercolor show titled "Living Color" (Mary Bryan Gallery in Jeffersonville) two of my paintings will be there and then there is another juried group show that will take place in Waitsfield at the Round Barn...so look for my originals, prints and cards there in September!

"Tulip tumble"

Pink tulips to give us cool spring thoughts in this summer heat wave!  The leaves and stalks were created by painting the negative space...so instead of painting the actual object, I paint the area around it.  Layering and glazing and putting in these little triangles of dark darks as my last touches.

Pop of Red

Wow...time flies and all of a sudden it's been a week since posting...but busy times here...show information coming in and framing other pieces and trying to stay cool etc.etc..I don't know about all you watercolorists out there, but when it's so humid I have trouble controlling the paint and the drying time is all over the board...wish my studio was climate controlled :)

Show news

I've posted my painting "The Storyteller" before when I announced he'd be published in Splash 14 (out sometime this month?...waiting patiently...!) and now I find out he's been juried in to the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's show...so he's getting around...a modern day minstrel recounting his tales in various places!

Dainty Daisies

Daisies are about to pop open around here...but the rain is certainly taking its toll...hopefully by this weekend we'll have some sunshine!  Another 7"x7" painting...painting around all the white petals and adding some neutrals for shadows...my neutrals are made using red, yellow and blue in various strengths...for interest..rather than dip into Payne's gray.

Opening

This painting will be in a group show that opens today at Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne.  I just dropped off 5 new pieces.  This one is 7"x7" and titled "Tender tulip".  I'm enjoying the tight close ups of different blossoms and trying to create a pleasing composition on a small piece of paper.

Sit or walk

I thought this piece was interesting since the young lady is sitting in front of a sign that is announcing a "walk event today"....funny how that happens..I like the way her hair gets "lost" in the background...edges are so important....

Iris

The poor irises didn't last too long around here...we had soooo much rain, but I managed a few pictures of some colorful beauties...this little painting is titled "Royal" and is on display at Frog Hollow State Craft Center in Burlington.  Rich, royal purples and hearts of gold....

Curious

This little painting (7"x7") is titled "Curious"...I get that feeling when I photograph these feathered friends that they either give you the hairy eyeball and send a warning of caution your way or they simply don't care and go about their business...I know I take a few steps back if a large rooster takes a curious interest!

Tasty Tulips

This little painting: "Tasty Tulips" (7"x7" image size) will be part of the following show: 2nd ANNUAL GREEN MOUNTAIN WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION, JUNE 29– JULY 28, 2013 Thursday thru Sunday, 1:00 to 9:00 pm, Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm Inn Rt. 100, Waitsfield, VT.  I will have 3 other pieces there as part of this multi artist group show.

Opening Receptions

Just a quick reminder that this weekend my show at the Bronxville Women's Club hosts an opening reception from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday the 9th.  If you are in the neighborhood stop by and say hello!  Pictured: "The Pleasure of Peonies" 12"x16"  Click the link to go to their website.  Also the VWS juried show opens tonight at SEABA, 404 Pine Street in Burlington.  5-7 p.m.  I have one painting in the show

polka dots

More pear portraits!  This time the little green pear sat on a green cloth with white polka dots...I exaggerated the dot pattern and pushed the background color to a rich red..

small pear

Little pear paintings...they are super fun to do...I love the shape of pears and they have all sorts of landmarks and curves plus their own personalities.  This little piece is in a sketchbook and is small..I love the hit of turquoise on the left.

Strong light

I started painting some strongly lit portraits...working with some unique color combinations and leaving the pure white of the paper as the lit side of the face...this is the most straight forward portrait...for some of the others I used purples, greens, yellows and blues in the face...I'll try to post those some time soon.

Mill in Red

Another one from my week long retreat...this is the main building where you eat all your meals and they are tasty.  My studio was a little further away from the main campus so I managed to walk most of my meals off, plus gather inspiration like this view on my way there!

pear portrait

 

I made myself another sketchbook recently that I filled while I was away at a week long artist residency.  This little painting was the last one I did in the sketchbook on the last day and was of this red pear that kept me company most of the week in the studio and I thought I'd better commemorate it with its own portrait! (actual size 3.5"x2" or so)

Value

When I first started painting I didn't understand the importance of value..this was the hardest thing for me to grasp...now that I've been painting for many years, value has certainly become more clear and is such an important part of a successful painting.

color and color

This piece is 22"x15" and shows some fantastic tail feather colors..I don't think there is such a colorful rooster out there for real..but I certainly exaggerate the pigment choices and hope it makes for a more exciting painting.

drippy double pears

This was a fun experiment while I was away all week at an artist residency.  I tacked a large piece of paper on the wall from a roll I bought for $5.00 at Ikea and then painted these two pears that I had placed on a nearby table.  Fun to paint so extremely vertical...hence the drips. The paper is about 24" wide by 36" long.

subject revisited

Here's a rooster done a few weeks ago and got me back on a roll for painting my feathered friends..so I will be posting those over the next several weeks...painting marathons or lulls hit everyone...sometimes a subject gets put on the back burner for a while, but resurfaces when you are ready to tackle it again...

is it finished?

This is the last installment of my progress pictures...I don't know if the painting is finished at this point or if there is still tweaking to do...but I hope you got to see the major steps involved in my process.