Thursday, March 30, 2017

A Different Project

A client recently asked me to do a special painting for them—on a wall! She wanted peonies, magnolias and ferns painted on a black background, more of the same above the tub and ferns in a couple of little alcoves. Her husband asked for a couple of small hearts embedded in one of the flowers. WOW!

Using silk flowers and photos as references the paintings took shape. My sister took time off to assist taking care of masking, ladder moving, flower and palette holding, suggestions for flowers, stems and leaves, keeping me from bumping into lights, providing guidance as I climbed up and down the ladder and stepped onto the plank over the tub, taking photos and providing great company.

Painting on black isn't something I usually do. I will never see black in the same way! This completed project looks really stunning! The photos are below.

Thanks to my client for AWESOME encouragement, wonderful hospitality and the opportunity to help make an idea become reality.

Below are some photos from this project.

Top left is before painting on the wall; upper right is completed wall with mirror in front. You can see the area above the tub with the window in the background, a close up of some of the flowers and the ferns in the alcoves which are on the sidewalls by the tub recessed about 3"


A close up of the flower with the 2 hearts in it.



Saturday, March 25, 2017

Acrylic Impressions of Light Workshop

Today we had a wonderful workshop painting trees, water, and light in acrylic. Below are the paintings that we accomplished. They are very beautiful.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Painting Trees

Today I had the pleasure of painting with a wonderful group of artists. Here is the work that they accomplished.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Summer Conversation

I teach a lot of classes and use a lot of paper for my watercolor paintings. Some paintings don't quite make the cut and I've started recycling these by painting gesso, molding paste, fiber paste or absorbent ground over the old painting. This mostly covers the painting underneath. Then I can collage over that. When the collage is dry I paint with watercolor and finish with acrylic inks.If part of the piece still doesn't work I can always gesso or collage over it again. Watercolor over the collage is interesting because the papers absorb the paint differently. The textures of the gesso or absorbent ground show through the washes. "Summer Conversation" is one of these pieces. There's a lot of interesting textures in the piece to add interest to the painting.
"Summer Conversation" • Original mixed media • 15" x 11"

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Whispering Leaves

I really love painting the trees with white bark. They make such a contrast to the surrounding landscape. I've been working with greens a lot lately, a color that I think can be hard to work with. I tries to have a lot of variety in these greens. I think the light blue touches really sing.
"Whispering Leaves • Original acrylic on 3/4" wrap around canvas, painting continues on sides, ready to hang • 10" x 16"
If interested in purchasing this piece click HERE.