Commissioned Cottage Painting

Recently I received a request to create a painting of a little cottage in Michigan. Since I have been experimenting with new techniques most of the summer, going back to my old method of painting holds a certain comfort for me. I am enjoying the tried and true techniques which have given me such nice results for so many years.

I am using photos from the client as references. She took wonderful photos, which really helps in creating a painting of a place that I am unable to visit in person. She took views from several angles and lots of detail photos so that I understand what each of the garden objects look like. The photos were also taken in bright sunlight which shows the nice shadows and helps to define the depth and dimensions of the subject.

Here I have lightly sketched the subject directly onto my watercolor paper. This should be a very fun piece to produce!

Students Painting of Palm Tree

Palm Tree by Barbara Simpson, Melbourne.

Barbara is one of my students and she sent this picture to me. She has been working on this piece at home. Thanks Barbara for sharing this photo!

I really like the angle of the view into the tree and the colors of the berries are varied and bright compared to the cool background. The movement of the palm fronds and the branches that hold the berries is nice also. Nice job, Barbara!

I love getting photos from my students on the projects they are working on outside of class. It is wonderful to see the growth in technical handling and the fact that each person's own visual voice comes out in a unique way as they learn to control the medium. I can teach and motivate, but the students have to do the work to get to a place where they can truly express themselves!

Memorial

Quietly, sadly, remembering the tragedy that happened nine years ago in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon.

Straw Hat in Watercolor

This is another "poured" piece that I recently completed. I'm still experimenting with this technique and finding that certain subjects lend themselves better than others.

I liked the solitary feeling of this woman on the beach with the group of other people in the distance. The colors are happy except for the blues around the lonely woman. Her hat, and perhaps her thoughts are the only cheerful, sunny items around her. Perhaps she went to the beach for some solitude.

Ginger's Painting

Ginger has been a student with me for about a year now. She pulled out this beautiful painting the other day to show the class. It is one she did on her own, using various references and employing several techniques. What a beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing Ginger!

Classes begin again in September at the studio in Melbourne, Florida. If you are interested in classes, please visit my website:
http://watercolorworksart.com/Classes.htm

First Friday Gallery Walk

Last night was our monthly First Friday Gallery Walk in the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD). We had a nice turnout. During part of the evening I demonstrated some of my new painting techniques. The gallery featured three special shows. First, our Second Annual Miniature show, which was excellent. The quality of the work this year was amazing. Awards were handed out and everyone who visited really enjoyed the work.
Second, our ongoing monthly Art of Eights Project was also showing. The 8 x 8 inch canvases are displayed in the gallery for one month, then on our website for three months. Each piece reflects the artist's personality and all are well-executed.
Third, the front room of the gallery features several paintings by some of our gallery members who have won awards. Our award-winning pieces are showing throughout the month.
Visit our gallery website to learn more. If you would like to participate in the Art of Eights Project, we welcome you! The application fee includes the canvas, which we provide. We do not take a commission if the piece sells, and so it is a wonderful way for artists of any caliber to earn exposure.
Learn more at our website: http://artandantiquestudio.com

Miniature Painting of Ocean

This is a miniature painting, 4 x 6 inches, framed, that sold recently. I will be posting several of these on my etsy site soon. They are so much fun to paint and it's interesting to see what you can create on such a small surface. The frame is 4x6, so the painting is even smaller!
Enjoy.