White Orchids - SOLD

It has been SO long since I've painted BIG flowers...I've missed it.  Have had a large gallery wrapped canvas sitting in the studio waiting for just the right painting and I was inspired to paint flowers again.  This canvas is 24 x 30" x 1.5" thick.  These white orchids - I believe they're actually called "Phalaenopsis" were so elegant that I decided they'd be just the right subject for this large canvas.  My painting was done with acrylics with lots of glazing layers of transparent colors for a rich background filled with greens, violets, blues and reds.

My aim with this piece was to emphasize the lovely form of these orchids and their exotic central features with the yellowish green accents.

I know it's been awhile since I've posted - have been quite busy with other creative tasks - sewing, gardening, cooking, etc.  Not today though - a late season snow storm has us cozy inside with laundry, cleaning and some studio painting time to finish this painting.

A "divergence" - Self Portrait - Charcoal Exercise

Okay, so not a building...or a painting.  Decided it was time to work out some different creative muscles to refresh my artistic spirit and strengthens my skills.  And, several folks have asked me lately if I ever paint people.  "Not often lately has been my usual response."  And so I decided to get a little practice in.  So, I've spent a little time doing some portrait exercises.  Having worked so much from photos lately, working from direct observation was a nice change.  Of course on short notice the easiest subject to find was myself!  So, over the past week or so I've done three self portraits - an acrylic painting, a soft pastel painting and this one from last night, a charcoal drawing.  It's the one I'm happiest with too.

Strong drawing skills are really the foundation for good painting skills.  I suppose that's why I enjoyed doing this one so much as I got to work on my observation skills as well as simplify into black and white, really studying the value variations.  That can sometimes be a challenge when one introduces color into the mix.

For this exercise I used two different charcoal pencils, blending stumps, my fingers, vinyl erasers and just a touch of white pastel pencil.  The drawing was done on heavy white paper and is 8.5 x 11".  Still wanted to keep it fresh and spontaneous.

"At Cherry Street Farmers' Market" Now Available as Prints

Just in time for the Spring Farmers' Markets season to begin, I've made full-size prints of my pastel painting "At Cherry Street Farmers' Market" available for purchase through my online Imagekind.com gallery.  Also available is a smaller print, greeting cards and even print on canvas!

Shown here the finished size is 17.8" x 20.7", printed on Enhanced Matte, Simple German Silver Basic Frame, 3" wide "Gallery White" conservation linen, non-glare glass; your total is $112.28 plus shipping!  Or, if you want to get creative - just visit the gallery and pick your own frame type, matte color/type, glazing and it's as easy as that.  You can even view the painting against a large selection of wall colors.  You'll have your very own unique art in just a few days.  All Imagekind prints are backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

At Cherry Street Farmers' Market

Early in the winter I imagined that I would plant a little vegetable garden this Spring so as to enjoy the "fruits" of my labor with some yummy fresh veggies.  Then, as the Winter has worn on and I recollected the fun I have had going to the various local Farmers' Markets, contemplated the work that would be involved without assurance of equal rewards, I decided to alter my plans.  Think I'll just plant my herbs and maybe a few plants at most and then continue to support our local producers through my patronage. 

Meanwhile, I'll try to remember my camera so as to snap more photos of the vendors like this woman selling her lovely yellow Marigolds and red-violet Coleus!  Yes, another Spring-themed pastel piece.  I experimented this time and brushed a gesso-prepped piece of 14 x 11" mdf board with some Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels.  Then I layered heavy applications of soft pastels and then dipped a brush into Witch Hazel (I couldn't find any rubbing alcohol) to make some washy areas and low and behold it worked!

So, locals, have you heard the news?  Cherry Street Farmers' Market has grown and is moving to a new location as they've outgrown their current location.  Didn't realize they're 90 vendors strong now!  Their new location will be still on Cherry Street between Quaker & Rockford.  They're having a street party Saturday, April 10th from 7-11 a.m. to celebrate their 12th Season!  Details.