Saturday, January 31, 2015

"Dream Garden" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8")


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Orange butterflies flit about dainty sprays of white flowers in a dreamy garden.

I have painted 20-or-so watercolors this month. What fun it was to go back to my original passion as an artist!  I experimented with edges, textures, backgrounds, etc.  I am going to return to oils for now, but I will renew my watery explorations in March, when spring flowers burst in my garden!

Friday, January 30, 2015

"Crocuses in Snow" (watercolor on paper; 5" x 7") sol


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These early spring babies are not blooming yet; the reference photo was taken a while back. Aren't the yellow crocuses peaking through a cover of light snow a cheerful sight on a wintry day?  Spring will come!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

"Siberian Irises" (watercolor on paper; 10" x 7")


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A tender bouquet of Siberian irises cheered me up, as nothing else would, on a spring day last year during my husband's illness.  I am glad that I took a picture.  The painting is a reminder of glorious spring, life's fragility, and kindness that sustains us.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

"Jett" (oil on linen; 9" x 12") sold


sold


"Jett" is for Gaye who commissioned the portrait for her daughter, Katie.  Jett is a 6-year-old Cockapoo. He is very sassy and doesn't know he is a dog; he likes to be treated like a king.  The red sofa in which he is ensconced makes a perfect throne for the canine royalty!


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

"Yellow Rose Bouquet" (watercolor on paper; 7" x 10")


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A swirling bouquet of yellow roses stirs up deep passion!



By the way, I tried a square cropping, but decided on the original design.  What's going on on the sides seems to add depth and mystery.  I guess that sometimes more is more!  Do you agree?


Thursday, January 22, 2015

"Happy Bees" (watercolor on paper; 7.5" x 7.5") sold


sold


Do two happy bumble bees basking on sunflowers make you feel happy too?  This painting was conceived as a horizontal rectangle, but the design troubled me.  When I cropped it into a square, the whole thing suddenly made sense with the bees as the focal point.  Sometimes less is more!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

"Peonies and Coreopsis" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8")


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Pink peonies and yellow coreopsis from my garden make a gorgeous bouquet! Below are the step-by-step pictures of "Peonies and Coreopsis". Is this the way I paint watercolors?  Not always.  I vary my approach depending on the subject matter; I sometimes paint the background first.  I don't think one suit fits all.


I started laying down the first layer.

Developing more flowers.



The bouquet is almost finished.

At this point, I decided to add another layer of glaze to the background.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

"Mother's Love" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8") sold


sold


Is the baby polar bear whispering to his mommy while his sister is going for the warmth of her embrace? A polar bear mother and her two cubs are captured in their tender moment.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

"White Tiger" (watercolor on paper; 8" x 8") sold


sold


Have you ever seen white tigers? White tigers are not albinos; it's just a recessive gene they carry that doesn't allow the orange coloration. They also have gorgeous blue eyes!


Monday, January 12, 2015

"Wisterias at Monet's Garden" (oil on stretched canvas; 11" x 14") sold


sold


Visit Monet's Garden in Giverny during the wisteria season.  Wow!  In my painting, wisterias in the foreground frame the lyrical landscape created by the Impressionist painter.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

"Pink Rose" (watercolor on paper; 7" x 5")


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One of my New Year's resolutions is that I want to paint more watercolors.  Here is the first watercolor painting of the year--a pink rose, fresh as morning dew, glowing in the summer sun.  What do you think?

Saturday, January 10, 2015

"Provence Lavender Sunset" (oil on stretched canvas; 9" x 12") sold


sold


The sun sets on the lavender fields of Provence, France.  One can almost feel the warmth of the golden light and smell the intoxicating fragrance of lavender.  Bury me under the tree in the painting when I die, because this is my heaven! 

Friday, January 9, 2015

"Leela" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold




sold  



"Leela" is for Lauren, who commissioned the portrait for her son-in-law.  Leela is a husky-lab mix with energy galore.  She is always on the go!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

"Holly" (oil on linen; 12" x 12") sold


   

sold   


I am back, stronger than ever!  I took a long break after I finished 30 pet portraits during the holiday season, to rest my body and nourish my soul. 

"Holly" is for Renee, who commissioned the portrait for her husband's birthday.  Holly is a 7-year-old Brittany Spaniel.  She loves to go on walks, lay in the sun and chase squirrels.  She stalks them in the summertime; she chases little moles too.  She loves people more than other dogs.  She is very loyal, sweet, and gentle.  Renee's husband and Holly are the best pals who hunt together.