Angel Trumpet! watercolor from Hawaii

Here is a new piece--- a diversion... of Angel Trumpets from Hawaii.

I love this flower. It is everywhere on the Big Island.

I am not quite finished on this piece--- but I wanted to share with you my progress.

It's a welcome relief from painting gators.

Angel Trumpets

watercolor

20" h x 15" w

2011

in progress

FAST GATOR IS EVOLVING!

Here is the latest version of FAST GATOR. My latest painting of a swamp gator from the Everglades.

I have been struggling with him.... but now I feel that the direction is positive.

I will work on him tomorrow-- to see if I can conclude.

It's certainly taken a different turn....and not at all like I thought it would turn out.

Fast Gator

watercolor

34" h x 46" w

2011

in progress

Two Large Scale Everglades Series paintings!

These two large scale watercolors have been occupying my studio time lately. One is done [gator] and the other is ALMOST done. I have enjoyed working on them... and my return to watercolor is sweet. I have been diligently trying to raise the bar on my watercolor. I want to have richer and more developed paintings then before. I am trying to work with larger scale and sympathetic imagery. The Everglades Series is a wonderful subject for me! I am so emotionally attached to this imagery.....

Let me know what you think about these newer paintings.

Gator Swamp

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

finished

Beside the Still Water

watercolor

40" h x 30" w

2011

still in progress

Returning to my roots...

Here's the crab! I have been doing smaller paintings... to reacquaint myself with watercolor.

Each painting from this journey has been different imagery ... and different approach.

I have wanted to see how watercolor behaves in a variety of situations

This crab is on Hot Press paper...and involves some colors that are challenging for me.

Enjoy.

Crab

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

Two watercolors of differing perspectives

I have been working on DAY 3 of

BESIDE THE STILL WATER

painting from the Everglades. It is going well... but I need another day or two to finish. I am going to take a break and let the painting sit for a while. Finishing the painting with "fresh eyes" -- is always better than finishing it in a hurry.

The ORCHID painting is from Hawaii. I love the inspired colors--- and it reminds me of all the tropical beauty there.

Beside the Still Water

watecolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

in progress

Orchid

watercolor

14" h x 11" w

2011

Watercolor Rules!

I've been working in watercolor with diligence this week--- trying to get ready for my workshop in France. There is so much I still need to learn!

So... the watery-wet conditions of a too-saturated spring make for good watercolor in my studio.

The first painting here- is the beginning of a large scale watercolor called BESIDE THE STILL WATERS.

It will be a large pool-scape painting of the edge of an Everglades slough. Hopefully, within the week- it will be finished.

The small gecko is, well, a small gecko~! This green character was a visitor to my workshop in Hawaii. He stayed at our lunch table and begged for bottlecaps of soda to drink. He was so fun to watch-- and definitely a brilliant color of green! I said -- I would paint him -- so here he is.
Hibiscus painting is a more finished version of the hibiscus I've been working on. I still have a few more things to do to the pistol -- but it is largely done.

The fourth painting is the sunporch from my friend Susan in the Virgin Islands. The afternoon light comes streaming through her curtains and makes these amazing patterns through the lattice onto the floor. Of course, it was magical !

The chairs to the right were finally finished off with a layer of brilliant french ultramarine blue. I love the Virgin Islands!

Beside the Still Waters

watercolor

40" h x 30" w

2011

in progress

Gecko

watercolor

9" h x 11" w

2011

Hibiscus

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

Suz's Porch

watercolor

11" h x 14"' w

2011

New Works in Watercolor --- ALL SPLASHY and SUMMER

I have been working on new watercolors... trying to get my mojo back.

It's more difficult than I thought~!

I haven't done much watercolor in the last years... except a piece or two here and there.

Now...I'm trying to put together a body of work -- that makes a substantial statement about the Everglades.

I'm also getting a little distracted with doing images from the Virgin Islands!

So.. here are my first few attempts. Some of them - I like better than others. Others are leading to promising directions.

Come here - to this blog often -- and I will show you the progression of my new show.

Hibiscus

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

in progress

Fish

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

Drip 3 and 5

watercolor

46" h x 78" w

2011

in progress

Drip 5

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

in progress

Delivery of The Italian Suite paintings

This past week I have spent the majority of my time packing, crating, and shipping the Italy paintings to the clients who purchased the work. It has been a fun time-- figuring out which painting goes where.

They have been sent from coast to coast!

The show is now officially over!

Yesterday-- I spent the day delivering work to the St. Louis [local] clients who purchased.

It was a fun day -- seeing everyone receive the painting with open arms. It was quite a thrill!

Here are a few photos from the day . Not everyone is here. ... but you get the idea~!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL my friends who are mothers~!

Shown here: The View Was Worth the Climb and Whoosh

acrylics from The Italian Suite

New Watercolor-- movin' and shakin'!

I am getting more and more stoked to work in watercolor.

Now... I'm combining my work on the Everglades with images from the Virgin Islands.

This keeps things spiced up in the studio!

A Caribbean flair!

So... here are 3 recent watercolors from this week.

The larger Everglades watercolor is being worked on slowly.

The smaller watercolors from the VI are largely spontaneous and finished!

Beach

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

Fish

watercolor

11" h x 14" w

2011

Drip

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

in progress

Drip is slowly developing

I can't say that I'm lovin' working on this painting..... The watercolor feels so unfamiliar -- and I don't like the paper.

But... I will continue on -- and make it count.

I like the concept -- but I have also started another version -- that could potentially come closer to what I am looking for.

This painting is now at the stage of developing the twinkle and nuance to bring it into jewel like brilliance.

Tomorrow I teach-- so a day away from the working on the painting will be good.

Drip

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

in progress

Watercolors from the Everglades

The Everglades is foremost in my work these past few weeks. I have been focusing only on watercolor -- of water, gators, and sunsets.

I have also been painting some on the Virgin Islands.

These two large scale watercolors are similar in scope and theme.

One is finished..and one is just beginning.

The top painting is just started-- and there is so much more detail and nuance to paint.

The bottom painting-- SLOUGH that I worked on last December.

It is heading to WATERCOLOR USA in Springfield, MO for the 2011 exhibition.

I had it framed and shipped yesterday.

It's all been rewarding...to switch gears and work in watercolor.

Please come back and see the top painting when it's completed.

Drip 1

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2011

in progress

Slough

watercolor

46" h x 34" w

2010