New Floral

This floral painting has had my attention for the last few days.  I was working hard on it-- until I ran in to a flu bug that knocked me flat.

I didn't work on it today --  so much remains undone.


This huge watercolor will get done tomorrow.

The intrique of the piece is of course... the globe holding water.   The image is quiet and the impact is strong.

I hope it all works out according to plan!

Stay tuned...and check back to see the final results.


Colors

French Ultramarine Blue
Quin Gold
Transparent Yellow
Winsor Green YS
Burnt Sienna
Shadow Violet
Mineral Violet
Turquoise Blue Light


Looking Through
watercolor
30" h x 45" w
in progress

Don't Leave Me Behind Tulips!

So...   I have been working on my third painting on FABRIANO paper.  I returned to Spring and familiar subject matter--- TULIPS!

I wanted to see how the paper performed and how the paint handled in the manner that I need it to-- Wet and loose!

So far-- I'm really pleased with the way it's turning out.

I deliberately stopped working on it-- so I could gain perspective.    I want the last tulips to be the center of interest and the most dynamic.  I need to make sure that they will be done with clarity and right color choices and value.


Don't Leave Me Behind Tulips
watercolor
25" h x 40" w
2012
in progress

Ice IRIS

Have worked some on the blue iris painting---  that follows the FLAME THROWER .
It's cool blues and purples--  with a hit of yellow.


I need to do some tweaking of the 'saved whites'.... and a few more glazes.  However, it was a joy to work on this today!

Enjoy!

Ice Iris 
watercolor
40" h x 30" w
2012
in progress

Blue Iris

Blue Iris is taking off.

I have begun a new IRIS painting---  that is softer and less vibrant than the FLAME THROWER.

It will be a cooler palette-- and larger in scale.

Tomorrow will see big changes in it!


Blue Iris
watercolor
40" h x 30" w
2012

Flame Thrower progress on watercolor

I did a few washes on the Flame Thrower watercolor yesterday.

I don't have much time to finish this painting-- the condo comes first!

Must get THAT painted!

But... here's the progress.

I really like the softer Fabriano paper. It doesn't behave with the blossoms like Arches. I will have to relearn some new techniques.

But I do like the fact that lifting and softening edges is much more responsive.

I may do a few more Iris to complete a statement.

I want to try Saunders paper as well.

Ahhhhh.... looking forward to life in the studio again ... once the CONDO is done.. and the MOVE is complete!

Flame Thrower

watercolor

40" h x 30" w

2012

in progress

Big Blue- Iris Watercolor

Big Blue iris watercolor has found a home. I am happy to say -- that 2 of the 3 monumental iris paintings I did last year have found placement.

It is a wonderful to have them move on to be my "ambassadors."

I love to see them appreciated!

This painting is currently getting framed- so I will post the final presentation later.

Big Blue

watercolor

40" h x 50" w

2010

sold

Two Sold watercolors --

These two watercolors were sold the other week to a nice client in NC. They were framed and met my approval.

Today they will be crated and shipped out.

I think they look smashing.... and very sleek.


Rain Tulips
watercolor
20" h x 20" w each panel
30" h x 70" w overall
2009

Jewel Swim
watercolor
35" h x 35" w
2009

Reeds Watercolor

Here is a large scale watercolor of reeds -- that has taken some time to complete.
I am really happy with the palette -- and the complexity of the piece. There is a sultry character to this painting... that is sometimes missing in my other work.

Will frame it tomorrow for an exhibition.

Corkscrew Reeds
watercolor on Arches 555lb cp
30" h x 60" w
2009

second to the last stage -- Goliath Iris watercolor

i photographed this second-to-last stage of this enormous watercolor -- there's one final day of painting on it .. that needs to be documented.

it was fun to go back and rework this image..and pull together a more solid painting. the final painting has a bit more drama... and value.

there's a simple freer abandon or creativity .. on working a previously-resolved painting. with the fresher eyes and perspective... i tend to make bolder and less calculating decisions. it's as though i've been given 'free reign' over the image.. and don't have to have boundaries!

tomorrow.. i will photo the last stage and post it here.


Goliath
watercolor
60" h x 40" w
2009 unfinished

Final Version- Blessed Morning - Watercolor

i took the time today... to finish the details of this watercolor. it progressed in a way.. to balance the image back to the center. the whites are largely gone-- replaced with golden yellows and some Old Holland Yellow Green.

there's a spooky edge to the piece that i like.

i'm going to steal a title from the poem Rhonda sent!

am installing this piece in a small show today... i will let you know of the response to it.



Blessed Morning
watercolor
22" h x 30" w
2009

More Development of a Botanical Watercolor

Had a wet day to paint .. and made some headway on this watercolor.

The good news is... I found a great pigment to work with-- OLD HOLLAND Mars Yellow. It behaves like my old paint..and wasn't at all frustrating!

So.. I have added it to my stable of colors. My journey of finding suitable pigments is slowly evolving.

Colors is this painting:

Old Holland Mars Yellow
Winsor/Newton Green Gold
Quin Magenta
Winsor Green
Dioxazine Purple
French Ultramarine Blue

Development of the Watercolor

The next intermediate stages............... will have time to finish tomorrow --

It was a nice rainly day today --- perfect for laying down the washes.


Untitled
watercolor
22 " h x 30 " w
2009
unfinished

Napa Palm- Acrylic

This acrylic was produced a few years ago for a show about Napa Valley. I have since added other layers and depth. The vertical format is especially striking ... when it's in the gold frame.

The palm has a majestic and calming presence.

Napa Palm
acrylic
40 " h x 15" w
2007

Still Waters -- watercolor

This painting is really gathering it's own energy and presence. I am almost done with it ... and what started out as TWO watercolors... spontaneously became infinitely better by becoming a DIPTYCH. i was working on both pieces simultaneously -- and had them next to each other on my work easel. suddenly -- the differing perspectives of virtually the same pond... became eerily suggestive.. and captivating. i LIKED it better together.. than separately. that's how they hang.

now.. i have to finish the top leaf -- minor adjustments.. and viola! it's done.

when you stand in front of it.. the size, the perspective, and the way that it's arranged on the wall-- makes you feel dizzy! very cool....


Still Waters
watercolor
45" h x 65" w
diptych
2009 unfinished

Acrylic- Pondscape

I have been working on this painting for the last few weeks... hoping to have it done before going to FL... and seeing the REAL EVERGLADES! but, alas.. I couldn't draw it to conclusion. I do like parts of it.. and I will finish it later. It's a nice composition ... and soon.. it will take on a life of it's own.


Pond
acrylic
25" h x 50" w
2009
unfinished

Cold Day- Acrylic

Here's to working on the acrylic of the swamp! i like the steps taken today... painting/repainting the water to pull it together. in fact, i really like the direction this painting is going now.

there's room for more work -- but... the richness and fullness are now back. The inky reflection -- is filled with depth and texture... greens and earth tones...

It really pays to stay with your work-- even when you feel like moving on.

Corkscrew Swamp
acrylic
25"h x 50"w
2009 unfinished

new swamp watercolor

here's about two day's worth of painting.... i LOVE the swamp! especially in the winter... when it's REAL cold outside my studio. i imagine all the warmth and humidity.. and pungent smells of heat and moisture.

so.. here's to the swamp!

on a side note... i found an old tube of WINSOR NEWTON Indigo [before 2000] and tried it in the background water. it is exactly the right binder that i'm looking for! now.. i have to find a suitable brand to replace W/N.

i wish i could document and visualize the nuances and changes that are frustrating me -- and convince W/N technicians to return to their old formulation!

anyway, here's to watercolor!


Swamp
watercolor
15" h x 60" w
2009 unfinished

Two Still in the Works-- acrylic

so.. .i'm still working on these paintings. it's been slow -- as the weather is cold and makes me want to hole up inside and NOT paint!

but... i managed to make a few decisions -- despite my reluctance.

i have loads more work to do ... but i feel that the swimmer one has a real chance to move now. i took some risks by changing the water.. and now i have to bring out the highlights and richness.

the upper swamp painting... needs to be set aside at this point -- so that i can gain a perspective. i'm too attached to what i've already done... and that's never good! i may even totally rework the water... so that it has a different cooler palette. but.. all in good time!

check in again later.. and you'll see progress.

Corkscrew Swamp
acrylic
25" h x 50" w
2008

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2008

Work in Progress- watercolor and acrylic

So.. i haven't added much to the blog lately... and that's because i haven't been excited about what's going on in the studio! but.. here's some new work... two swamp paintings...both unfinished... but both are promising.
the image is the same.... a view of reflection from the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary outside Naples, FL. i like the simplicity of the reflection... but working with the different mediums will change the final results enormously.

the approaches to each mediums are vastly different... and i won't go into that here. but... suffice it to say.. the watercolor has the reflection yet to be added.. .[probably Prussian Blue with French Ultramarine]... darkest values in the front... grading to lighter values towards the edge.
the acrylic, well.. there is so much layering yet to happen... glazes... marks, values, edges.. etc. i am also going to add the reeds themselves.. in lime green at the top. anyway, the development of these paintings can be tracked here...

also.. i added more value and detail to the pescados. i like the piece.. and am forcing the eye... more and more to the center image... the red gaping mouth of the fish. it's better to do finishing touches.. much later in a paintings journey... you are clearer and with more perspective.. less attached..


Corkscrew Swamp
watercolor
25" H x 60" w
2008

Corkscrew Swamp
acrylic/paper
25" H x 60" W
2008

Pescados
watercolor
22" H x 30" W
2008

American Contemporary Gallery- OPENING THIS FRIDAY

You are cordially invited to attend our Gala Holiday Opening on December 5th. This select group
of artists is exhibiting work that celebrates their insight and vision, ranging from the
clarity of seen images to the expression of those only felt.
Each body of diverse work invites the viewer on an exciting visual journey designed
to delight. We hope you and your friends will enjoy this show, the company of the artists,
and an evening that is sure to glow warmly in your memory.
Please join us for our gala opening on the evening of
December 5th, 2008 from 7-10 PM. New Visions runs through December 30th.
Need more information? Call or e-mail John at (410) 263-4800
or johnbodkin@AmericanContemporaryGallery.com
1851 McGuckian Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

I will be at the opening! I look forward to seeing you there!