NEW watercolor of BIRDS of PARADISE

Birds in Paradise --- this beautiful subject was found on my recent trip to Hawaii.

I was in a small market in KONA HAWAII. There were 5 gallon buckets of flowers available for sale.

Buckets and buckets of lush tropical flowers filled the tent.

These buckets of birds of paradise -- and helconium.

I am hopeful that this will turn out as lush as I intend.

Birds in Paradise

watercolor

30" h x 40" w

2011

in progress

SIX NORTH COFFEE COMPANY

The grand opening of SIX NORTH COFFEE is today! They are located on Clayton Road -- just west of HWY 141. It is a beautiful coffee shop/restaurant -- run by the ALTRUDO family. It is an independent, family-owned coffee experience~

I am thrilled and honored to be exhibiting my work there on an ongoing basis.

You can see a selection of THE ITALIAN SERIES today. Those paintings will be hanging throughout the summer and are available for purchase.

Maria Altrudo and her family has shown my work in their two locations for over 6 years -- and wonderful partnership of art and coffee!

Please stop by-- have a steamin' cup o' joe -- and enjoy the artwork. The food is spectacular-- and they are so friendly. There is even a DRIVE THRU!

www.sixnorthcoffee.com

Framing Framing Framing

Spent time framing in the last few days. It's always so rewarding to see work framed and complete. I am always surprised with how different watercolor looks when it's behind glass.

Many times..I will not think some work is resolved... but upon seeing it framed... it looks "better" than I initially realized!

Here are two paintings.... one from last fall-- one from this summer.

I like them both-- framing brings them both to completion.

Fruit and Fish

watercolor

15" h x 22"w

2010

Beside the Still Water

watercolor

40" h x 30" w

2011

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

Angel Trumpet progress

I am almost done with the second of the ANGEL TRUMPET paintings.

It's a more complex composition -- so taking a bit longer than the first.

I think tomorrow should finish out the day with it.

Angel Trumpet

watercolor

15" h x 22" w

2011

in progress

ANGEL TRUMPETS REVEALED! DOUBLE EXPOSURE!

Yes -- I have returned to the studio with work on my mind.

First, a proposal to ART PRIZE has occupied ALL my attention.

Second, organizing my thoughts for the upcoming exhibition in Washington DC.

Third, finishing the Angel Trumpets that I started a few weeks back.

The first jpeg is one in progress. It's a diagonal composition -- and very hard to keep grounded.

The second jpeg is a finished piece. I like them very much -- and hope to display them at Julie Malone's grand opening of her gallery in a couple of weeks.

Yay for watercolor~ I am geting the hang of it again.

Angel Trumpets 1 and 2

watercolor

15" h x 22" w

works in progress

Strathmore in Washington DC

I went to Washington DC this past weekend to take a look at the Memorials on the Washington Mall and the National Gallery of Art.

I met up with my brother in the top photo and Nick Simmons [ great artist and friend] in the bottom photo.

We visited Stratmore in Rockville MD. Gorgeous place-- complete with full-tea and waiters!

At the National Gallery we saw the VENICE exhibition, as well as the retrospective of PAUL GAUGUIN. There was also a new show on METZU- and relatively forgotten Dutch painter during the 1600's. Of course I loved them all.

It was so special to get away for the weekend. It helps to put everything into perspective.