December 2014

Zinnias in Orange. Watercolor 10x14. Arches cotton cold press paper. W&N watercolor & brushes.

September October 2014

Ran out of paper and ordered Arches 140lb as its rumored to be about the best. Giving it a try. Mean time, the last painting on Strathmore 140 lb, which is a good student grade. Here's one I just finished entitled "Copper and Garlic" left on sizing grid; unframed because of glass glare. Can't wait to start on the Arches paper.

August 2014

Watercolor of a photo from a friend in Belfast, N.Ireland. It's of a stonework castle called Dunbrun in Ireland. There are so many castles in Ireland that are mainly in a ruinous state, which I believe adds to the interest, however, I do love the castles and Abbeys that are still standing from an architectural point of view.

July 2014

Just a few watercolors I've managed to do this month. 

Holland Power 

Shell

Desiree Gardner

The Gables

A Bed & Breakfast

 Gondolas in Venice

 Titmouse

ArchETextire

May and June 2014

Of the acrylic paintings:

"Venetian Masquerade" 16x20" stretched cotton canvas.

 "The Charles Morgan". 16x20" stretched cotton canvas. 

Mother's Day Bouquet

Now for the watercolors: 

Blushing Pear

 Dee's Rose

 Vermeer Study GWAP

 Vermeer Study GWAP

 Della Salute

 Iris

 Peachy Drippy

 Pear Stumped

 Poppies in a Crystal Vase

 Rosebud

 Yellow Tulips 

 Vines Too

 Early California 1916

 Red Poppies on White

Yellow Tigers

More Tall Ships - Bits of American History on Memorial Day 2014

I have become entranced by old sailing ships, whatever their purpose, especially the Tall Ships. One of my very best friends informed me last week of her trip to Connecticut (she was born there) and of the 38th sailing of the newly restored Charles Morgan whaling ship setting sail from Mystic seaport. Built and launched in 1841, the Morgan is now America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat – only the USS Constitution is older. 

Therefore, I decided to do a painting of the ship which is partially complete. It's been kind of hard to find anything online regarding what the boat looks like before restoration so I've cobbled many references together to paint her. Most references were paintings of her and other similar ships of the genre. You can find more information at The Charles Morgan

Also, in light of it being Memorial Day, I want to leave you with music from my great uncle, Dudley Buck. His chorale works from the 1800's included organ music of our National Anthem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEqTAArQpyo

It's still April and I have new paintings. Yay!

Still painting in watercolors, when I was doing some research and really started getting interested in the Dutch Tall Ships (pre Columbus). So, naturally, I had to paint some of the images I had seen on the Web. Not in an attempt to copy for sale, but for educational purposes.  

On the other hand, if someone made an offer on a Renoir inspired painting like the one below inspired by Renoir's "Portrait of a Young Woman in Black", I would certainly take it.

This one I call Yesterday's Section. A somewhat dried out section of tangerine on a ceramic tile. Watercolor on hot press Fabriano. 9x12"

I have another but the glass was cracked when it was being framed, so there will be a delay.