"Pebbles" (Study in Orange and Blue), 30" x 44", watercolor on arches

I loved this image as soon as I saw all these small stones on a Cape Cod beach. I thought it would be a challenge and wasn't sure I could get the look I wanted. With such a complex and all-over image where all the stones are more or less alike, I wanted to simplify the color to keep everything congruent. I chose orange and blue because I could get some varied grays, blue-grays, browns, oranges and gray-browns with those two colors alone. I still think it might need some work but I'm happy with the image as it is - at least for now! The bottom image is the first stage and was posted earlier in this blog.

Please join us at the 81st Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft taking place at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Friday June 24, 2016 from 6-8pm through September 4, 2016. The above piece, "Puddle" was chosen as part of this exhibition. 

What an honor it was to be in the company of so many talented artists, and what a great night with a wonderful turnout. Congratulations to all the prize winners! 

Follow this link to the Fitchburg Art Museum:

http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/Regional-Exhibitition-of-Art-and-Craft.php

This is the final version of "Under Water" 30" x 30" x 1.5", Oil on Canvas.This piece is currently showing at ArtsWorcester Terra Firma group show from May 6, 2016 through May 27, 2016. Opening May 6, 2016 6:00pm-8:00pm.

ArtsWorcester Aurora Gallery
600 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610

508-755-5142 (p)
508-797-0976 (f)
info@artsworcester.org

Hours:

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-4pm.
Please feel free to contact ArtsWorcester to set ulan appointment outside of those hours.

Reflections

                                        Puddle, 44" x 30", w/c on arches

One of my favorite subjects - reflections. This large watercolor (44" x 30") was inspired by the reflections of trees in a small puddle. As I walked quietly in the woods, suddenly I caught a glimpse of the sky on the ground, looked closer, and saw the trees and sky reflected in a puddle full of leaves. The puddle wasn't more than twelve inches or so wide. I was immediately drawn to the wonderful contrast of blue and orange, the broken, mosaic quality of the submerged leaves, how the leaves interacted with the reflections and how rich the colors appeared. I did some sketches, noted the colors quickly with watercolor and took a couple of reference photos. I knew I wanted to make this small moment large and watercolor not only presented a challenge; it was the perfect medium for the subject. To get the light blue sky to really contrast with the orange and brown leaves, I used Chinese white (a semi-opaque watercolor) mixed with cobalt blue over the original painted leaves to get the effect of submerged leaves and branches you see above. I kept one yellow leaf floating on top of the water also for for contrast.

There is beauty everywhere in the woods. I don't know if anyone else ever walked the same path I did that day or may have seen this small moment of beauty in nature. In making this small moment large I hope when people see it, it may inspire them to notice small moments more often.

More Work in Progress

Still a painting in progress! Oil on Canvas, 30" x 30". I know I've been a bit obsessive with this painting but I wanted to show the differences, and how far this painting has come. The top painting is the most recent stage. I will continue to work on it until I am satisfied. I feel it is just coming alive in the above image. This isn't the only piece I'm working on - I always have about four or five in various stages of completion. I'll be posting other pieces soon.

Works in Progress

More updates on my shore paintings, and still not completed. A recent trip to Maine has me working on a few more paintings for this series which I will post soon. The small, common and overlooked object or image can be just as interesting and just as valid as any other image an artist may choose.

More Beginnings

An update to the painting in my post last month. The underpainting is disappearing, the stones are becoming more solid, the stones underwater appear submerged. More work needed to get this piece how I want it.