Attention to Detail

The iris fascinates me...it is one of the most elegant flowers and has such dignity and grace.  If I could grow these little bulbs (and believe me I planted a number of them) I think I would consider myself a real gardner.

The next best thing is being able to paint them...I got a little carried away with trying to choose a purple/violet for these so I went wild and splashed it all on.  The bulbs package called these  "hollandica blue" but they are really very deep purple with a harsh yellow tongue (purple and yellow are complimentary color which means they should vibrate beside one another and make a brown or gray when mixed together).  Anyway, this is my effort at gardening on the easel: take lots of color and finish with a pencil!

The size is 8" x 6" and it is on a cradled board so the sides are painted yellow and inscribed with planting instructions.  I've also posted a photo of a detail shot...the real fun in doing one of these. 

If you need to send Mom flowers for Mother's Day and want some that will last forever, well, these are available!  Purchase here...Ooops: just SOLD!

A Tip of the Cap

A Tip of the Cap! These mushrooms were happy to be noticed on an early morning walk and seemingly tipped their caps in greeting.

Rendered in graphite on cradled board the piece measures 12 x 12 x 3/4" and needs no additional framing.  Watercolor washes and acrylic complete the palate of this mixed media piece.

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Humble Glory

Carns are the workhorses of the flower world: they fill in the gaps, they provide background color so others can shine, they get little acclaim, and they are cheap.  Maybe for all those reasons and more (they last forever, take abuse, and are always available) I happen to favor this humble specimen.  This is one of several pieces I have done featuring carnations and as it is on a black surface it is hard to photograph without a glare.

Actually this painting starts as a drawing: colored pencil, some china marker and graphite.  Then I add a bit of white acrylic paint and, just for some glory, finish with a bit of gold here and there.  It is all sealed and finished with varnish and looks elegant in its wide antique gold frame. 

You can see it at our Dec 4 studio tour....until someone plucks it to shine in a place of honor in their home.  (7 x 5 w/o frame).