Day 23 A Childhood Landmark, colorful original Eola Park

(I think today is #23 and that means only 7 more daily pieces to go!  Yippee for me and thee.  Your comments have kept me fueled and challenged and determined to stay "at it to the end." thanks.)

A Visit to Eola Park

The past two days I have been in Orlando, FL...and although I spent my entire pre-adult life in the City Beautiful I could never recognize it today for all the growth and changes in the past 40 years. My Momma is now experiencing the urban life smack downtown where the action is.  Before dinner we took a lovely pre-sunset walk around everyone's favorite landmark: Eola Park.  It was comforting to know that some things don't change.

Eola Park Fountain

6 x 6 watercolor on paper

Childhood memories came rushing back of days when my Dad took my sister and I to feed the ducks, play on the bridge and enjoy the flowers (no, no, no, don't pick, just look).  I could feel the crinolines of the "sunday dress" I wore and how he made us feel like the most beautiful ladies in the entire park. ( sigh )  Of course the skyline has changed, beautiful public art has been added, the landscaping is now magnificent and so on....but the elegant (albeit dated in style)  fountain, the anchor of so many memories, the grand dame of the city, is still spewing water and looking regal.  And that was ever so comforting!

p.s. if you "know" Eola Park you may be intrigued to know that it was a sinkhole before it became a park, and that it was established in the 1880's when a donation of land was given to the City.  The donator's sons (the Summerlin family) chose the name Eola after a lady they knew.  Read more of the fascinating history of Eola Park and its famous fountain here.

matted in white to a standard 12 x 9

This will be offered this month for only $30 as part of the 30 in 30 challenge.  Check here to purchase or contact me at art@cindymichaud.com.  Shipping charges will apply.

Day #10: Provence

I wanted to do this photo from Provence because I loved the cool blues against the warm orangey color of the building.  But i also saw a lot of straight lines that really needed to be .... straight!  so, i cut these strips of masking tape (scissors helped) and laid them out on my paper.  I just peeled them off and moved them around until i had painted in a few of the longest lines in the design. i would have to punt on the windows and doors.

In retrospect this was a challenging picture to choose and not just because it is composed primarily of straight lines.  As i began i realized that my limited knowledge of watercolor prevented me from making the many shadows as interesting as i imagined them.  i couldnt remember whether they go down first or last and i got rather tangled up in the layering.  But i still think it came out as a crisp reminder of a lovely scene i captured one morning while exploring a small French village in Provence.

"Provence"

7" x 5"  watercolor on paper

BUY HERE

I feel funny referring to these pieces as my left handed work as there are many left handed painters who dont see this effort as a 'big deal.'  A friend suggested calling them my southpaw creations. One elaborated on this calling it spaw or s'paw for short. Another friend suggested the "sinistra series" as sinistra is latin for left side.  I've also seen such referred to as "off hand" or non-dominant hand work.  I suppose I'll continue to use a combo of all these references.  Whatever we call it, i appreciate your comments and support.  And it tickles me that many of you want to hang these "limited edition" masterpieces!!

Day 2 - tulips

It helps if everything is ready to go, no putzing around which risks putting off the exercise.  I gathered some magazine pics to work from choosing flowers and then later switching to figures...who knows if plans laid will be plans made?  Watercolor is not my medium so I have lots of experiments taking place here.  i think i shoulda coulda pushed the darks a bit more - however i have decided there is no way to fail if i get something, anything on the paper.  this might actually be fun.....

to view art by some of the other 300 participants in 30 in 30 

click here www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

Day 1: Quince

happy new year on day 1 of 30 in 30, right hand out of commission means slow, deliberate work.

i chose branches as they felt rather forgiving for a start.  try your computer mouse with your non-dominate hand to understand what i mean....well, here we go into 2014!  love the slate of possibilities....