Covered bridge close-up

And now for something completely different...it's a unique view of a red covered bridge in Northfield Falls, Vermont. This was done during a paint-out event for the VT Watercolor Society. It was a great, sunny, warm day with the babbling river gurgling under the bridge and down the hill. The occassional family and dogs taking a dip made it all the more lively. (22"x15")

GaGa over Green

Just finished my first workshop titled "going green" at the Holbein art event. Had a great group of ladies and all worked hard with limited pigments and a limited subject. The objective was mixing your greens either on your palette or your paper letting watercolor do it's magic. This is a painting that consists of many different greens that were handled just that way...lemon-greens, grey-greens, blue-greens..etc..etc.. 22"x15" We worked from a picture of a primarily green still life set up..also had some real still life subjects in the room..not easy.

3 French Hens

My postings will be a bit sporadic this week...because I'm teaching a bunch of classes and will be in and out at various times...so check back to see what's new. So these "3 french hens" will have to keep you company for a few days! Thanks for all the comments recently! Here are some "colorful" white hens. (11"x15")

White Peony

I used to shy away from painting white flowers, because I just love color...but it's amazing how much pigment you can sneak into a "white" flower shadow and the negative spaces.

Field of Red

A larger version of field poppies...this painting is half of a full sheet the other way...so 11"x30". I like trying new sizes and shapes of paper..it makes you think about your composition even before you start putting your brush to work!

Blue Blooms

A slightly abstracted look at a field of Irises. Trying to use some gimmicks and tricks like bubble wrap pushed into the wet paint. You can see it in the olive green circles on the left...If you don't try the different techniques you never know how they work...and if you want to keep using them or not...(22"x25")

How now brown hen?

A slightly unusual view of the average chicken. Photographed some more hens and a very proud rooster the other day...I kept chasing him down and he wanted nothing to do with me..good thing I had a zoom on my camera! Was invited to participate in another "anniversay" show...so the schedule is busting at the seams! (7.s"x7.5")

Double Pop

Some news to share...the painting from the previous post just won an award of excellence at the Grafton, VWS show! Pretty cool! The opening reception is this Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Hoping to be able to attend. Today's painting is titled "Double Pop" and measures 11"x15".

"Orchid Dance"

Okay I'll get this over with quickly...boo hoo to my team the Netherlands! That's all I'll say. This painting will be in a group show in Grafton VT for the VT Watercolor Society. It's our 2nd annual juried awards show... Hope I have a chance to get down there to check it out! I haven't painted many orchids, but find them really interesting. This one is 22"x15".

"Dressed for Company"

I don't paint on full sheets (22"x30") very often, but when I do I feel a real sense of accomplishment...it's alot of space to cover! But I approached this painting in sections...almost like a puzzle and piecing together the blossoms and the greens, like Pacman gobbling up white paper and filling it with pigment!

"Henpecked"

This lady looks like another painting I did a little while ago...same position, but slightly different in details. I could paint her over and over again...the feathers are so much fun, plus the color combinations can be changed. Alizarin with Prussian, Sepia with Violet, Ultramarine with Magenta..well you get the idea...plus I get to experiment with mixing on my palette vs. on the paper....choices, choices...

Wold Cup fever

I thought I'd repost this image in honor of the Dutch reaching the World Cup finals! Yahooo...I painted this from a photo I took while in Holland...the windmill is actually a giftshop and to the left there is a pancake house....Is there an IHOP in the statue of liberty? Didn't think so...but maybe a Starbucks! hee hee.

"Fiesta"

It's hot! Humid! and Hazy! Without studio air conditioning it makes for slow progress in terms of getting anything done...but try I shall. My last garden tour event was cancelled due to rain, but I am scheduled to be in a garden this Sunday for a different tour..we'll have to see what the weather will bring! (15"x15")

"Intricate Array"

Happy Fourth weekend everyone! This painting reminds me a little of exploding fireworks...Those big chrysanthemums in the sky...well they are stargazer lilies instead. I used horizon blue and turquoise blue in the background, which is a bit different for me. (15"x15")

"Fancy Pansies"

Purple pansies...I let the colors mix on the paper and then added extra brushfuls of (clean) water and let the blooms just run freely. I think that blooms or blossoms work well with floral subjects. It makes for a more organic, less stiff looking flower. (11"x10")

"Rhythms"

Here is another piece from my show in Stowe. (15"x22") I can't believe it's July tomorrow! Time is flying and we've had a rainy couple weeks here...some nice bonus days in between, but just not enough. Let's hope for a great July and August! I'm off to run some art related errands and then it's a jump into the studio to work on the next round of projects...If you have a chance check out my work in the Richeson 75 show..it's online now.

"Warmly Glowing"

My opening at the gallery was fun this past Saturday. It was a rainy evening and I was competing with the US soccer game against Ghana, but I saw a bunch of friends and my family came along and the show looked good under the bright spot lights of the gallery...it's always nice to see a gathering of your work together in one place. Not just stacked against the wall of the studio! (10"x22") I'm going to try to give you sizes when I post...I've been asked a few times...sorry

"Hot footin'"

Have a great weekend everyone! This guy is ready to step out and have himself a good time. Winsor Violet for the purple glow of his feathers and then dropping in clean water to get those lighter blooms. The green of the background is working yellows and blues together and letting them blend on the paper. Ultra blue, Perm. Yellow Lemon, Prussian, Cad. Yellow lt. Quin. Gold. Working them in layers and letting areas dry in between, adding more water and pigment and doing it all again to get that burnished look.