Purple Iris Macro

I finished this one today.  It's a cropped version from one of  my photos from Presby Iris Gardens.
11 x 15

Green Abstract for St. Paddy's Day

Abstracts aren't my "thing", but every once in while I like to experiment.  This is watercolor, with touches of gold acrylic.  11 x 15 on Arches

Star Magnolia

I was inspired to paint this after seeing another artist post her painting on Facebook.  I do have a couple of photos of this interesting magnolia, but rather than try to find them among my disorganized files, I just googled it and found one that didn't appear to be copyrighted.   The painting that inspired me was done in only French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna, with a couple of minor touches of raw sienna and sap green, and was very striking,  so those are the colors I used.   I am going to try to use this as a demo for my senior class tomorrow.  I want them to see what can be done with a limited palette of my two workhorse colors.   11 x 15 on Arches

Amaryllis Terra-Cotta Star

This is a painting of one of my latest amaryllis "Terra-cotta Star".  I ordered it and another purple one from a bulb company because the colors in the catalog looked pretty, and different from the usual  ones I get locally.  In the catalog, this one was a much darker color, mine is more peachy than terra-cotta, but pretty.  It bloomed three times!!!  11 x 15 on Arches.

Negative Painting Daisies for Senior Center Class

I did this as a demo for my senior center watercolor class on negative painting.  It was not my usual way of painting, but there are a number of favorite artists who do wonderful negative paintings, and I wanted my class to try it.

First painting of 2020 - Poinsettia

I painted this in early January, but it needed some adjusting to make it really pop.  I finished it today.  Luckily, the plant is still alive and well and available to pose for me.  It was a Christmas gift from Stephanie Phan.  Thanks, Stephanie!  11 x 15 on Arches

A few new ones

Wow!  I knew that I hadn't posted new paintings recently, but I didn't realize that it had been that long.  Here are a few new ones that I did this year.  The roses were from a photo I took at Rohsler's Nursery in May.  The iris is from my garden - I had a wonderful display of irises this year.  The tomatoes are some that I picked from my/Kevin's garden.  And the last one is my attempt at an abstract.

Fall Painting on Masa

I've done several watercolor florals on Masa paper, and I love the effect.  But ever since I saw Cheng Khee Chi's landscapes on Masa, I've wanted to try one. Here is my fall landscape, with my daughter and grand-dog taking a walk in the distance.

Flowers in the Church Courtyard

This is a semi-abstract of some flowers that I found in our church courtyard.   I painted them wet-in-wet - inspired by the techniques of Karlyn Holman.  Painted several weeks ago.  11 x 15.

Anna's Floral Bouquet

I started this at my friend Anna's house, using her flower arrangement for a model.  My idea was to do it in a style made famous by Karlyn Holman.  I REALLY struggled with this painting.  I pulled it out in the end, but I'm not entirely happy with it.

Tulip Time

I've used this subject before, and maybe this title too.  These tulips lend themselves to experimentation, and this is a new design that I tried, imspired by the work of K.Holman.  11 x 15 on Arches.

Abstract

I decided to try my hand at doing an abstract the other day. I was inspired by watching a video by K.Holman.   I've not been too successful at these, so I don't try too often, but I had a lot of fun with this one.  Halfway through, it reminded me of fireworks, and when it was done it looked more like balloons, so I titled it "Celebration".  This is 15 x 22 on Arches, textured with coffee filters, saran wrap, and gauze.

Iris Sketch

I sketched this iris yesterday in my backyard, in my 9 x 12 Super Aquabee sketchbook.

Daffodils

I painted most of this one from life, but the flowers didn't last long enough for the background and some details.  So I just finished this today.  "Daffodils" 11 x 15

California Succulents

California Succulents 11 x 11

Amaryllis 2017

Almost every year around Christmas I buy an amaryllis plant, and right after the new year I plant it and watch it grow.  I love the big colorful flowers, and I enjoy sketching and painting it.  Most of the time there is a second blooming after the first one dies out.  Waiting to see if that happens. 

Gelli Prints

Not a watercolor this time.  I've been making gelli prints with the Gelli Plate that Joan gave me for Christmas.  Here are a few that I kind of liked.

Merry Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends.  This was my Christmas card this year, thanks to my two youngest grandchildren, Louis and Mary, who were kind enough to pose for me.  

"Hello, Autumn"

"Hello, Autumn" is a half sheet watercolor, done from a photo that my son, David, took while on a hike last fall.  I liked this photo so much that I did it first as a 5x7, and then had my beginner watercolor class at the senior center attempt a simplified version of it it, but it just called for a larger painting.  I'm happy with this, the first half sheet landscape in quite a while, and a pleasant change from florals.

Justin's Bird

This is my painting of a bird done with permission from a photo taken by my grandson, Justin.  Justin takes great photos, and I'm looking forward to painting more of his subjects.  11x15 on Arches.