"Last Burst"

8 x 6"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I started out painting very thinly with this one in order to get all the values down correctly.  Some places worked well thinly painted, so I left them.  Others I added progressively thick paint.  I'm very pleased with the results, but I'm glad this was a daily painting because I could see myself wanting to perfect every little detail, which may have resulted in overworked areas.

Reference photo was December 23.  Right before the big snow - thus the title.  It was windy and cold.  Not much blooming except for these hardy pansies.  I laid on the ground to take this shot.  Pansies are my father's favorite flowers.  So, here's one for you, Dad. 

"Passage"

5¾" x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Rough (Art Board)

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This one is a bit of a departure.  No little blurred circles in the background.  I was just taken by this photo.  I never move or arrange anything I photograph, so these two leaves were just sitting like this on the rock.  The rock, by the way, was a bit of a challenge to paint.  I probably spent too much time on it, but at least it shows the texture I wanted.  

Reference photo was November 17. I know. It's not very seasonal, but I promise to get better about painting from more current photo sessions in the garden.  In fact, today I had a great time taking photos in the snow.  We'll see how those turn out.  For now, enjoy the ginkgo.  It is my favorite fall tree.  This one's right by the Dawn Redwood.

"Feel the light"

6 x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I don't know whether or not this one was fun to paint because it was easy or easy because it was fun.  In any event, it went smoothly and quickly.  No frustration here.  I got new paints, linseed oil and brushes, so that might have helped some, as well.  I love the light in this one.  Just that hint of cobalt blue at the top lets you feel the light coming from above.  The photo really is not doing it justice.  I think I need to fix my set up to get rid of the glare on the dark backgrounds.

Reference photo was taken on October 16.  I got very close to these tiny little yellow blooms.  Wish I knew what they are.  They were on the terrace.  Here's a photo:

"Budding genius"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Artboard)

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Sorry for not posting on Friday, but I took a short break for my birthday.  I thought I'd have this one ready to post, but it just wasn't quite there.  I added a few details this morning to get it where it needed to be.  I'm very pleased with the contrasting colors.  The dark blue background sets off the bold pink bud nicely.  

Reference photo was taken on October 16.  You would not normally expect to see azaleas budding in the fall, but there it was.  I believe it was one of those year round azaleas.  It was located just above the wall right past Azalea Court.

"Ascend"

6 x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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First, I want to apologize for the quality of this photo.  It has a little more glare on it than I like.  The weather has not been cooperating in giving me the optimal painting photographing light. This image presented some real challenges.  The morning sun was casting that blue shadow onto the stones.  I also saw blue in the shadows of the yellow rose.  What I saw and what my brain was telling me I should be seeing where not the same.  Who to listen to?  It was a bit tricky.  Nice result, but I'll want to try a similar one to see if I can capture it with more ease.

Reference photo was taken on October 16.  It was that bright morning of rose photos.  I love how this one shows the steps leading down to the rose circle.  I also like seeing that cobalt blue shade. 

"Together but One"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Art Board)

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I played around a lot with the composition on this one.  I wanted it off center, but I also wanted there to be some interest in the background that draws the eye.  I was a bit worried that the background and the focal flower would compete too much.  It's a tight balance. This was the first time I tried the self adhesive board from Art Board.  I wanted to see if the Arches Cold Press would be different if I adhered it myself.  It was a little different, but not by much, so I'll probably go back to using their pre-mounted Cold Press.

Reference photo was taken on September 26.  Again on the terrace.  And again, I don't know the name of these little yellow flowers. 

"Sangria"

6 x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I got bright and active with this painting.  I worried at first that there might be too much going on in the background that takes away from the primary peppers, but I think the droplets added enough sharp interest to keep the focus on the main five.

Reference photo was taken on October 16 which was the same day that I took the "Droplet" photo.  I was initially attracted to these bright little ornamental pepper plants in September when I took the photo below, but I did not feel the lighting was right for a painting.  The early morning sun helped bring out the highlights.  These were on the terrace as well.  

"Mum's the word"

5¾ x 5¾

watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Art Board)

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I think I'm just trying to make it more difficult for myself.  What was I thinking with this image?  Lots of little detail.  I was just drawn to the buds and blooms at various stages of opening.  Love how chrysanthemums just explode with color. Individual blooms working together for one big pow.  Chrysanthemum, chrysanthemum, chrysanthemum.  A mouth full and a great book by a nice Wisconsin boy.

Reference photo was taken September 26.  Mums out on the terrace.  Love how Duke Gardens pairs them with this spiky spider grass (? - sorry I really should learn the names). Nice contrast of textures.

"Heart's done busting"

6 x 8"

Oil painting on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I love the color combination in this one.  That green is one of my favorite colors these days.  The background went quickly and smoothly.  I felt very confident sketching thinly with the yellow ochre before going back in with the thicker paint.  Very enjoyable.

The reference photo was taken on October 16.  I know this is a strange little plant, but I just love it and plan to paint more of them.  In fact, I have a very large black and white acrylic on paper painting of a hearts-a-bustin' I did a while back tacked to my dining room wall. Here's a photo of the large bush on the path leading to the Epimedium Collection.

"Droplet"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Art Board)

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What did I say about wanting to paint loose brushstrokes?  Guess that did not happen here.  I don't know why I kept it so tight.  I was really drawn to these lovely little water droplets, especially the one at the tip of the leaf.

Reference photo was taken on October 16.  I decided to go the the Gardens early to catch the morning sun.  They had just watered the plants on the walk down from the rose circle.  I took many photos of leaves with water droplets, and liked this one the best.

"The New Kid"

 6 x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I struggled a bit with this one and ended up re-doing the flower because it had gotten too tight.  I'm trying to keep the brushwork loose.  The background, however, came easily and I'm very pleased with my circles.  The softness is a nice contrast.  This new kid would be a great match for "Longing."

The reference photo was taken on September 26.  It was a great day for roses.  Please note that I've added some share buttons to each posting.  Use them to spread the word and share with friends and family.  That would really help me out.  Thanks!