"Bold Sentinel"

8 x 6"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

Sold

There are several things that I love about this painting: the color combination, the strong directional lines, the depth of field, and the soft background camellia.  I worry, however, about that big, bold, dark green leaf.  Does it overpower?  It's one of those times, you just have to sit with it for a while.  It definitely makes me want to keep looking at it.

Reference photo was taken on December 27.  More camellia buds basking in the sun after that snowy day. These were also up behind the new fish pond. 

"Solo"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Rough (Art Boards)

$75 + $10 shipping within the US

The hardest part about painting this one was getting the underside of that sideways leaf the correct color. You'd think dark green since it's in the shade, but it was reflecting the snow, so had a gray cast. Tricky.  I think I pulled it off.  Also worked hard to get the main leaf to look waxy and thick. Again, a bit tricky, but it turned out to my liking. Still, it took longer than expected, which is why this is posted today and not on Friday.  Hope to get back to posting three a week.

Reference photo taken on December 27. Yes, that same snowy day.  This lucky camellia bud was in the sun, so all the snow had melted off.  

"Patient Camellia"

6 x 8"

Oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

Sold

Thank goodness for snow days!  I got this one done in one sitting. Hopefully I can get more done like that.  I'm particularly pleased with the shadows on the snow.  

Reference photo was taken on December 27.  It was a fun day to be stomping through the snow with my sister-in-law and young niece.  This Camellia bush is located up behind the newly renovated fish pond. I took a "winter wonderland" photo of the terrace:

"Thawing Beauty"

5¾ x 5¾" 

watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Art Boards)

Sold

Sorry for the long hiatus, but hopefully this one will be worth it.  I've got a new job which will make it difficult for me to paint daily, but I'll post as often as I can.  Once I was able to find the time, this one actually did not take as long as it may appear.  I love the contrast between the soft background and the sharp berries.  It's similar to "Droplet" in that respect.

Reference photo was taken on December 27, the day after the "winter wonderland" snow we got in Durham. This is a beauty-berry or callicarpa cathayana. I remembered to take a photo of the sign this time.  There's a beautiful bush located just to the right of the path close to the parking lot as you are coming up from the Gate of the Maple Stream.