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Hello faithful friends. I know it has been a long time since I have posted. This watercolor was done a while back and always reminds me of my grandmother who loved Queen Ann's Lace. While this is not a current painting, I wanted to post an original in celebration of my new site on Fine Art America. Please check out the link above. (Also check out the slideshow to the right. It has a link as well). You will be able to purchase prints from paintings you enjoyed from this blog. FAA offers many size options from greeting cards to 30 x 20 canvas giclee prints. You can even get pillows and/or iPhone cases. It's so cool to see my images in this format. I've uploaded 15 of my favorite paintings from this blog to start. I'll be adding more later and have plans for new paintings!  Yes, I am back to painting again. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Youthful glow

 

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (by Ray Mar)

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I'm back and hopefully will be posting on a consistent basis throughout the summer.  I had a lot of fun with the background on this one.  I wanted to keep it soft and blurred to make the rose bud pop.  Enjoying my blurry circles.  With the bud, I worked to get the smaller detail to help make it the focus.  

Reference photo was taken on May 16.  These peach roses were in full bloom on the path leading from the Dawn Redwood to the lake.

Pears for Fun

6" x 12"

oil on canvas

NFS

I'm just playing around today.  Thought I would take up the Daily Paintworks Challenge.  Carol Marine and friends post a weekly challenge to daily painters.  This one was actually posted a while back. It's the 10 minute challenge.  I put a timer on for 10 minutes and painted a pear in each 3x3 square.  The object is to get a feel for the object in terms of brushstrokes -- squinting and simplifying.  It was hard for me to stay away from details, but I'm hoping this will help my paintings to have a looser feel. I'm happy that I improved as I went. There is a week gap between the first 4 and last 4, so the pear is different.  I think I'll use this exercise as a warm-up to painting my flowers. 

"Purple Passion"

6 x 6"

watercolor on aquabord (by Ampersand)
$75 + $10 shipping within the U.S.

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Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I promise to be better.  I've been crazy swamped with substitute jobs and just wiped out tired.  It's always good for my soul to get back to painting. Here, I wanted to loosen up and play with the colors on the board.  I let them bleed a little. I'm happy with the results.

Reference photo was taken on April 13.  I'm not sure what this little wild flower is.  I found it peeking under some bushes above the wall right as you are walking towards the wisteria pergola.  Anyone know what it could be?

"Standing True"

 

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (by Ray Mar)

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Happy Easter, all!   First I need to apologize for the photo quality on this one.  The colors are a bit washed out.  I had the hardest time getting the colors correct.  The blue sky is not as cyan as shown here and the lavender flowers at the bottom have more magenta in them - a deeper purple.  When I get those colors correct the red in the tulip becomes way too saturated.  I don't know why my Canon could not get the colors even.  As for the painting, I probably fussed too much in the details, so it took longer than it should have.  I think I need to start timing myself, so I get more spontaneous brush work.  I wanted to soften the edges in the background, though, to give that out-of-focus effect.  

Reference photo was taken on April 13.  The clouds were so lovely that day, I just had to back up and show them off.  Loved the unique color of these tulips as well. 

"Tickled Pink"

6" x 6"

watercolor on aquaboard (by Ampersand)
$75 + $10 shipping within the US

This painting came easily.  I finally felt more comfortable working on the aquabord again.  Also, you can rarely go wrong getting good contrast when working with complimentary colors.  The pink on the green background was able to pop nicely.

Reference photo was taken on April 13.  The tulips were just amazing.  They'll be ending soon, so if you are local, get to the Gardens!  The color groupings are lovely.  More to come.  They are so tall, too.

"Ruby Awakening"

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I was searching for good contrasts to paint and decided on this ruby tulip.  I really like the reflected light on the bottom of the petals.  It's tough to get those colors right.  I feel this was was quite successful.

Reference photo April 10, 2010.  Admittedly this was shot a year ago, but the weather and my schedule were not cooperating.  I knew the tulips were up and anxious to get to the gardens to take many photos.  Luckily I was able to a couple of days ago and got some great shots.  Get ready to see many tulip paintings coming up.  They are just lovely right now.

"Bell Flower"

6 x 6"

Watercolor on aquabord (by Ampersand)
$75 + $10 shipping within the US

I'm finally back to painting on aquabord.  Ampersand had been back ordered on their small aquabords for months.  Apparently they've come up with a new mixture for these clay coated hardboards.  So far I can't tell any difference from the earlier ones.  I'm glad to be able to use these again.  Love the way you can lift the paint off easier to lighten areas and create highlights.  

Reference photo taken on March 13.  These lovely little flowers came from a Bell Flowering Taiwan Cherry tree.  There are a few to the left of the rose garden along the temporary path made while they work on the new rose garden.  I believe they are putting a fountain in the center.  I loved the shape of these little blooms.  The painting almost looks like an azalea, but the flowers actually hung down like so:

"Cheerful Return"

6 x 8" 

Oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I am so happy to be back posting a painting again.  I am long overdue.  What a crazy month it's been.  I attempted to post last weekend, but did not complete the painting to my liking.  It was my first "wiper" as Carol Marine would say.  I think the problem was that I attempted a subject with too much small detail (a Japanese flowering apricot bloom).  It would be much better suited to my detailed watercolors.  The oils should have bolder, larger brushstrokes.  So, I started again with a bolder, larger subject with this daffodil or jonquil.  My friend, Hunter, called all daffodil's jonquils.  I'm not sure I know the difference.  Anyone?  Or is that just another way Virginians like to set themselves apart from the rest of the Union?

Reference photo was taken on March 13.  It was such a warm Sunday afternoon.  The gardens were full.  This particular daffodil was enjoying the day with her buddies on the terrace under a gorgeous blooming saucer magnolia.  Look for that painting soon.

"Oh, So Sweet"

5¾ x 5¾"

Watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press (Art Boards)

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I am sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I have been crazy busy teaching kindergartners, and last weekend I took a much needed break and went skiing.  The photograph does not do the blues justice on this one.  I waited too late in the day to take the photo, so had to resort to scanning the painting.  My scanner does not always produce the richest of colors, so it's slightly flatter than the original.  The trickiest part of this one was getting the outer petals to look slightly transparent.

Reference photo was taken on January 23.  This is the most amazing Fragrant Wintersweet tree.  I was walking up the path from the Asian collection, when the air was filled with a wonderful sweet aroma.  I looked around and saw this fabulous tree whose yellow buds were just beginning to open.

I could feel my whole body relax as I stood taking long deep breaths of this luscious fragrance.  I wanted to replicate that experience yesterday, but while visually the tree was beautiful and in full bloom, the aroma was not as strong and intoxicating.

Note to self: visit the Wintersweet in late January, or better yet - plant one in my yard!

"Face It"

6 x 8"

Oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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My goal in this one was to use fewer brush strokes and to be sure I got it complete in one session.  I accomplished both, though it was harder to stay loose with the smaller strokes in the more detailed middle of the flower.  I found it near impossible to get the true pinks I wanted with these oils.  The lighter pink became more opaque than I wanted.  I need to figure out how to mix a good fuschia.  Not sure it's possible.  Still, you get the idea of the bright light hitting those petals.

Reference photo was taken on January 23, 2011. It was a beautiful and warmer day, so I was hoping to find more camellia's opening up.  Could not find any fully open that also had good lighting on them. This one was near the President's Bridge as you are walking on the path towards Azalea Court.

"Warming Up"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Hot Press (Art Boards)
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Well, I'm back.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been very busy with my new kindergarteners -- assessing, lesson plans, report cards -- and it's just worn me out.  I finally feel like I'm caught up, so can find more time to paint.  This is the first watercolor I've done on Hot Press paper.  This paper is very smooth, so it should allow me to be very detailed.  At the same time, however, it doesn't let the paint play as much, so it's harder to get those nice blooms that watercolor is known for.  

Reference photo was my favorite snowy day - December 27.  This is a glossy abelia that was peaking out of the snow. I loved the yellow against the blue sky.  These bushes are right by the Ayamebashi (Iris Bridge) near the bamboo.

"Bold Sentinel"

8 x 6"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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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)

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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)

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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. 

"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)

$50 + $10 shipping within the US

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.