Mysterious Duo

I'm obsessed with mono prints. I've been playing and experimenting with the geli plate. This print was derived from one of my repurposed plein air sketches and multiple print applications in charcoal and pastel. The pastel and charcoal paint transfers were lifted with acrylic medium and paint.

Beginning Dahlia

Painting these dahlias have become a ritual.

Off Kilter

The first title is the one you see. I painted this on site and must have gotten crossed eyes during the process. Sometimes the petals can be confusing. That's the beauty of plein air painting for me.

A Delicate Balance

One of the kitchen counter flower series.

Yellow Hibiscus

Painted en plein air in a private garden.

Plumeria

Have a wonderful week all.

Two And A Half Royals

This painting was initiated on site and of course finished later. My tools were Fabriano toned paper, brushpens, fountain pen and posca markers. I so wanted to cover the background but a part of me likes the background as is. These royal Lilies are part of Pam's garden. This is pure conjecture but, I think these originated in her mom's garden. Its funny the first painting I ever posted on my Daily Paintworks site was "Arlene's Poppy" which was from her mom's garden. I remember taking the photo when I first met her.

All Glory Fades?

I try to paint each stage of the florals life. This includes the eventual wilting, falling off the stem and ending up in my kitchen sink. The shapes become more complex and the colors change. I posed the question in the title because of our societies obsession with youth and beauty. I try to find beauty in all stages of aging because I was raised that way. That translates into my approach to painting florals. Lately I've been frustrated with the quality of flowers that are available for purchase. This year more flowers will be added to my garden.

This is an Agave that grew in my old hood prior to the February freeze last year.

Died Lavender

Another in the kitchen counter series. I call this one died lavendar because I think these flowers weren painted this color by the florist. Do florists paint flowers?

The Star Lily

The title came to mind because of my focus on this one lily from a full bouquet of flowers that were on my counter.

The Show Off

I've been working from life with floral arrangements. This is one that started out as a fountain pen rendering of course watercolor was added later. I usually have a floral arrangement in the kitchen and living room. I do multiple drawings on various surfaces and paint them later. It keeps my eyes fresh and I think its good to draw from life.

I made this little painting in the spring at the botanical gardens here in Austin. I was working in the center garden as you enter. I used red Canson paper as my surface.

Garden Buds

Happy new year. I hope this post finds you well and happy. I painted this piece in Pam's garden. The calla lilies were blooming as well as various other plants. Her front yard is now filled with succulents. It was fun to photograph. I liked these two buds because of the difference in their individual lines. I used a bamboo reed to do the initial sketch.

Slice of Spring

I saw these daffodils growing by a tree in my hometown.

Sketchbook share. Characters from a recent trial.

Unstable Storm

This is an older painting that was inspired by northern California. Its an oil on copper piece. I was taken with how the storm stirred up the surf and the sturdy rocks.

Sketchbook share.

Garden Glads

Another painting inspired by Pam's gardens. These gladiolas were growing out front. I liked the new blooms and the variations in color on the petals.

Sketchbook share.

Almost A Dance

A few weekends ago I noticed these flowers near the Westbank Library. Later that day, I went over and did the initial drawing for this painting. I worked on arches hule paper which is for oils. I finished the painting from memory later. This is one of many flower portraits done that day.

Passenger sketch on the way to San Francisco.

2016 First Tulips

I purchased tulips last weekend and got in quite a few paintings before the flowers transitioned. I worked on Garza Papel with Daniel Smith watercolors. The initial drawing was done in red ink. I haven't been posting enough. I am painting and filling sketchbooks but not posting. Not good. When I get home lately I just want to sketch, paint, chores and not be at a computer. From my Union Square sketchbook.

Ballet Flowers

I painted this during my first plein air painting excursion in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I have shot many photos there, but this was the first plein air experience,. I didn't get too far from the gate.

Speak To The Hand

I started out with an under painting in oil on Uart paper. The flowers were on the counter top and I painted each one as a portrait. When I looked at this piece on screen, I immediately thought "talk to the hand". Hence the name. Some of the oil under painting peeks through and adds little interesting passages to get caught up in.