Whimsical

There is something to be said about letting your inner child out and play. After a day of sketching playful, amusing little characters, I decided to turn one of them into a painting.  Here is "The Butterfly Queen"  painting and the progression. 

A painting for family

 This project was so much fun. I was asked by my stepdaughter and son-in-law for a diptych for their home in Texas. I sent them many sketches and they found one they both liked. I warned them that my work always evolves as I progress with the piece and they seemed excited to see what I was going to come up with. This is the initial sketch.

Then I got to work and the piece totally transformed itself. I wanted it to be colorful, energetic  and joyful because they are such a fun couple. It is now drying and will be sent to their new home in a few weeks. 

Burst of Color

 

   Something definitely happened to me after having painted an all blue painting! I think I went into shock and had to snap out of it by using the brightest colors I had! Now I feel like myself again!!

Two painting and the process

    

   We finally moved into the new house and I have my studio all set up.  I love it and get right to work on two pieces. I feel newly inspired by my surroundings and paint! 

  

 

A Pink Day

 I started this beautiful day enjoying the sunshine illuminating the grasses by the river which had all turned pink. By the end of the day, I had a little pink painting. 

Shape

 

   A day of exploring a small mushroom. Color was not important. Only the shape, light and shade were detailed.

Something different

 

Here's a challenge! I definitely had to force myself to stay within the guidelines I had set for myself : one color! This one was done with love for my wonderful husband. It actually turned out to be a lot of fun but there was a definite backlash in my next painting.

     

Finally finished

 After a few months of travel and a break from this painting, I was able to finish it. Departing from my usual saturation of color throughout the painting, this one has some calmer white spaces to give the viewer's eye a rest. Most of my pieces depict earths riches in plant and rock formations.