Two Collages Accepted

I just got word today that two of my pieces have been accepted into the Coos Art Museum's On the Cutting Edge 2009 Exhibition.

 

Caribbean Cornrows I
18 x 21

 

29 x 21

Clear Sailing

The paintings will be on exhibit December 11, 2009 through February 13, 2010.

I have been riding high recently in terms of paintings being accepted and honored, but I know things can easily go the other way. What I am trying to do is keep my expectations reasonable. I have been on the receiving end of more rejections than acceptances over the years!

If you enjoy looking at art shows on line, the Hawaii Watercolor Society has already put the 2009 Open Show up. You can view it at: http://www.hawaiiwatercolorsociety.org/ss09openwinners.html

October's Before and After

As I mentioned in my last blog, my critique group was meeting. I had only 2 paintings to take and I knew Rodeo Nights had a lot of problems. I got a lot of helpful ideas to improve much of what needed fixing. I also got some good ideas from my readers. So here is the before and after.

 

Rodeo Nights 17 x 22 Before

 

Rodeo Nights 17 x 22 After

Most of the improvement was in the bottom of the painting, eliminating the "pear shape."

The floral painting had minor adjustments. Can you find them?

 

Jungle Ginger 22 x 30 Before

 

Jungle Ginger 22 x 30 After

New Painting --Abstract Wild Ginger

After the news of my painting Orchid Eruption taking the Best of Show Award, I was inspired to create a new painting based on the same premise: take a floral theme to create an abstract painting with shape, layers, collage and black acrylic paint. So here is the first step.

 

Here is the painting after developing the shapes with transparent watercolor only.

 

Next I looked for old paintings and painted rice paper with colors that would match and enhance the painting.

 

Here is the painting with the collage applied.

 

Finally I was ready to add the finishing touches and last edits. I stuck black construction to the painting to determine where black acrylic would emphasize the composition. I added some spray to soften some of the white shape, making the center of interest clearer. I applied the black paint and added some lines. For now I'm done, but I'm sure I'll get some helpful comments as I send this out. Also on Friday I'll take it to my critique group.

 

Wild Ginger 22x30

More Fixing than Painting

I was inspired to paint these dancers after photographing them at my cousin's wedding anniversary this summer. I began the collage part first and then moved on to painting the figures and thinking about patterns.

 

At this point I fell in love with rose patterned boots. But as I painted more of the figures and the patterns developed, I could see that the boots stole the show. Unless I named the painting "Boots" they had to go.

 

So the boots got lifted out and I integrated the boots into the painting more with less obvious pattern and toned down colors. I lightened the face and legs of the female figure, too. But now I was dissatisfied with the skirt and bottom of the painting.

 

I put blue into the skirt and liked it much better. The male figure's shirt got more detail with some added blues to indicate his arms, collar, etc. Then I did an awful goofy addition to the bottom of the piece. What was I thinking!

 

Finally, I simplified the bottom of the piece, while keeping their dancing boots appropriately obvious. I may not be done, but I'm much closer. I'd love some feedback. Can it be improved? I know I'll paint this again.

 

Rodeo Nights 21 x 17

Big Happy News

Today I got a call from Hawaii letting me know that "Orchid Eruption" won the Best of Show award at the Hawaii Watercolor Society Open Show in Honolulu. This is my first ever top award in any venue and I am really thrilled. I personally love this painting, but that has nothing to do with how a juror might respond to the painting. In this case, the juror, Ann Pember, paints very realistic flowers, so the fact that she chose this very abstract piece is interesting.

 

Further art news, I attended the Watercolor Society of Oregon convention this past weekend in McMinnville. I enjoyed reconnecting with friends and being around so many wonderful artists. "Caribbean Cornrows II" made it into the show, but did not win an award. It will be hanging in the McMinnville Aviation Center for the following month and returning to me at the end of the month.