Watercolors
521 - Blue Days of Fall,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
This is another of my "intuitive" abstract paintings in that I start with no particular intention in mind. Starting with the colors blue and burnt orange, I work with shape and line. For some reason, floral cup shapes come to mind and I paint them one after another. They seem to float as if they are wind blown. Perhaps, they are the remnants of summer flowers being gently blown away to make room for winter.
520 - Key of E,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
The title for this painting, "Key of E", was suggested by my husband. I liked it immediately because of the dual meaning. That is, either of music or a key. I particularly like the allusion to music as many forms of it are abstract. This particular watercolor painting was improvised - that is, I did not have a set outcome when I began. I added something here, then added something there while searching for rhythm and unity. Eventually, I came to a point where I liked it: the bass and soprano notes playing together.
519 - Cosmic Winds,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
Sometimes, things just happen. I started this painting with no preconceived idea. Working wet paint onto wet paper, I let the paint flow and mingle. Now what? By adding paint here, lifting paint there, I had a dialogue with the painting. It is strange how this process works. That is to say, sometimes the painting "insists" on going a certain direction. Other times, I find things to enhance. And, here we are with lines and shapes move that but, not in an earthly way, hence the title "Cosmic Winds".
518 - Double Spiral,$350 (Watercolor, 8.25" x 11.5")
This painting was an experiment in watercolor painting without preplanning. That is, I was challenged by Peter Bonner, instructor at The Art Students League of New York, to create a painting without a prepatory sketch. Working wet on wet, I set the stage by painting two big spirals in the center. Now what? The fun begins; painting here and there, the design emerges. The two interlocking spirals revolve around each, or is it an embrace?
517 - Spiral Gyre 6, $350 (Watercolor, 8"x 9.25")
Sometimes I get lucky and a painting goes smoothly. That is the case with "Spiral Gyre 6". It is the same design as "Spiral Gyre 4", with the arms of the spiral moving away from the center. While I push and pull with the watercolor, dropping some orange here, blue there, I like to think of the great spirals of the cosmos. Such a wonderful universe.
516 - Spiral Gyre 5, $500 (Watercolor, 10" x 14")
Sometimes, I like to paint the same design a couple of times. Change the color, size, and value, then you have a different painting. This painting speaks a bit softer than "Spiral Gyre 3". Maybe the spiral has settled in to a gentler mood.
515 - Spiral Gyre 4, $500 (Watercolor, 14" x 16")
With Spiral Gyre #4 of the "Spiral Gyre" series, the main spiral is starting to unravel. In this depiction, I wanted to hint at movement and depth. And, who knows, maybe the spiral will tighten up again as it spins around?
514 - Spiral Gyre 3, $500 (Watercolor, 13" x 17")
In this third painting of the Spiral Gyre series, I present you with a portrait of a spiral. And, this one has interlocking grooves and arms. It alludes to spinning, and yet it is stationary. Down in the left hand corner, a newer spiral is just starting it's journey. Who knows where it will go? Mainly, I like spirals because the, move in a circular fashion, but never come back to the same exact spot.
513 - Secret Garden, $250 (Watercolor, 8.5" x 11.5")
"Secret Garden" is about a special place of beauty and joy that perhaps resides within each of us. Sometimes, it is hidden by the events of everyday living. Other times, it reveals itself in surprising ways and when it's least expected.
511 - When the Music Begins, $850 (Watercolor, 14 x 20)
"When the Music Begins" started with a squiggle drawn in my sketchbook. Then, I started to build the drawing by adding lines, shapes, and tone. I imagine the process as being like jazz music improvisations. I riff on the shape of spirals, dots, and grids. The next thing I know, I see an image that reminds me of the music playing in my mind, complete with black and white piano keys.
506 - Spiral Gyre #2, $650 (Watercolor,21 x 15)
While imagining my next series of paintings, a spiral theme popped into my mind. I like the idea that life sometimes resembles a spiral. Much like a circle, it seems like we come to places that we have been before in our lives. But, theses places are not exactly the same because the context is different. Hence the spiral seems appropriate to me. And,it is fitting for me to resurrect the title "Spiral Gyre" from a 2008 painting and turn it into a series. The spiral continues and more to come!
498 - Three Minute Egg #14 , Blue Espresso Cup, $450 (Watercolor 17" x 14")
This is my 14th painting in the "Three Minute Egg" series. The defining moment was when I decided to make the espresso cup blue. It makes the small espresso cup seem more assertive. Plus, it was a fun exercise in orchestrating blues!
497 - Irish Breakfast Tea 2, $275 (Watercolor, 10.5" x 7")
This watercolor is the second in a series about Irish Breakfast Tea. As I understand it, Irish Breakfast Tea is served with milk so it seemed natural to add a milk pitcher to the composition. When I grew up in small town New Mexico, what I knew of Ireland was through St. Patrick's Day. In other words, the colors green and orange plus a shamrock. Since my youth, I've learned a few more symbols associated with Irish culture, like the triskele. That is the three joined swirls in the orange tea. And, then, I added greens and a shamrock to the painting for a tribute to Irish Breakfast Tea. Oh yes, I do like the tea.
496 - Three Minute Egg, Espresso and Timer, $650 (Watercolor, 18.5" x 13.5")
This is the 13th painting in the "Three Minute Egg" series of paintings. I am inspired by memories of Saturday morning breakfasts with three minute eggs. It was always sort of exotic. The egg cups came from our parent's time in Europe. It made breakfasts a little more special. I chose the colors to emphasize the idea of morning and happy memories.
493 - Three Minute Egg #12, $650 (Watercolor, 14" x 21")
My favorite things: egg cups, espresso cups, a timer and a spoon. I am reminded of special family breakfasts we had when I was young. It just seemed exotic to have an egg served in an egg cup. I loved dunking my toast in the egg yolk. The design of the painting perhaps emphasizes the idea of remembering the past. The items are simplified and expressive rather than realistic. Its about playing with shapes and color to create something joyful.