MAPS June/July: Vincent Van Gogh

My study of Vincent Van Gogh's 1889 "Irises" oil painting.
14" x 18" Acrylic on Archival Canvas Panel

I was thrilled when I heard the MAPS Master to be studied for June and July was Vincent Van Gogh. I was lucky enough to see his original 1889 "Irises" this year at the Getty Center, and was mesmerized by the incredible detail and texture to his work. I was hoping to be able to replicate it, and thinking I had chosen a panel 1/2 the size of the original I set to work...My embarrassment regarding the ensuing faux pas is only exaggerated by the fact that being a sculptor I deal in "mass". I had in fact chosen a panel 1/4 the size of the original work...so much of the fabulous texture had to be left off.

I spent almost 120 hours on this piece. It became a true labor of love. And it was not until I got down to the dirt at the bottom, that I realized it was truly impossible for me to copy the strokes and colors contained in that small area. So I leave this as is. And totally in love with Vincent...who signed this piece with a Heart above his name. I have added it on my own study as it truly does belong there...to someone who so cared about humanity and it's sufferings.

Roses ala Van Gogh

Roses ala Van Gogh

12" x 16" on 140 lb Watercolor Paper

This is my version of one of the photo references given for the July 25th WDE. I am really pushing to get my study of Van Gogh's 1889 Irises done by July 31st...the closing date for this sessions Masters Study. It occurred to me after I painted this, it is totally VG-ish. Emersion in his style taking over I guess. Once I recognized what had happened, I kind of like this.

A Peaceful Sunset

A Peaceful Sunset

4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

This was an ad lib off a Ref photo for the July 25th WDE.

Inner Rose

Inner Rose

4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

Found this Rose near Rocky Mountain National Park. I really liked how it layed open, so thought I would attempt to paint it.

Tulips

Tulips
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

Much harder than I thought it would be. All the greens in this were overwhelming. Still, it's a pretty picture. I might like to try it again on a stronger surface though.

Finally Caught Up!

I have been so busy painting, I haven't had time to catch up my blog all month. So I literally spent the entire day posting the month's paintings. I am finally caught up, and am taking a few days off to spend time with my hubby.

Magnolia

Magnolia
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Damaged. :(

This was another of the July 18th, WDE reference Images. I tried to use the reference photo, and be more imaginative in my placement and handling of the Magnolia bud. I think up til now, that is something I really haven't thought about as I was so busy just learning about materials. But at least on these small pieces, I maybe can start trying to "own" them. I really like how I did the treatment of this compared with the photo. I tried to be much more imaginative with the flower placement, and the vines, and I like the coloration change I did under the vine. Just for something different.

Pigeon

Pigeon

4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

I started a waterscape scene from Roger's WDE image postings. They are all from places in Italy and such beautiful photos, they are hard to resist. I want to try reaching a little higher on this one. I found a block of 300 pound Arches Watercolor paper in my studio unopened! I am using it with acrylics to do a beautiful boat scene. It is turning out so awesome. I just hope I can keep from overworking it!

Since I am no way going to get this thing done in a day or two days, I'll be doing a lot of miniatures for now I think. Luckily Roger posted a lot of images that can work for that also, so I am set for a few days on my painting a day. But.... I think starting Tuesday, I HAVE to work on Irises during the daytime for the studio light…then I'll use the Kitchen table again to work on my boat scene and my painting a day at night. If this gets too overwhelming, I am so into the boat scene that I'd rather give up the painting a day for the rest of the week if I need too, so my palette doesn't get too dried up.

Milan Tram

Milan Tram
Acrylic on Archival Unstretched Canvas

Available

This was an image posted for the July 18th WDE Challenge. The Challenge this week was to take one of the images Roger posted from his trip to Italy, and simplify down the people. I think I picked the one with the most people, but I just loved the image. I may try it again, simplifying even more.

Day Off for a Photo Shoot

I took the day off from Painting. I kind of feel guilty, but my son treated me to a photo shoot and photography lesson, and since he is a fabulous photographer I took him up on it. I learned a lot about lighting and angles, and my camera....and got some fantastic landscape and floral shots for future use. I really needed a day of doing something different and still creative, and this was just perfect.

White Barn

White Barn

4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

Did a lot of odds and ends around the studio during the day today. In the evening I decided to do another image Elizabeth posted for the WDE July 11th Challenge.

Coneflowers

Coneflowers
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Sold

I didn't have much time today so decided to do the Coneflower image that was posted to the WDE challenge. It just came together like I was meant to do this one. It was total synchronicity, and I'd be keeping it for myself, if it wasn't going to a very dear friend.

Red Sky Meets The Trees

Red Sky Meets The Trees
10" x 20" Acrylic & India Ink on Archival Canvas Panel

I took out the mountains. Moved the lake down so you could just see it on the horizon. Colored it turquoise in keeping with the complimentary color scheme and the somewhat surrealistic quality I was shooting for. Used the complimentary color to make the evergreens, lake, and brush....and then...I decided to try using my archival India Ink pens that I had used on my drawing for the bare tree branches as an experiment as I didn't like how the brush strokes were looking.
It was an interesting challenge joining two different pieces together. I did make a few minor adjustments after this photo, just to help a couple small areas.

Just for Fun

I had the most beautiful palette laying in the studio, I think it was from Flamboyant. I was getting ready to throw it out to make room for the next painting...when I thought why not try pressing it onto canvas and see what happens...so that is what I did. I am still fiddling with the final framing, because it is so pretty there are lots of different ways I can position it. Kind of a fun thing to do. Especially on the spur of the moment.

I decided to change the Red Sky Painting I didn't like, and combine it with the drawing tree silhouette and go for a surrealism look. So started that changeover today.

WDE Tree Sketch

WDE Tree Sketch
India Ink on Drawing Paper

Today the WDE July 11th images were posted. I needed to stay in the house while workmen were here so decided to do a drawing rather than a painting. We were instructed to work 2 hours with the photo upside down, and then post it to the list. I didn't realize how long it had been since I've done any drawing..I didn't get to far. It was fun trying out my India Ink pens though.

Red Sky

Red Sky

10" x 20" Acrylic on Canvas Board

I had paint leftover in my palette from the Rose, so I decided to just try and use it up. I love the sky, but pretty much consider the rest of this a failed painting. I may just paint over it.

Flamboyant Flowers

Flamboyant Flowers

4" x 6" Acrylic & Rice Paper on Canvas Panel

Available

I really enjoyed creating this piece. I applied Rice Paper to a Canvas Board trying to get it to go where I thought there might be veining. Of course the Rice Paper has a mind of it's own. Hehe.

Then I painted acrylics both as transclucent and opaques, to generate the richness of the reds on the two Petals. These flowers bloom on the Flamboyant Tree, whose photos were given to us for reference from those in Puerto Rico.

(This was the July Different Strokes Challenge, and as I am posting in arrears, I'll post it for today as they have now been unveiled, and this is the day I actually finished it.)

Flamboyant Horse

Flamboyant Horse
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

I started my piece for the July Different Strokes Challenge today. It is based on a reference photo of the Flamboyant Tree that grows in Puerto Rico. For some reason I kept seeing almost a horse head shape in the reference photo, so I decided just to paint it to get it out of my system.

Get On With It

Get On With It
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Some days just aren't meant to be painting days...But sometimes it's necessary to work through the emotions Blocking your creativity, so you can get on with creating. That is kind of what this piece is about. Just Getting on With It.

Memories

Memories
4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

This was an ad-lib done with paint leftover in my palette from Winter Blues. It reminded me of some people and furkids from the past who were very near and dear to my heart. I really had fun playing with the colors in this one.

A Bit of Peace

A Bit of Peace

4" x 6" Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Available

It was a bit of a long day today. We moved the Flat Files that I purchased from my friend's estate, to the studio...so that was both a physical and emotional drain. They look wonderful in my studio next to his easel, so I have some great heirlooms to remember him by. Hopefully his amazing talent will rub off on me. :)

By the time we finished, I was only up to doing a small piece, and decided to use one of the demo's Steven Quiller does on his DVD as the basis for the idea. I painted this with acrylics on watercolor paper, then finished it off with Orange Interference Acrylic for a shiny, metallic at the top and near the water and I also used pearlescent acrylics to add some sparkle to the snow. I really enjoy experimenting with these fancy acrylics!

Rose

Rose

8" x 8" on Unstretched Canvas

I was able to get the colors much closer, but sadly, after three days of working this piece, the canvas just got too bogged down with overlays of paint to look nice. So I am going to let it go for now, and definitely retry this piece later, on a stretched canvas or maybe even a linen.

Winter Blues

Winter Blues

8" x 10" on Archival Canvas Panel

Available

I really had fun with this one. This is my second mixed media, or collage. Whatever you want to call it I guess. :) I used Rice Paper on a Canvas Board, and then painted over it with Acrylics, Irredescent Arcylics, and Pearlescent Acrylic for the water and in other small areas.

Rose - WIP

Rose
8" x 8" on Unstretched Canvas

I really needed something fun to do today. So I decided to try and paint a rose I took a picture of in the gardens at the Getty Center last month. I wanted to use the complimentary color idea for mixing so the colors would be purer. I didn't get the colors I was hoping for on this, so I am going to call this a work in progress, and attempt to get a little closer to the beautiful color of the real Rose I was so enthralled with.