Friday, February 27, 2009

outstanding orchard

I was thinking of this painting of an almond orchard in the late afternoon light that I painted 2 years ago, as I rode my bike today. I was looking of the color of the blossoms on the trees. I've seen the flowers close up I know they are white, maybe a little bit of a pink cast. In the late afternoon light they start to look lavender and even blue. I was surrounded by orchids, the white flowers turning cool toward the end of day. There was an illuminated quality to the trees, thinking of this painting I thought that it was to dark, the orchards were glowing bright today. When I turned back heading west rather than east I saw the landscape's  intensity matched the color and tone of this painting.
48" x 48" oil on canvas

I went to the art store with a gift certificate I received for a birthday present. I knew I wanted to start this new series of floral related paintings. I needed canvas. They did not have one size I wanted, so I had to re-figure the size relationship of the paintings I am about to do. They will be a little smaller then I had thought, but I'm working with a deadline and the new size fits my concept just as well. I left with 9 canvases, and 17 cents in change. It reminded me of being in grade school, first, second or third grade. I had a quarter. It did not happen often that I had so much money to do with as I wanted. They sold soft pretzels in that school. Yes, I grew up outside of Philadelphia where soft pretzels are a part of everyday life. Someone would come to each class every day peddling pretzels. they were a nickle each. I found out I could buy 5 with my quarter — so I did! It felt so decadent, even though I did not know that word. Buying all the canvas today and reaching so close to the total on the certificate brought back the same decadent feeling. 

Thursday, February 26, 2009

agapanthus


This is the first posting on this blog. I not totally sure even what the address of it is. When I first started a blog I ended up making 2 of them, who knew.

I'm thinking this space will be dedicated to track a project as it develops. I have an art show at the end of next month, I'm thinking that I may need to do something new. My thoughts are to focus on doing some floral paintings. I've done a few of these in the past and liked the results.
8" x 8" oil on board
This painting of an agapanthus head was painted in my Modesto studio, so it must be about a year and a half ago. It amazing how long ago that was. These are one of my favorite flowers, Its blue! what more do you need. Growing up in PA blue flowers were not common. In CA they are like weeds. Often called roadside lilies.