Hydrangeas, Fall Transition

 

Hydrangeas in the Fall, 2021, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

I love painting flowers.  I love the intricate detail of each petal; its color, texture, form.  I also love the way the flowers sit in their surroundings submerged in verdant greens.  This is a large painting which will occupy my time, but provide a challenge that I am in need of.  Hydrangea blooms, if left on the bush, toward fall will turn pink and green as they dry.  Looking at this composition I see a need for more activity to the left.  

Oranges with Green Plate. A Work in Process

 

Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

This work is back on the easel after a month.  Each time I start a new session, I see the cloth differently.  I believe that taking the photo from above the table has created a problem with the way the oranges seem to float on the cloth.  They even appear a bit flat to me.  

Meanwhile, Seasonal Changes

 

Left: Cranberry Bog, Spring, Right: Cranberry Bog, Fall
Oil on Panel, 16"x12"

Both paintings will be submitted to the Copley Society's juried member show, Seasonal Changes. In this thematic show, to be held July 29 through August 29, artists are asked to depict various interpretations of seasonal changes and variations. The cranberry bogs immediately came to mind for me as a perfect visual for seasonal change. When spring arrives the brown winter bogs turn a deep alizarin red.  Then, as the berries form and ripen and ready for harvest in the fall, the color becomes more pink and crimson.  

One Month and Several Paintings Later

Sunrise, 2021

These sunsets and one sunrise were all completed for the Marion Art Center's Arts in the Park summer festival to be held. They are all small with four of the 6"x12" and one (the sunrise) 9"x12".  I have been fortunate to see some fantastic sunsets.  Living on the Atlantic Coast offers opportunities to combine the sunset with water.  

Cardinal with Paintbrush, 2021, oil on panel, 10"x10"

Also finished for Arts in the Park was a male cardinal perched on a paintbrush.   

 

Oranges with Green Plate: A Work in Progress

 

Oranges With Green Plate, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

This painting is intended as a companion piece to Oranges with Cobalt Vase.  The plate is glass with some design etches.  I'm hoping the etching will offer as much interest as the reflections in the cobalt vase.  The cloth will be a true blue, not a found blue as in Cobalt Vase.  

Oranges with Cobalt Vase

 

Oranges with Cobalt Vase, 2021, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

The final stage for this work was to refine the oranges and make them appear to 'sit' on the cloth. The point of view and the light source created difficulty in achieving this.  I still think there is some push and pull going on that could confuse the viewer.  

Blue Bird with Paint Brush, Work in Progress

 

Oil on Panel, 8"x10"

I'm working on a few small pieces while finishing up Oranges with Cobalt Vase.  This is one that I will submit to a show in which I have been invited to participate.  The Marion Art Center participates in the town's Arts in the Parks event with a booth.  I have been asked to submit about 15 small pieces.  

My "In House Critic" and I built a blue bird box this spring and hung it on a tree facing the marsh.  To date there are no inhabitants, not even pesky sparrows.  Last year we did spot two bluebirds feeding on the suet and were hoping that meant a possible couple would come and stay.