Worked mostly the foreground and then the distant trunks. The foreground is Brownish Madder. Magnificent isn't it? Working with translucent colors like these on white board is similar to the glazing I've been doing on gold leaf. But, I intended it as only a wash. I'm intrigued enough to experiment with it later. The quality of the chroma is so rich.

Went back onsite today to make some more sketches. As a result, I noticed some light and form changes. The painting stage is still focused on ground color and aerial perspective. The color is much more chromatic than the past pieces.

Highbush Blueberry, Spring

After much sketching, I've started the 3rd series of the Highbush Blueberry. Same size 34" x 24", oil on board. I'm changing the composition a bit from the drawing, putting the bush more in the middle ground and reducing it's size to fit the canvas. It will have more of a composition like Fall. Concentration will be more on color and less on form. Then for Summer I will return to a closer view of the branches as in Winter. I keep humming Louis Armstrong.
I found my thrill ......on blueberry hill
On blueberry hill ......when I found you
The moon stood still ......on blueberry hill
And lingered until ......my dreams came true

(the wind in the willow played.......love’s sweet melody
But all of those vows we made...... were never to be)

Though we’re apart......you’re part of me still
For you were my thrill......on blueberry hill

New Works

New Works for Judith Klein Gallery.
Gold leaf and oil on 4 panel board. 8" x 12"

Orphic Hymn 16 to Hera (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) :
"O royal Hera, of majestic mien, aerial-formed, divine, Zeus’ blessed queen, throned in the bosom of cerulean air, the race of mortals is thy constant care. The cooling gales they power alone inspires, which nourish life, which every life desires. Mother of showers and winds, from thee alone, producing all things, mortal life is known: all natures share thy temperament divine, and universal sway alone is thine, with sounding blasts of wind, the swelling sea and rolling rivers roar when shook by thee. Come, blessed Goddess, famed almighty queen, with aspect kind, rejoicing and serene."

Hera, Protectress of Women

This painting is more or less finished. An identifier will be added to the stem/band across the blouse And there may be some tweaking here and there. I learned a lot about this style. For one, the composition needed to be more completely exact before painting. Unlike landscape, this imaginative format was more difficult to make changes as the work progressed. Each little paint change shows the previous brush strokes. And much younger eyes and hands are required for such detailed and fine work.

Hera, Protectress of Women

Most of the work now is cleaning areas and refining details. I added a gauze veil, but my house critic thinks it looks like a tan hat. He doesn't care for it. I will add and identifier along the sienna band at the bottom. Perhaps Goddess of Marriage or Spirit of Women.