Detroit at Christmas

For those of you that have never visited Detroit or have heard all the worst possible things about it overseas, I hope to give you a different view on our city. This is an aerial view looking down upon the ice skating rink located at Campus Martius, a city center in Detroit. The city is experiencing new growth at a speed that is remarkable. It has also become a haven for artist. A lot of artists in New York City can't afford the studio space or living space anymore so they are flocking to Detroit in groves. The rent is gradually going up but for now, it is very affordable for artist to rent out space. This scene has watercolor potential.

Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors

This past weekend, I became a member of the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. I had been invited to join this great group of women artists in the Detroit area. by local artist, Chris Unwin.  The society has been around for over 100 years. They sponsored a "tea" at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan and this was my first time meeting with this group. Here are some pictures from the event. Along with posting my artwork on this blog, I also like to post about any creative activities that I am involved in. The tea was an elegant affair.

French Lace

I am happy with the outcome of this painting!  "French Lace" is what I intend to name it because this was a window that I saw in Monpazier, France awhile back.  It is funny how sometimes you have an image of something for a future painting but think that maybe it won't really be a hit but as I was working on this one, I really enjoyed it. That is a good sign.  I have worked on other paintings that I was sure to be a hit but to my mind did not turn out the way I wanted it to.  The message is that you just never know when you sit down to that blank sheet of paper what masterpiece it might turn into.

This painting is 23" x 30".

New Hydrangea/butterfly watercolor

This is my latest painting.  I do not know what I want to title it yet.  If anyone out there can help me give it a great title, please send along your comments.  I have done this hydrangea in the past but from a different angle and format.  I compared the two.  The first one I did in 2012 and it went off to an international biennial. I did a better job on this one so experience does show that you do improve through the years of keeping at it. Look back at paintings you did 5 years ago and see if you can see a progression in your art. But please, if anyone has any clever idea of a good title, please drop me a comment or message.  Thank you.

Italian Villa Commission

I am now able to unveil my latest watercolor project!  I was commissioned to do a painting of a family villa in Italy.  Of course, I tried to have them send me there to do research work but alas, I worked from photos only.  I introduced a watermark effect in the foreground which is a family emblem located on a wrought iron gate to the family home.  This home has managed to stay in the family for many centuries.

I took photos of the progression of the painting which I submitted along the way to my client for their approval.

Low Tide-Mont Saint Michel

This is my latest painting.  I worked on a very ambitious painting of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, France.  I visited the monastery last year and it was amazing to see. 

The day that I went there, it was an overcast, on the verge of raining kind of day.  It was at low tide and approaching the site, there was a small sailboat embedded in the sand waiting for the water to come in to set it upright.

In this painting, I wanted to convey the mysterious feeling and age of this structure and the weather that day aided in trying to achieve that affect.  I put a lot of texture into this painting and was also pleased with the sky.  That was the first part that I had painting because if that did not turn out to my liking, I was not going proceed with the painting.  But as luck would have it, and after some practice, it turned out just fine.

The making of "Au Petit Versailles"

For some of my paintings, I recorded their progress by taking photos along the way.  I would like to share the steps it took to show the development of the painting to the final result.  So below are photos showing the gradual progress to this painting that might give some insight for other artists.

When all was said and done, I was happy with the result.  I did end up cropping a little bit off the bottom.  Thought it made a better composition.  As you can see, I also muted the background street scene to put more emphasis on the objects in the window.  I will gladly answer any questions viewers have in addition to what is shown here.

American Watercolor Society 150th Anniversary International Exhibition, NYC 2017

Hello from New York City!  Here are some photos from the AWS Awards Dinner at the Salmagundi Club which I was honored to of had my watercolor painting "Wisteria" accepted into this show.  Oh, and yes, you are not seeing things.  that is Tony Bennett at the affair receiving an award from AWS as an official honorary member.  It was a wonderful night.  I met Dean Mitchell, Joe Miller, and Lauren McCracken.  I got a chance to have a conversation with Antonio Masi also.  I came away with much inspiration.  Looking forward to upping my game even more with my paintings. 

"Bon Bons"

When I was in the Southern Region of France a few years ago, I was visiting a few medieval villages (as some of my paintings already show) and outside of one of the shops was this basket with hanging fuchsia and with this chalkboard sign that said "Bon Bons".  I simply liked it and decided to do a watercolor.  I learned something from this painting although it is not one of my best.  What I learned will take me into an idea for another.  Sometimes when you work on a painting that is more of an experiment and can be a stepping stone to another.  There is so much to do and learn in watercolor.

"Wisteria" Painting Accepted Into 150th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society

I am pleased to announce that "Wisteria" has been accepted into this special Anniversary Exhibition in the historic American Watercolor Society at the Salmagundi Club in New York City!  This out of all the shows that I have participated in is the most special to me.  I won the Gold Medal of Honor back in 2007 for my painting "Venetian Gold" and now I have the honor of returning for their special celebration of being in existence for 150 years.  The masters that have been part of this society through the years is impressive. Thank you AWS for letting me be a part of all this.