Enlightenment

This is a painting that have revisited. I did one a few years back but was not happy with the result. I still wanted to paint this buddha statue and worked hard to not only come up with a different composition, but also to capture the stone work with its textures. I am happy with the result. What I am most proud of is the texture on the statue that was created with different watercolor effects. He holds a single blossom and is surrounded with tropical foliage. This was on on Arches Rough watercolor paper.

 

"Reaching Out" Accepted into NWS Member's Exhibition

Received word over the weekend that my painting "Reaching Out" has been selected to be in the National Watercolor Society Member's Exhibition for 2021! If you have been following my blog at all, I posted step-by-step video or images of how I developed this painting and now it will be part of this exhibit.

Mat Barber Kennedy is the juror of selection and awards for the show this year.

 

Watercolor Wednesday's-My Beginning Watercolor Class of 2019!

Here is my beginning watercolor class. They passed with flying (watercolor) colors. I had them do a tropical sunset scene. They were taught how to do a sunset with 3-color gradient wash. For their first time, I thought it came out well. The classes are held at the Anton Art Center in downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

The Year of the Dragon

2012 is the year of the Dragon!  Here is a painting that I am currently working on to celebrate.  Again on a recent trip to NYC, (I should just move there I think) going through the SOHO area there is a store called "Pearl River".  Love this store for the color explosion and intriguing items from the Orient.  They have paper dragons hanging from the ceiling, lanterns all over and bamboo bird cages.  I have been harboring some photos that I took and am now bringing it to create my first painting of the new year.  What better than to start off with a dragon theme in honor of the Chinese New Year.  Here so far is my step by step progress on developing the painting.

Discover & Download Revisited

I started this painting last year. Liked it but was not satisfied with it.  I put it aside for a few months and got it out again during my time off in December.  It was a good thing that I did not scrap it, because looking at it again, I made some adjustments to it that seemed to suit me better.  This is the result.  A little background on the painting...took a trip to NYC what is now a couple of years ago and took some pictures while in Times Square.  Just the place for someone who like a lot of 'eye candy' in their paintings. What I adjusted were the people in the foreground.  I put them more in the shadows. I enhanced some shadowing and some reflections.  All in all, I will now have it part of my new collection for the new year.

Solo Show-GM Design Center Gallery

I am having a solo show coming up this month at the General Motors Design Center Gallery.  This is my first solo!

Thanks to the GM creative design department, this is the poster that they designed to announce the exhibit.  They incorporated my Reflections III painting to use as the background for the type and design.  It will be running from 10.20.11 thru to 11.28.11 with the opening reception on 10.20.

I will let you all know how it goes.

Venetian Gold on Front Cover of International Artist Magazine

About a year ago, I received an email from Vincent Miller Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of International Artist Magazine in which he was interested in doing an article about me and my watercolor art for the magazine. There was a file sent as to what kind of information they were looking for and the structure of how to send everything to the magazine. I was just getting back to work about that time after a long layoff from the automotive industry here in Detroit and still going to school to pursue my digital art and animation degree so I didn't send it off right away. About three months later, I thought I should pursue this and plug along with getting all the package of information they wanted me to submit. I got it all done and sent it off to Australia where the magazine originates from.

I have been busy. Very busy. It crossed my mind a few times but thought maybe they decided not to do anything with it. I went out to my mailbox this last Thursday after getting home from work took out the mail, carried it into the house and let it sit there for a few before I went through my mail.

I had to do a double take when I got to my April/May copy of International Artist Magazine. I took one look at the cover and I was at a complete loss for words. There was my painting "Venetian Gold" on the cover.

It took me by surprise! Thank you International Artist for the honor!

Latest News Bulletin! Made it into International Artist Magazine!

I just received word that my painting "Going Green" is going to be published in International Artist Magazine April/May issue. It is part of their flowers and Gardens competition. Now I have to get busy and write some info about the painting i.e. inspiration.

Glass Reflections III

After spending more time on my digital work and not enough time on my watercolor painting, I have completed number 3 in my series of glass studies watercolor paintings. This is one of a Murano glass bowl by Fratelli Tasi in Venice and of Paper Nautilus shells that I happen to be lucky enough to have in my collection of interesting objects. They are rare finds in that, they rarely wash up on beaches because they are delicate shells that crumble before being able to do so. If I have my facts correct, they are shells from baby octopus. They are related to the Nautilus shell family.

I happen to get my hands on them from an acquaintance who received them from a friend living in South Africa and saw them on the beach and sent them through the mail to him. He didn't know what to do with them and asked me, the artist, if I would want them. Of Course!

I love the play of light on glass that is why I have done a series called Glass Reflections. They are abstract in nature but yet representational. Any comments on my latest addition is welcome.

Going Green

The painting that I have been posting on my blog in stages is finished. There might be some slight twiking here or there but will be minimal. You have to know when to quit. I find that after I finish a piece, I can't really see it anymore. I have to get away from it. This was one of my largest paintings that I have ever done. You learn something with each one. I believe I will call this one, "Going Green".

TWSA Show

Well I am back from Kenosha and the TWSA show. Some very interesting and good art and some that were a matter of taste. This is me with my painting. The gallery was first rate along with the placement of the paintings. While I was there, it was rainy and cold. For June, this seems strange. So much for global warming.




The highlight of my night was getting to meet John Salminen. We sat together for dinner and had some interesting talks. For those of you reading my blog who don't know John Salminen, I will post a link to his website under interesting websites on the right. You will see why he is a prominent and leading watercolor artist of our day. For those of you who do know, know that I was lucky to have had the opportunity to talk with him.

I also saw the works of of Cheng-Khee Chee up close. He also attended the dinner. It was good to see Judy Morris again and hopefully we will run into each other again. I will also have a link to their sites as well.

Progression

Before I go off to the TWSA show in Kenosha, I wanted to post my progress on the "Going Green" painting. I'm starting to develop my dark green in the background and layering in the seeded eucalyptus.

Latest WIP

I am working on a "going green" painting. This is just the start of a rather large watercolor. The flower is a Hydranga. Just starting and documenting as I go.