Peony

Have a brand new painting just completed entitled "Peony". It is 19" x 34" done on Arches 260 lb. watercolor paper.  I have been interested in doing florals and hope to continue adding to a series. I wanted to show it in a garden with rays of light hitting the pedals and creating shadows and shades of crimson pink surrounded by a seeded eucalyptus also caught in in the backlight of the sun.

Photos from Shenzhen International Watercolor Biennial

I wanted to share with you some photos that were sent to me by Maggie Wu, Assistant Curator for the Shenzhen Watercolor Biennial.  It appears to be a really impressive and well attended show in China.  I can hardly wait to receive the catalog from the show to see all the works of art that were accepted.  I am happy to be included in such a prestigious exhibit.  Only makes me want to pursue more and continue to keep refining my art and ideas to the next level.  Thank you Maggie Wu for taking the time to send these images. 

Judy Morris in Shenzhen, China

This is my good friend and fellow artist, Judy Morris with my painting in the show in Shenzhen, China.  I am grateful to her for taking a photo of it as I could not make it to China to see the show myself.  She reported back that is was one of the most top-notch shows to be in as the quality of the paintings were exceptional.  She said I should be very proud.  Which I am!  I have always admired Judy's work and it had been a wonderful experience to attend her workshop in the Southern region of France in 2013.  I hope our paths will cross again soon.

"The Bishop" accepted into Shenzhen International Watercolour Biennial!

I am so pleased to hear that I made it into the Shenzhen International Watercolour Biennial for 2015-16 exhibition!  Now I am beginning to believe that I have arrived.  I received this information from another artist that will be part of the show the statistics on how many entered:  233 paintings out of which 118 were chosen from 3,779 entries (2182 artists from 72 countries) worldwide.  I am honored to represent USA. http://www.shenzhenbiennial.com/

"Wisteria" made it into the 2015 National Watercolor Society Show!

Just found out that my "Wisteria" painting made it into the NWS show this year.  Very Happy!

The Whole Series

This is my series complete!

Traditions du Perigord

This is my last painting in my series of scenes from the quaint, medieval villages I had the opportunity to visit on a trip to the southwest region of France.  My goal was to try to capture the texture in watercolor of the buildings that dated way back to 15th century or was it 16th century?  In other words, it is old with so much history.  Once again, this was from the Village of Sarlat.  The wood is weathered and sagging in places but they are still standing and solid as a rock.

Wisteria

Wisteria is a flowering vine that I have been wanting to paint for some time now.  I finally did it!  Here it is and it took awhile.  During these long winter months, it was inspiring to work on something that would remind me of Spring.  I used Cheap Joe's Kilamanjaro watercolor paper 23x30 and Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors.

The Whole Painting!

Here is my latest painting "The Bishop".  It is called "The Bishop" because the mask has the name because of the shape of it's hat.  It is modeled after what bishops wear on their heads.   Along with the bishop is a harlequin mask and a bishop chess piece incorporated into the still life. The masks all come from Venice.  All of this is resting on a rich, colorful background and design from France.  I put this still life together in the summer and the light was filtering through the window and casting shadows and creating light and shaded areas on the subjects.  In the corners of the painting you can see some vintage script laying on the table.  I had hoped that the American Watercolor Society would have accepted it into the show this year but the judges did not pick it.  Other paintings and other shows to come!

New Painting Not Revealed!

I have decided to not reveal the full image of the painting just yet!  Why?  Well I don't want to show it probably until sometime next year because I would like to save it for entry into a major show.  This is a tease I know. All I can say it that it is another one of my "Venetian Mask" themes that I love to do.  The masks are my favorite subject.  This will be my fourth painting.  Between visits to France and Italy, I have gathered up fabrics, papers, and objects of all kinds that I use in my paintings.  Love the patterns and the colors.  Not to mention the cuisine of both countries!  The size of this painting is "22x30" done on Cheap Joe's Kilimanjaro watercolor paper which I happen to use quite frequently now.  I will show the complete painting in due time.  Or maybe I will cave and post it anyway.  I like to get feedback from other artists which is always interesting and informative.

67th Michigan Watercolor Society

 The 67th Michigan Watercolor Society had its opening reception on Saturday June 7, 2014.  Paul Jackson was the juror for this show and it was held at the Flint Arts Council.  This was my first time meeting Paul Jackson who I have admired for many years.  My painting was selected to be included in the traveling show!  From here it will be in display in Charlevoix, MI  at the Charlevoix Circle of the Arts.  From there it will travel to Lowell, MI and be displayed at Lowell Arts.  The last place in Michigan will be in Port Huron at Studio 1219.  

I am thrilled that my painting will be doing some traveling this year!
Schedules of the exact dates can be found on the Michigan Watercolor Society web page or at the above galleries.

Accepted into Michigan Watercolor Society Show 2014!

My painting "Pearl River Mart" has been accepted into the 2014 Michigan Watercolor Society show!  This painting was inspired by a trip to NYC and entering into a SoHo Asian market called "Pearl River Mart".  It is located on Broadway.  I loved the colors, rich textures and patterns of everything Asian in this store.  Paper dragons hang from the ceilings along with bamboo bird cages and paper lanterns.  The show runs from June 7-July 3, 2014.

Pearl River Mart

5th Arr.

5th Arr.

When traveling through France last year, I am continuing my series of paintings from that experience.  This is one from the city of Paris!  Found this interesting Parisian street art when wandering into the Rue de la Huchette area located in the 5th Arrondissement; hence the title of the painting 5th Arr or 5th Arrondissement.

The texture and shadows and the challenge of getting the graffiti to look spray painted in watercolor I thought would be an intriguing study and lesson.  No that is not me looking on!  A passer-by taking time to stop and look.

Discovered some new technique in texture. Might take a second look to make some additions yet but thought I would see if  I receive any feedback or reaction from this painting inspired by the streets of Paris.

Lot Gourmand-Finished Painting

So here is the finished painting.

Lot Gourmand

Here is another painting in my series from France.  I am showing how it was developed.  The area of "Lot" is the name of the region where the Village of Sarlat is located.  This was a merchant selling local delicacies.  Next door to his stand is a shop selling bolts of material.  I thought it made for an interesting painting showing the typical scenes of the village.

Overhead was a canvas canopy which put him in a shade of yellow ochre.  So I laid down a wash of yellow ochre over the areas that where shaded by the canopy.  The whites I kept for the bright sunlight that cast light on some of the objects.  As you can see, I went on to develop the burnt sienna shades of the wood sign and table.  Then I went on to develop other areas in this sequence.

Late Afternoon in Sarlat

I have just completed another painting in my series that I am doing from my travels to the Southern region of France.  This one is entitled "Late Afternoon in Sarlat".  It was a scene that I observed while in the medieval village of Sarlat roaming through the streets.  I saw this man holding his dog.  They both looked tired and ready to go home after a long day of walking around.  He was standing in the shadows of this old facade while further down, the sun was filtering in around the old stone buildings.   Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being there.

Perigord Truffles

I am starting to create some paintings from my travels to the South West corner of France known as the Quercy Region. I am experimenting to get the texture on the old stone wall buildings found in almost all of the quaint, medieval villages in this region.  This is a scene from the town of Sarlat.  They are known for their truffles and foie gras.  This is just one of many shops along the way that sell the truffles.   I love the old stone buildings.  You have to be there to appreciate how the town looks and feels to a new visitor.

I hope to create at least 3 more in this same size format as I have the perfect subject matter for this series.  I have to do some artwork from this trip.  It was too special and unforgettable to not put into watercolor.

A Couple More Sketches

I had fun with this sketch book!  As you can see from the photo below, I did a sketch of the grounds at Haut Baran. I intend to fill it up with small scenes in and around the country estate.  I was so impressed with it all, that I would like to devote this book just for that.  They are light, and decorative motifs with a little french flair.  It felt good to loosen up a bit from my usually tight, finished watercolors.  It is summer after all!

Watercolor Workshop at Haut Baran

I know it has been awhile since I posted something of significance on my blog!  You probably wondered what happened to me.  Well a lot happened.  I was out of the country and traveled to France.  There for 10 days, I signed up for a watercolor workshop with fellow watercolor artist, Judy Morris.  As you can see, we were at a beautiful location in the southwest region of France.

All I can say is that it was a wonderful, inspiring experience with the company of one of the most  accomplished contemporary watercolor artist of our era.  We gathered ideas, reference photos, and shared techniques.  I observed Judy teaching her workshops and it was marvelous. 

We traveled to local villages and saw much history in the region.  We saw outdoor markets and went to a brocante, (french flea market). Here is a sample of some of my sketches and watercolor studies from the trip.

The following are photos of our studio.

Hope you can enjoy these shots as much as I loved taking them and being there.  This was an experience of a lifetime.  Now on to doing some serious artwork.

New Website

I have been spending the last few months in re-designing and updating my website. It is finished and on the net.  I learned how to use DreamWeaver from my Media & Communications classes so I am able to design and make my own.  I don't care for the "canned layouts" that several company's offer and I don't have to pay anyone else to create it for me.  A win, win.  I have left room on one of my pages for future paintings purposely to get me into the mode of new projects.

To take a look, click on the following:  http://paulafiebich.com/

On my contacts page, I have a column of interesting related links.  One of them being a tour of General Motors Design Center video of where I go to work everyday.  It is a behind the scenes tour that is not seen by the public as it is a very much a high security building.  Don't want all those future designs leaking out.

"Going Green" going on Traveling Exhibition in Shanghai!

I received a very special present on Christmas Eve this year from the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition.  I was requested to have my painting be part of a traveling exhibition in Shanghai!

From 1.19.2013--1.27.2013 it will be on display at the CWI Children's Palace Shanghai.

And from there it will travel to the Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai.

It will be on display from 2.7.2013--2.17.2013

My painting is currently doing more traveling than I am at this moment.What an incredibly interesting opportunity!

NYC Deli

I have been working on a series of paintings of scenes and places in NYC. This one was something that attracted my attention not only for the large chocolate chip cookies in the window of a deli but also for the figure of this  man starring out the window.  The marquees were running their daily news stories and I imagine he was watching the news go by from his spot at this deli.  The reflections in the window show the news going by.  Let me know

you think.

Up to 25,000

Views that is! I am able to track the countries that view my blog the most.  Germany held the most views for many months this year.  The tiny island of Malta must love watercolors.  Spain!  There are a lot of watercolor fans there.  Everybody is interested in the Shanghai Biennial being held this year.  I was lucky to be a part of it.  I love seeing people from Italy and France especially looking at my blog as I love visiting there. Did I mention Belgium??  I should as both of my grandparents came from there and settled in the Detroit area in the early 1900's.  And of course the USA, my fellow American artists and friends across the country taking a look from time to time to see what I have been up to.

 I will try to add going forward not only my art but other things of interest connected with watercolor painting and will let you know what becomes of the Shanghai Show due to start at the end of November.  I would like very much to travel to all of these countries.  They are all in my bucket list of things to do.