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.

The American Museum of Natural History

On my trip to NYC, I met up with an artist friend that works as a staff artist at The American Museum of Natural History. I got a behind the scenes tour at the museum of where the exhibits and dioramas are worked on. All extremely interesting. What was an interesting connection was how similar materials are used in the creation of show cars for the auto industry. Animals are carved out of dense foam, clay armatures are created and fiberglass molds are used. There is an area where airbrushing is used and areas of casting certain parts.

Check out my link to Joi Bittle-Knights website to see some of her extraordinary work.

Accepted into TWSA

Just heard word last week that my painting Reflections 1 will be part of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America show for 2009! TWSA has strict regulations when it comes to paint materials and technique. Such as, this show is strictly for artists who work in transparent watercolors only. No opaque, no acrylic, strictly transparency. I really favor this idea because when it comes to "watercolor societies", it was my impression (before I became involved) that that was what they were all about. For most of the others, you can use acrylic, tempera, casein or a mix of several just as long as the paint base can be diluted with water. And you can also use yupo paper or canvas panels made for watercolor along with of course watercolor paper. But to me, if you are going to do something on canvas to have it look like an oil painting, why do you want a watercolor to look like a transparent oil painting?

I am a purist. All my paintings have been done with transparent watercolor. That is what I like about watercolor. For this society in particular, even painting somewhat opaquely will not be accepted. My painting is simple, but it does show the transparency of the medium and I believe that is why it was chosen.

The show is going to be held at the Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The opening is June 6, 2009. Judy Morris, who in my book. is one of the best watercolor artist around has been included in the 2008 edition of "Who's Who of American Women"," Who's Who in the World 2000", and" Who's Who in the recent addition of Who's Who in America". Wow! That is a lot of Who's Who!

Study in Glass

Here is "Glass Study 2". The second in my intended series on glass. These objects were placed on a mirror so as to achieve a lot of reflections. The material that is swirling around the glass objects was a gauzy, unique scarf purchased while in New York at one of the top museums there. I find that the museum stores carry some very interesting scarfs with interesting and different patterns that I use in a lot of my watercolors. In this case, it has added an abstract background.

I like using light to achieve different feelings and effects. I believe now that after many years of painting with my favorite medium of watercolor that I am starting to achieve just that.

"Cinema Paradiso"

I've included in my videos this week, scenes and music from the Italian film "Cinema Paradiso". It is a good movie. Has sub-titles but did win an academy award at the Cannes, film festival. I would recommend watching this movie this summer.

New York City-Art Trip

I have been meaning to write about my recent trip to New York which took place at the end of June. Posted down below are some pictures taken which I am sharing for a time. The trip was especially interesting for me as I got to meet some living, breathing, and working artist living in the city. I visited the studio of Greg Kwiatek, and of Gene Binder who owns a gallery in Marfa, Texas. I also met with some exceptionally good artists living in Long Island City. Hi to Nick and Joi.

I traveled with a special friend, an art collector, a supporter of the arts who made it possible to put into contact with these people. Every step of the way on this art path has lead to some very interesting times and experiences and people as I am now continuing to grow and change.

In my interesting links column there is a live webcam from Greenwich Village. Live from the Big Apple

New Painting

Here is a new painting of a scene that I saw in the old town part of Nice, France. It was early morning actually on a Saturday when the outdoor markets are open. The light and the colors in Nice are out of this world and I can see why artists take up residence in the south of France. Painting is representational but very abstract. A study in linear elements. The striped pattern reflected Nice itself with the open air markets and canopys.

The shop to the left holds the memory of me going in there and walking out with a french L' Toile quilt that I could not resist. The price was too good to be true but as I found out later it cost me a fortune to have it shipped back home. I did not want to carry this on the plane with me what with all the searches and scans you have to go through. But it was worth it because of the memories. My friend, who offered to carry this for me for the rest of day, could not believe that I bought a bedspread to begin with.

Painting remains unnamed at the moment.

Pierrot

This is a latest and newest painting to my mask series. Pierrot is the name of this mask as it depicts a character that is known for being sadly in love but his love is not returned. Pierrot is also known for being naive and taken advantage of by being constantly deceived. That is why he has such a sad face as if to be crying.

I was attracted to the whiteness of the face and the black accents. I placed the mask on top of a draped very colorful, translucent scarf which emphasized the stark whiteness of the mask. In the background there are fine grey horizontal lines with a vertical stripe on the right side of an interlocking chain pattern design. The mask is definitely based on a french character and once again I like to give the mask some depth and feeling. This one also, I believe, has an oriental feeling of design. It is just the way it evolved.

BEST IN 2007

This is the Jan./Feb. 2008 edition of "Watercolor Artist" magazine previously named Watercolor Magic which will be available in art magazine sections in prominent bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders. They have included the best of watercolors for 2007. These are paintings that won a major award and they are all wonderful artists. I am pleased to be among the award winners and took great pride in a quote from Dean Mitchell regarding my painting "Venetian Gold". I respect Dean's work very much. His work is among the best.

The editior's note on page 4 has a quote from yours truly in her column. Everything is absolutely true and now I know where I stand in the international art world. This year has been the most transitional year of my life in a very good and yet sometimes unsure way. I guess that is what change is all about.

Good things can happen when you least expect them.

Diego Rivera Mural

For those of you that have never visited the Detroit Institute of Arts, there are hugh murals that Diego Rivera painted in one of the main halls of the Museum. It was interesting to see them as a back drop to the huge party that was taking place within the hall itself. To be able to sit there sipping a glass of wine and enjoying a seafood cocktail in the midst of all this artwork was really not an experience that I had pictured myself doing anytime soon. It was like being at a fancy restaurant that Diego just happened to be called to decorate! How cool. This is another photo taken to accompany the article below regarding the gala.

Detroit Institute of Arts Gala

Hi everyone from the DIA gala! It was definitely a night to remember. Interesting entertainment, interesting food, interesting art and people. I took some time away from my own artwork and painting projects to attend this red carpet extravaganza. For those of you viewing my blog and do not live in the Detroit area, the DIA has undergone a major renovation plus expansion. The museum has been under construction for the last three years and was closed a good part of 2007.

On November 10, they rolled out the red carpet (literally) for a fancy get together for anyone who was willing to pay between $2400 to $200 per ticket to attend. Detroit notibles were in attendance. And of course, I had to add my watercolor celebrity status to the mix. Why not, I say. The museum looked the best that I have ever seen.

I hope that this will be just the beginning of more cultural expansion here in Detroit. We need it!

"Saveurs de la Provence"

Saveurs de la Provence translated is flavors of Provence. This latest watercolor reminds me of the linens that I bought while traveling in the South of France last year. A comment that I would like to make is that the French are not afraid to use color and they do so with a lot of style and class. This is a brand new painting that I just completed this evening and I was not sure of the final result. But when all was said and done, I am pleased with the result. Every painting has a certain mood. The lighting that I tried to convey was one of being late at night and looking for a late night snack. There is just a single source of light in the room and shined on this table with linens strewed about to create some interesting shadows patterns on the colorful linens from Provence while the "marionette" watches over the scene.

I wanted the viewer to feel like they just stepped into a French dining room in Provence. I found a fun webcam linked to a French bakery in Paris. It shows them making the breads in their ovens. The site is: www.siteparc.fr/bonneau/webcam.htm.

Not Titled (Yet)

I have not titled this painting yet. When I came up with the design, I had been playing around with some decorative papers, and shells and I came up with this realistic but somewhat contemporary composition. Composition I think is really key to any painting. Even if the painting technique is not quite as sophisticated, how it is composed can make it intriquing. I need a simple, contemporary name for this painting. Maybe in time, it will come to me. Any thoughts will be taken into consideration.

"Venice"

This painting done from images taken while on vacation in Venice is from an area in the canals where all the gondolas gather to take people out on rides. I don't know if I would have wanted to stay at that particular hotel in that area as it must get awfully noisy especially at night. This painting was done on watercolor board as opposed to paper and created a different effect. For those of you that have a Mac, there is a widget of a live webcam from Venice. You can find it at: http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/webcams/livevenice.html

"Made in Italy"

Bon Giorno! Guess what these are? They are glass "candies" made in Italy. I picked them up from the island of Burano near Venice. They sell these all over Italy. All are very colorful and made to look like the real thing. This painting made it into the 2005 National Watercolor show whichs take place on the West Coast usually in a suburb of LA. This is quite different than my Venetian Gold. I used several different colors and displayed them all on a murano glass plate. Looking back, I see a lot that I could of added to the painting but choose instead to go with the white plain background. I like the fact that with all of these paintings, the objects that I have collected bring back good memories of where I was and what the day was like. Burano is a fishing village where all the houses are painted different bright colors. This is also an island where they make hand-made lace. I would recommend anyone to visit if you ever go to Venice.

"Caribbean Beat"

Ever been to a caribbean island? This painting is from a photo I took while in St. Maarten and this street scene is of Phillipsburg on the dutch side of the island. Whether it is because of the different subject or because it is taken from a photo, my watercolor technique looks different. Does it look like an original Paula Fiebich? That is the question. You send me your comments.

"Afterglow"

Here is my latest painting "Afterglow". Now a lot of people that have looked at this love it but have to look deeper into the painting to see what is really going on. Everybody wants me to do another painting just like Venetian Gold, I feel a need to mix it up a bit. The goblet in the center is a piece of murano glass from Italy, the scarf is from Florence (once again) and the bottle of liquer is from France. (See here is a mix of my French and Italian themes again.) Some say it is so feminine and I say yes it is, is that a problem. What I tried to capture was a sense of flowing movement. The painting is 23x30. Upon studying it, observers begin to see what I saw while painting it. I wanted it to "glow".

"Venetian Gold"

This is my painting that was awarded the AWS Gold Metal of Honor for 2007. It is currently a part of the American Watercolor Society's traveling exhibit around the US. It has been to Gloucester, Massachusetts, Port Huron, Michigan, El Dorado, Arkansas, and is now on its way to Tullahoma, Tennessee. The painting was purchased by an art collector in New York City during the 140th Exhibit held last April.

Here is some background about the painting itself. I purchased the mask in Venice, Italy a few years ago and will never forget my experience of traveling there. There is no other city in the world like Venice. It is definitely magical. I tried to capture that feeling in this painting. The scarf come from Florence. It was sold to me as a Versace replica. I didn't care, I liked the design and colors. Both items came from a part of the world that I have come to love. The art that I experienced there has left a lifetime impression and I plan to go back whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Because of requests for prints of this painting, I have limited edition Iris giclee prints on Arches watercolor which I am currently selling through a gallery out in California. It is the World Art Gallery in Ladera Ranch. The website is: www.worldartpublishing.org. Contact me for further information.

The start of something big

Or so I wish or hope for. Who knows where life can lead. Today I am creating my first blog all to do with art, watercolor in particular, my personal artwork and my love of anything Italian or French. These are all of my most favorite things in life and when I can combine them.....well you will see for yourself. Did I mention cooking, recipes and food also? Or fine wines? I think this all goes hand in hand with a love of creating something wonderful. I have been to Italy twice and the South of France once, but have been creating works of art many times over. I have also sampled my share of wines and enjoyed good recipes countless times. I hope that my blog will be enjoyed by those who like art, travel and cooking all in combination with each other. So let's get going....


Today, I am home working on another watercolor painting hopefully with the idea of submitting it to one of the national or international watercolor societies here in the USA. I am recently the recipient of the American Watercolor Society 2007 Gold Metal of Honor. Yes, this is true that is why this is the start of something big. But how can I out do myself now? Not all of my paintings can possibly be Gold Metal winners can they? This was my first time entering a painting into AWS and that alone is very difficult to get accepted into, and on my first try, I walk away with the Gold Metal. Now what? Talk about pressure. But I am not going to let that stand in the way of me creating paintings that are maybe just honorable mentions. The creative process has its good days and cosi cosi days and I accept that. But everyone around me has suddenly become an expert on telling me what to paint next. I wonder if Monet ran into this when he started getting noticed. And if he did, I would imagine he told them where to get off, just like I am learning to do.