View from the island

As often as I can, I walk the path that leads from the neighborhood stables to a little island park nearby. The path encircles the island...and along the path...I see green, blanketing the water, the trees...everything.

From the island, I can see the bridge connecting and the mass of trees...a seamless transition from one land to another...through the island foliage and the haze of green, I see the path clearly...leading me to this point.

View from the Island

Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord

9x12

New Roots

Following the dormancy of winter, I often feel a burst of "energy" in spring (as mentioned in previous posts); a rush of ideas, creativity, and need to set "roots" (and "sprout") in new directions. One such "root"...

This month I am joining the family of artists at the Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

I look forward to the new directions this step will take me in art, insight into the gallery operations, teaching opportunities, and not to mention, exhibiting with an amazing group of artists.

Join me this "First Friday," May 7th, for the All Member's Show.

Opening Reception from 6-9Pm

Southern Catalpa Trees at Chatham, Watercolor

Almost finished with this painting of Chatham Manor's Southern Catalpa trees. These trees are located on the north side of Chatham in Stafford County. The mansion was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Walt Whitman described the scene at the hospital for "worst case soldiers". The trees at this time were 25 years old and are located just outside the north window of the mansion. Sparing the details of Whitman's description, I will just say that my interpretation of the trees was greatly influenced by the images of that description. I couldn't help but see the ghostly, skeleton images in the trees and couldn't escape the feeling of a cyclic organic growth. The wholes in the trees: most likely precisely cut to have access to the metal poles inside that support the weight of the foliage of these hollow trunk trees.

Painting Foliage, Demonstration 3

Southern Catalpa trees at Chatham in Stafford County. More about these trees later.
For this step, I have begun to push and pull foliage shapes in the tree and continued to work the shadow shapes of the tree trunk. I try to work with the shapes that have evolved during the underpainting, versus the reference I am using. When painting the trunks, I vary the warm and cool shadow shapes. I will continue to work through the midrange values in the grass and walkway. The masking will be removed after this step.

This painting of a paperbark tree was done using a similar "sponge" texture technique.

Life Unfolding

Sometimes I will know the title of a painting before I begin. Other times, I wait to see what develops in the painting. Here, I knew just how this image would translate into a painting and gave it a name before I started. I will have to see if the painting has the same plan.

Agave, In Progress 3

I have started painting in the middle values of the leaves. I have worked the lower aspects of the bottom leaves beginning to develop the rounded form, a little color perspective, and more texture.

Student Artwork on Display at LibertyTown

Just a few of the amazing artworks on display in the Liberty Town Student Art Show, exhibiting through Jan 2009. Many of the artists had never painted in watercolor. Thank you to all who participated. Follow the link to see the Complete Class Schedule at Liberty Town Arts Workshop or visit my website http://www.artbyariel.com/ for future workshop schedules.

Creativity Takes Courage.

~Henry Matisse

Painting Daisies Workshop Study

Before many of my larger paintings and before a class, I will do a small painting (a study) to work out the composition, value, and color palette. This is a small 5X7 study in preparation for my February Painting Daisies watercolor workshop. Visit my website for details about the workshop.

The idea for this painting topic came from a lesson taught by Nancy Oleksa in Poway, CA, though adapted for a 4 day workshop using a variation of color. My inspiration; the daisies growing on the lawn outside the Dorothy Hart Community Center in Fredericksburg this fall. I chose a spring palette using my usual pigments of Aureolin Yellow, Quin Gold, and New Gamboge, Permanent Rose, and Rose Madder Genuine. I am facing my aversion to premixed greens and also used Viridian and Winsor Green and added a lovely purple, Winsor Violet (dioxazine violet). If you want to know more about these paints, go to http://www.handprint.com/ and follow the links to guide for watercolor pigment. I use this site whenever I am researching properties of new (and usual) pigments.

Public Collection at Stafford Hospital

This week I was given an amazing gift. The two paintings above were chosen to be part of the permanent public collection on display at the new Stafford Hospital Center. This opportunity is particularly personal for me, because this week I have also accepted a new position as a nurse in the hospital. Rare is the occasion when my two worlds meet; my life in art and my life as a nurse. Though one is always present and influences the other. I am thankful for this opportunity to share my art in such a special way and honored to be included with the other wonderful artists chosen from Liberty Town and the Fredericksburg area to exhibit at the hospital.

Elizabeth's Pansies

Elizabeth's Pansies
12X12
Watercolor on Clayboard

Elizabeth's Pansies, In Progress

I must give credit to Elizabeth, elizabethcreates, who grew these beautiful pansies in her yard this last summer. These delicate little flowers were peeking up at me. The back pansy reminds me of a young child hiding behind it's older sibling, cautiously peeping around to look at the stranger visiting their home to take photos. Thank you, Elizabeth !

New Paintings up for Auction

I have decided to try something new in my studio (No3) at Liberty Town Arts. I am putting two of my newest paintings up for silent auction December 4th to December 5th (First Friday). This is a great opportunity to potentially purchase a new work for much less than the exhibit price. If you are unable to visit my studio on First Friday, you are welcome to email your bid.

Starting bid $95, or you can Buy-it-Now for $250.

Standing Tall, Watercolor, 16X20 Framed, Image size 8X10, Sold
Liberty, Watercolor, 16X20 Framed, Image Size 8X10, Sold

Both paintings are framed with a contemporary black wood frame and double thickness white mat. The sunflower I used as a reference for the paintings was growing outside at Liberty Town (planted by Aline). The compliments of the purple paint on the building and yellows in the flower were stunning. I chose to use the same palette in the paintings with varing intensity and demonstrated the painting in my watercolor workshop this October.

I will notify the winner (if not present) by email or phone on December 6th and the paintings can be picked up anytime at the end of auction.

Happy Bidding!

On Exhibit at the Torpedo Factory

These three paintings will be on exhibit and for sale at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, December 11, 2008 to January 11, 2009.

The exhibit is titled "5X5(5)" and all the artwork on display fits into these dimensions. The juror, Elaine Levin, reviewed over 650 national and international entries, choosing 250 works for the show.

An Artist's Reception will be held December 11th from 6-8PM.