Back at Last!!!

I know, I know, I've been away a long time now-----------been really busy trying to pull up stakes around the mid country to head west.  I've been painting more than ever so here's some of the best on the learning curve.  I'm planning to submit these to TPAPS.  Tucson Plein Air Painting Society so I can become an associate member.  I am enjoying painting around this neighborhood but can't wait to get back west to paint the winter away.

enjoy--------------------Pastel, Watercolor, Oil

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea Beauty

When we arrived in the Southwest in October I was inspired by a bouganvillia in Amy's neighbors back yard.  I took the picture and started working on a rendering as I love the color and the beauty of this flower.  I started with my former tight style and quickly changed to my new "Murray" style and was pretty happy with the effort.  Another step forward...........many more to go.

Painting again!

Charlestown, SC

Southern Beauty

This painting was inspired by a lovely antebellum home my sister Jane, Jamie and I toured last spring in Charlestown while  in the south.  

When I travel I enjoy taking pictures of simple subjects, looking for angles, colors, flowers and an interesting composition.  This beautiful staircase caught my eye as I wandered around the gardens at the end of the tour. I print the photo and carry it in my sketching bag that travels with me wherever I go.  If I have a few minutes I enjoy sketching the photo to see if it might be the subject of a future watercolor.  The sketch was done last summer sometime but the watercolor had to wait till January 2009.  I had the sketch already on the watercolor paper when I took a class here in Tucson from Murray.  His goal is to help us loosen up when we watercolor.  Well after one of his classes I thought I'd try the looser style I had learned on my Charlestown watercolor.  I like the effect  on most of the painting.  I'll let you look at the photo and see what you think of my artistic rendering of the old "southern beauty."  What a fun way to remember a glorious spring afternoon!