OT - My new hobby ...

John, that one is my favorite... it reminds me of my grandparents home in England, where Grandad had a lovely white picket fence around the yard all covered in gorgeous flowers. Thank you for that wonderful reminder.
Cheers
Nan

nanwilson wrote:John, that one is my favorite... it reminds me of my grandparents home in England, where Grandad had a lovely white picket fence around the yard all covered in gorgeous flowers. Thank you for that wonderful reminder.
Cheers
Nan

Nan, I'm glad it brings back good memories. I've known people with yards like this. Mine never was.

I will probably also pull from memory to work on another small corner painting (a small corner of a yard / garden). It will be of a house with "Florida" glass louver windows on the porch (to the left), asbestos shingle siding toward the center and right, and the flower bed that lays at the foot of that corner. It's the sort of small item that will ring a lot of bells for folks who lived and grew up in the 50s through 70s. I hope to use some of the lessons I learned with the garden painting to make this one quite vibrant.

So, as I mentioned, I thought I would try another shot at that painting of a flower. This rendition of a photograph of a flower from her trip to Scotland. I think you will agree the results this time around are much clearer and more enjoyable.

This new one is just lovely, John. You are showing some really nice technique on the petals. The darker background colour better highlights the flower as well. And you have captured the fine filaments in the center in a much more random, and therefore more realistic way than in the first one. I like your pen work better too. You improved it with giant steps. Trust your instincts. They are spot on.

I was wondering John, if you would think it ok if I shared a painting I did today?
You have inspired me to get back to some tinkering.
I did not want to interfere with your sharing of your wonderful paintings.

Karen

Pad A Cheek wrote:I was wondering John, if you would think it ok if I shared a painting I did today?
You have inspired me to get back to some tinkering.
I did not want to interfere with your sharing of your wonderful paintings.

Karen

Please do!

This particular thread is my attempt to do something more productive than yammering about politics!! The more who can share presenting paintings (or other endeavors than politics) the better it will be.

Why not continue a great theme. Here's a pen & ink with watercolor painting that does just that. Flowers can be amazingly difficult, but also wonderful as a painting subject. Nature tends to create some very subtle (at least to our eyes) shading. ... Painting that subtle shading can be formidable. But I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. So, what do you think?

It might seem ironic, but rendering water with watercolor is extraordinarily challenging. I love the water drops and the delicacy of the leaves.

And Karen, I'm looking forward to seeing your work too. Don't be shy (I'm listening to Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam singing "Don't Be Shy" as I'm typing this ).

I am going for the feeling here, not being perfect.This is from our drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday.

Darn! Where's the "Like!" button when you need it. Karen, before I read your note, I saw the painting and thought to myself, "Looks just like a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway" ... I'ld say you got the "feel" just right!! .. Keep 'em coming!

It's lovely, Karen! Did you do this from a photo or from memory?

Thank you John and Kaisgram for the encouragement.
I have not painted in ages. John your beautiful art encouraged me and stirred the muse.

It was just from my mind. No photos or any pictures for this. It is not a real place, it exists only in my mind. It is a feeling for me of being up high looking down into the Shenandoah Valley and the farms of that area. I also love the rocks, but they are actually more layered and more grey than the ones in the painting. I also need to work on the effects of distance and the colors of the mountains. I am still too tight for water colors, I need to loosen up and let go. I am accustomed to painting in Acrylics, but the mystery of water colors were calling my heart.

I enjoyed playing this afternoon. It felt really good to spend some time in my relaxation creating a lasting souvenir of the feelings from yesterday. It was a lovely drive.

Karen

John, I was late getting to the gallery, but wow, wow, WOW!

Your watercolors are stunningly beautiful. What a talent you have. Thanks so much for letting us see them.

You, too, Karen!

Laura

I know,
Isn't John amazing. I love the variety that he paints and the colors.
Thank you John for sharing your art with us.

So good to see you posting Rested gal, I hope all is well in your world.
Karen

I enjoy a good OT posting. Lovely work, John. I really like the flowers.

Karen, your painting reminds me of stopping along the Skyline Drive to look into the valley and feel the fresh breeze updraft. Takes me home. I once stood there and watched a huge storm cross the valley and come up the mountain toward me. I rushed to the car at the last second before it hit me. Your painting evoked lots of memories. Thanks. I sure miss the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Catnapper - Joanie