It's
that time of year again – Main Street Boutique is back! Please join me for one of the most highly
anticipated shopping events of the season to support Abington Health and
the healthcare of our local community.
This is a great day out at the lovely Huntingdon Valley Country Club
for ONE STOP HOLIDAY SHOPPING! (2295 Country Club Drive, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006)
I’ll be exhibiting my Original Watercolors and affordable
Matted Fine Art Prints, along with more than 35 others showing their jewelry,
clothing, art, skin care products, and much more! Visit my website hereto get a preview of my work. I’m looking forward to seeing you at this
very special event.
Stop by my exhibit to
enter my free raffle for a Fine Art Print.
Can’t make the event?
Order online directly from my Etsy
Shop.
Pleaseforward and share
this with your family and friends to
help spread the word about this unique opportunity to benefit our
community and have a wonderful holiday shopping
experience, too!
I guess that I just couldn't get enough of the leaves! As you can
see, there were lots of leaves to choose from. I took a number of photos, two
of which I included here.
From the
photos, I sketched in the leaves and then added my watercolors, making sure to
vary the tones within each. This is just the first “layer” of color. Since this
is a painting, I am not necessarily tied to the actual colors or positions of
the leaves in the photos. For this particular painting, I decided that the
composition looked better turned upside-down! The large yellow shape at top
felt “heavy.”
Once that
decision was made, I added other leaves where they were needed.
A second
major change was to “delete” the green leaf in the center. It was way too
distracting, so I lightened as much color as I could by “lifting” it with a
brush, water, and blotter. Then I added another leaf over part of the former
green blob. I have to constantly keep in mind the shapes of the “negative
spaces” between the leaves for when I add the background.
Next, I
decided to feature the leaves on still-green grass. I intended to show bits of
twigs as I had in my previous smaller painting. But for this one, I felt that
they were too distracting with so many more leaves in this painting.
Finally, I
completed the background by adding a few layers of greens and blues to give it
depth. You can see by comparing these last two photos that I’ve painted over
many of the distracting twigs. Now your eyes can focus on the beauty, textures,
and colors of Autumn Leaves! Enjoy!
11x14 matted to 16x20 $52 8x10 matted to 11x14 $37 sold matted for standard size frames
SORRY, SORRY, SORRY! I just couldn't help myself! The earlier leaf painting below looked good, but not great. I went back and made the background a richer mingling of blues and greens to make the leaves "pop!" Was this an improvement? ...or am I the only one who sees this?
11x14 matted to 16x20 $52 8x10 matted to 11x14 $37 sold matted for standard size frames
The colors and shapes seem endless as I look at the leaves that have fallen from my trees this autumn! I love the curled edges, the great shapes of the holes, and the patterns of one leave on another!
My new painting is a tribute to this glorious time of year!
Not sure what to give this holiday season, but are sure that the recipient will love a Fine Art Print of my Original Watercolor Painting from my shop? Here's the answer - A Gift Certificate for any 16x20 matted print!!
This takes the guesswork out of choosing the ideal gift for family and friends!
...but maybe not for the others on your list. Gift Card Certificates are great for that reason!
When you purchase the Gift Certificate, you can opt to receive an actual gift card in the mail or have an emailed pdf to print and give as a gift. This entitles the person you give it to, to choose any matted 16x20 Fine Art Print from my Etsy Shop. If it's offered in the smaller matted 11x14 size, I can make it in the 16x20 size for them.
Bonus!! FREE GIFT WRAP
If you do not want the physical gift card mailed to you, please put that in the note to buyer and include your email address. I will email you the pdf to print (as appears in the listing photo). Both will include complete instructions on how to redeem the Certificate.
The archival print of my original watercolor painting will arrive to your recipient's home as an 11x14 print in a 16x20 white, bevel cut mat, enclosed in a clear protective plastic sleeve ready for easy framing. It fits into a standard 16x20 frame.
If you would like a Gift Certificate in any other amount, simply convo me and I will set up a customized listing just for you!
This Gift Certificate is valid only in my Etsy shop and it is only redeemable here.
11x14 matted
to 16x20 $52 8x10 matted to
11x14 $37 sold matted for
standard size frames
I chose to create a still life painting because I thought that I needed another challenge. I know, I'm crazy! I had never painted oranges or anything reflected in a mirror! In order to decide what the values (lights and darks) were for this painting, I started with the darkest tone, the background. Many watercolorists go from light to dark, but for this particular painting, I decided to do it in reverse. Using a flat brush, I was able to get more concentrated color and less water on my brush. I also wicked off the excess water onto a paper towel. Using a hatch-work of blues and purples, I built up layers of color creating a sense of depth for the background.
Once the background was in, I could then determine how dark to make the floral design on the vase. I wanted to use a variety of blues, from very dark indigo to a lighter ultramarine, adding purple to increase interest and depth. I also used a masking fluid, somewhat like the rubber cement I used to use as a child, that protects the white area of the paper. The gray lines on the oranges and vase will allow me to paint over those areas and not stain the paper. When the painting is almost done, I can peel off the hardened masking fluid revealing the white paper below it.
Next, I built up layers of orange and yellows to create the colors of the fruit.
After completing the floral design on the vase (below), I could see that the color looked dark and muddy on the top left flower and that I needed to work on the oranges after I removed the masking fluid. Too many lines, blotchy patches on the reflected orange needed a lot of work.
After lightening and reworking the flowers and toning down the stripey look of the oranges (below), I felt that I was finally on the right track. I added a very pale orange color showing the reflection back onto the vase from the orange in front of it. I wanted to keep it subtle. Still, it needed more drama.
To give it more pizazz, I used titanium white and white casein paint to create the reflections on the vase and to "moisten" the look of the oranges. I also put more blue on each side of the vase to help create the illusion that it is round. Pale blue on the table's surface makes it look more reflective.
11x14 matted
to 16x20 $52 8x10 matted to
11x14 $37 sold matted for
standard size frames
My goal was to make the Chinoiserie blue and white Ming vase with orange segments both elegant and striking. I hope that this post has helped you understand my decision-making process and that you enjoyed the old-world charm of this painting. Did I reach my goal?
This exotic tropical flower is absolutely sensational! The passion flower's intricate structures are exquisite, as well as its colors. This fine art reproduction of my original watercolor painting is fabulous as a focal point for your home decor.
Deep in concentration, this little girl is intent on creating the perfect sand castle, ignoring all around her, even the crashing nearby waves! This fine art print of my original watercolor painting will bring back memories of family beach vacations and brighten up your child's room. It's also perfect for your vaction home decor.
I saw these luscious clusters of grapes when touring through Tuscany, Italy. I hope that this fine art print of my original watercolor will make your mouth water!
For that Gift List! "Beautiful items... Gifts they will love. Shop with the OnFireTeam! A lil something for everyone!" says jenniferlynnstudiofromjenniferlynnstudio who created this wonderful selection!
The pomegranate is mentioned in ancient texts of the Bible and Homer. It's valued for its beauty and versatility as a fruit with medicinal qualities, It also is a symbol of prosperity, fruitfulness, and ambition, with many myths and religious meanings ascribed to it. That's what drew me to create this watercolor, showing the stunning fruit growing on its small tree. I hope that you enjoy the fine art reproduction made from my original painting.
G is for Gift Guide on Fire
JimAndGinafromJimAndGina created this wonderful collection of handmade and fine art to help with your holiday shopping!
These beautiful seashells make a wonderful collection, each with its unique and beautifully intricate pattern. It makes a unique gift for a vacation shore home or you can create a tropical paradise right in your own home!
Smart Shopping 101 - Free Shipping!
Curator Cherylfromjustaspire created this visually stunning collection as a smart shopping guide with all items offering free shipping! Enjoy!
This painting is inspired by one of the most beautiful flowers in my garden, the blue hydrangea. I love capturing the intricate details of every petal. Nature's designs are amazing!
I'm On Fire and Blue for You
Curator Jewels from Lusmysticjewels created "Beautiful Blues for You," with her wonderful collection of handmade and fine art items, including my Blue Hydrangea watercolor painting.
My exuberant scene shows the pure childish delight at being on the beach. I tried to capture his sense of freedom and absolute joy! It will brighten up any child's room or a home at the shore! This is the perfect companion piece to "Girl into the Surf!"
Time Does Fly When You're Past Young
"A great collection of life. Time does fly for all of us when you're past young," says Curator Anne Quinn from hatsbyanne1942.
Acceptable happiness
The Curator from MindAndHandsTogether hopes that you will enjoy her creative collection!
My exuberant scene shows the wonderful vitality of a child excited to be at the beach. It will brighten up any child's room or a home at the shore!
"Interesting finds amongst the Etsy, Blogging and FB community...Thanks for the support..." says curator Jo Ann Strong of jcstrong. So glad that my "Boy into the Surf" was included in this lovely and diverse collection.
"March is a magical time to decorate or start a collection of art for your home. The fine art on Etsy has a variety of styles, color, and subject matter.
"The artists all do their best to make a joyful connection with the viewer/collector. These works are just a small sample of what you'll find," says Jo Ann of jcstrong, curator of this wonderful gallery.
Perfect for Blue Monday, my original watercolor "Antique Door Detail" (11x7 - $160) is included here.
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