Shirley's Bags

Shirley's Yellow Bag   (3)     watercolor    11x15  

Shirley'sRed Bag    (2)    watercolor    11x15  

Shirley's Red Bag   (1)     watercolor    11x15  

Shirley Photo  

Figure painting in Watercolor.  Experimental Images….an attempt to be ‘painterly’.  # 1 with Blue background; #2 with red/orange background; #3 gray background; and #4 photo of Shirley Trevena, a paint-watercolor-loose -and -free artist from U.K.  (See her here: www.shirleytrevena.com)  I think #1 is a bit scary- included here to show room for improvement.  #2 is a bit awkward, but I like the colors and patterns- they are warmer and friendlier.  #3 has the full figure including boots.  I like the neutral grays and loose texture.  This one is my favorite of the three.  What do you think?

Weather Vane

Weather Vane      Watercolor 20x27

Another watercolor of barnyard. This one has gentler feel than the blue one shown previously. I think it is pleasant but not outstanding. What do you think?

Barn Series

It seem to me that the motivation here is finding something familiar on which to hang color.

barn painting       Breakfast  - 22x30    watercolor

barn painting     Foggy Morning     22x30 watercolor

 barn painting      Ridge Farm     15x22   watercolor

  barn painting     Springtime on the Farm.   22x30   watercolor

  barn painting     Coulee Barn   15x22

  barn painting     After Visit Home   22x30   watercolor

  barn painting    Chicken Strut     14x22  watercolor

  barn painting        Dillman Barn    15x22

landscape not so real

Wouldn't It Be Beautiful?  22x30      mixed

15x22

Emerging  22x30  

Again older works  that I like

Tulip Dance

Tulip Dance  22x30   watercolor

Barn 008 Over the Moon

Barn 008  Over the Moon                   22x30     watercolor

Blue blue blue barn painting . Not a soulful, moody blue, rather an energetic blue. I have not wanted to do blue for a long time- years in fact. I have begun this challenge of variations on a theme - this theme being: barn (Thank you Myrna Wacknov for your inspiration.)  So I felt it was time to do cobalt blue, and here it is.  The direction of this and past couple paintings is color dominance. Color that has taken control and gives direction to the work. Throw in some pattern for decoration and whimsy for light-hearted and there you have it! Next one it line and wash.

Barn 007 Looking Out

Looking Out        22x30

While painting this one, I was aware of enjoying the technical skill build on many years of warm-ups, experimenting, putting-paint–on-paper, working in series and more. Stacks paper, painted with no thought of ‘production’ but rather to learn what happens. I have attended many workshops over the years, but I taught myself to paint by painting. (The idea is much like the one who watches Saturday TV football may not ever be able to get a football across the line.) So I was enjoying the process of putting-paint-on-paper. I was enjoying the design choices- the juxtaposition of shapes and colors.  Then there is the energy that comes for the peace of my convictions.

Barn 006

Barn 006           7.5 x 11

Now this one id giving me  an idea for a full sheet.  I like the  cleaner colors better.  more soon

Barn 005

barn 005 a

My intention is to put many of these barns up, however  I was not so pleasde with this one.

 I darkened the sky and  it is tolerable.  More to come 

Barn 005 b

Barn 003 & 004

Barn 003               7.5x11

These are definitely about color! The one-third / two-thirds concept is pushed way beyond to 75% or even 85%. This means a color majority, a color dominance, mostly one color - with variations of course. Barn 003 is mostly orange – some lighter some darker and more neutral with the blue/ violet contrast. I like it. Barn 004 is very obviously yellow green with some complement plus darker value. I like this too. More coming.

Barn 004                7.5x11

Beginning a Barn Series

Here are two attempts beginning a barn series.  This is a very busy time for me as I am teaching math extra hours at WesternTC, therefore these are quick efforts and small. The sky in red Barn-001 had some issues!  The green was chosen in Barn-002 because I was wearing chartreuse hoodie, but was still feeling cold, so I put on a darker green fleece vest. The color of the painting is in response.  More to come

Barn-001          7x11

Barn-002              7x11