Autumn Splendor

Autumn Splendor

14 x 17

2007

Sold (again)

I refer to this painting as the "loose tree". The official name was suggested by someone when I was hanging it in a show. I hadn't put it on my web site because it doesn't look anything like my usual paintings. I actually never even took a photo of it until this morning. I considered naming this post "And now for something completely different".

I went to a Jeanne Carbonetti watercolor workshop last July at the Omega Institute in Rheinbeck, NY. Omega is a wonderful place and Jeanne is absolutely lovely. Overall, I think that loose is overrated in watercolor, but Jeanne's paintings have vibrant colors and look gorgeous. She is a splendid teacher too. Many artists talk about wanting to "loosen up" and many people like loose paintings. I rather like tight, realistic watercolors but do see how a little looseness could enhance a painting now and then. I could also see how it might be nice to complete a painting in a couple of hours instead of twenty.

I did this painting in class based on a photo I took in West Hartford. I like the painting, had a friend cut a mat and here it is. I actually sold it last month at the little outdoor art event to a woman who loved it. Now I own it again because her check bounced and she says that her fiance won't let her keep it. Go figure. So here it is for the world to see, and maybe somebody else will give it a good home. :)

Hendricks Head Lighthouse

Hendricks Head Lighthouse

11 x 14

$450 with mat and frame

2008

I finished this painting today, and submitted it to the Connecticut Watercolor Society 68th Annual Exhibition. I had borrowed Cheetah, a painting owned by my sister-in-law to enter in the show in case I didn't get the lighthouse done in time. Friday I was looking over the entry form and discovered I could enter two paintings. It was a busy weekend, but I squeezed in four or five hours of painting and feel good about entering both paintings. I have a better chance of getting in with two. The opening reception is next Sunday. I hope to be there.

This lighthouse is in Maine and the reference photo was taken by my friend Allan Perrie. He is the same person who took the photo of the Cheetah while on Safari in Tanzania. I will post the cheetah another day. Now that this painting is done I can go back to birds! I have a goldfinch already drawn out and a robin photo I really like. :)

Sharon in the Hartford Courant

Reflections

11 x 14

2007

$450

Note Cards available

I am famous! Well, not exactly, but at least I just got a lot of exposure. :) Yesterday, I was the cover artist for the Farmington Valley itown section of the Hartford Courant. There is a large color photo of Reflections, one of the Barkhamsted Reservoir paintings featured in my April 22, 2008 post. (I was not going to post the image here but the post looked so boring and empty without a painting so here it is again.) On page 3 is a photo of me and a nice little bio.

I am collecting copies for Mom and Dad who are very excited about this. They don't have a computer. You, however, can see what was printed by looking at their web site http://www.courant.com/community/news/fv/hc-itowns-cover0525-fv,0,940835.photo. I tried to make this a tidy little link but it didn't work and I still have to prepare for the show I am hanging at Duncaster first thing tomorrow morning.

My friend Wanda had told me about the cover art possibility 4 weeks ago on the Sunday that they started it. I submitted two paintings by email that very night. I didn't hear anything back until last week when I was informed that they were inundated with art submissions but had chosen mine. Paul Stern, the itown editor told me by email,"We select the ones that we think will reproduce best on newsprint and catch the eye and/or have local appeal. Yours qualifies on all counts. "

Thank you Paul! And thanks to Loretta Waldman for doing such a nice job of it! May has been a very nice month for my career so far. What will come next? (Lots of paintings sales and commissions I hope!)

Owls

Owl
8 x 10
2006
Note Cards available

I painted this owl as a 50th wedding anniversary gift for my parents. I asked my photographer friend Prasad Menon if he had any owls and he sent me a great photo of this Burrowing Owl. This was before I had learned the art of surfing the web to hunt for images. Please visit Prasad's web site at menonphoto to see very beautiful photos.

Night Owl

8 x 10

2007

Note cards available

This painting of a Northern Pygmy Owl was done using a reference photo by Jared Hobbs. He also provided me with the photo for the owl below. As I have mentioned before, Jared has awesome wildlife photos at hobbsphotos.


Spotted Owl

10 x 8

2008

$225 with mat and frame

This painting of a Mexican Spotted Owl was done using another photo by Jared Hobbs. I started it months ago and finished it this week. The rock is sandstone.

cardinal

Cardinal

5 x 7

2008

Sold

Signed giclee print: $29.95

Note card: $2.50

This painting was done from another fine photo from Alan and Elaine Wilson. See their gorgeous photos at Nature's Pics. I finished it a day or two ago and popped it into a mat and frame this morning to bring to an outdoor art festival in Avon. This was a very small gathering called "Paint the Town Green", held on the Avon town green. It was sponsored by some shops including the Venus Salon where nine of my paintings hang. The turnout was very light but it was a gorgeous sunny day and I sold two paintings! :)

Below is a photo of my painting display at the back of the Venus Salon. There are more paintings on the side of the display not shown in the photo. The displays I have been using for outdoor events need improvement or replacement. Jeff has done a fabulous job of creating a couple for me but they aren't just right yet. Need some innovation in the set up, take down and transport department. I am currently researching and just searching for a stable and user friendly display unit.

Sharon gets 2nd place award

Portland Headlight

11 x 14

$450

2007

Limited edition signed giclee prints and note cards available

(More about this painting is on my very first post.)

Portland Headlight won the 2ND place award at the New Hartford Art League's Third Annual Juried Show. The jury selection was done last Saturday and the opening reception and award ceremony were yesterday. I am very happy. I am finally an "award winning artist"! :)

Karen Meares, president of the New Hartford Art League, presents Sharon with the award. The envelope contains a gift certificate for Jerry's Artarama.

Rainbow Lorikeets

Rainbow Lorikeets

11 x 14
$450 with mat and frame
2008

I finished this painting today. Rainbow Lorikeets are mostly found in Australia. They are small colorful birds and there are still many of them. I used a reference photo from a photographer named Tom Friedel. He has very beautiful photographs. Check them out at Birdphotos.com. Click on the Parrot Family album to see the photo I used for this painting. When I went to Tom's site today they were labeled Coconut Lorikeets. Thank you so much Tom!

This painting took between 20 - 24 hours to paint. If I was going to do it again I would probably use a different background. The images below show how I painted it.

Step 1: I used masking fluid for the birds and their perch and painted the background

Step 2: Added a light green wash on the perching branch and leaves

Step 3: Added yellow



Step 4: Added red

Step 5: Added blue

Step 6: Added green

Step 7: Added some details

Step 8: More details

Step 9: More details, especially the feet and leaves

Step 10: Serious improvement and darkening to background.

Step 11: Lots more details to parrots and everything else