~Personal Favorites~

Every artist, I think, is attached to some paintings more than others.  Here are a few of my personal favorites.  They aren't necessarily the best executed works but all have special meaning to me.

These are Lightning Whelks. Before coming to Florida I would have called it a conch shell, not knowing anything about shells. The Lightning Whelk is the only one of the whelks that opens from the left~so it is very distinctive. I started collecting them and then painting them.

A still life of some of my large shells.

The beginning of my collection. "Shells in a Bowl"

The painting of the Venetian Carnival Masks is one of my favorites because, for me, it was technically quite difficult.   I do not paint faces; painting the lips and noses took a lot of practise. The faces are painted with an iridescent white~which unfortunately doesn't show up in a photograph very well.  The painting is a reminder of the incredible shops in Venice that have the exquisite masks for sale.  Most shops have a "no photographs" at the entry.

"Carnivale Masks"

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most beautiful places I know.  I have been there several times and on each visit, I felt the same awe as the very first time.  This is a scene of Yellowstone Lake entering from the east entrance early in the morning.  It was so still and tranquil. I think this painting depicts that peacefulness.

"Morning in Yellowstone"

I have blogged about shorebirds before.  I had wanted to do a painting of the gulls in flight for as long as I've been in Florida but it took a long time studying them before I felt that I could tackle the painting.
Someone pointed out that you could see gull shapes in the clouds; that was totally unintentional.

"Gulls in Flight"

I have written about "Eze" before also.  Eze is located in the south of France and this photograph was  a gift from a friend. I love the warm colors and the textures of the walls; the contrast of lights and darks.  The bougainvillea turned out exactly as I wanted it to.  I had giclee prints made of this painting.

"Eze"

"Moonlight Crossing" is one of my earlier paintings.  It was painted in an art class.  I really like the subdued hues, the beautiful mix of rose and blue that make the beautiful background and the play of the light on the water.  I showed this painting in an art show and a friend wanted to buy it.  I said I wasn't quite ready to "let it go".  He told to let him know when I was...he now owns it.

"Moonlight Crossing"

I have grown orchids for many years but could never paint them so that they looked just right. This painting (my 8th or 9th attempt) was done from a photograph that I took at the Miami International Orchid show. I like the background and especially the long tendrils of roots.  The painting hangs in my dining room; the color of the leaves goes perfectly with the color scheme.

"Orchid Duo"

"Moorish Idols" tells you a lot about my color palette; blue, teal, purple, green and scarlet.  The painting was done on YUPO, a synthetic paper.  The paper does not absorb the paint at all~it just all blends while drying.  The white of the Moorish Idols was actually lifted off.  YUPO is such a forgiving medium~what you don't like you can wipe off and begin again.  The texture of the coral was created with sponges.

"Moorish Idols"

Sea grapes grow all along our beaches.  In September, the "grapes" ripen.  I love the variation of the colors and shapes.  This is almost a monochromatic painting~all green with the highlights of yellow and shadows of indigo.  It was an ambitious painting but I was pleased with the result.

"Sea Grapes"

Painting strong architecture is all about getting the perspective correct~all those angles and slopes and arches.  I think the composition of this painting turned out well~vertical and horizontal planes.
It was painted with a very limited palette; blue, green, purple shadowing and a hint of scarlet as a compliment.  I never used to people to my landscapes but found they add so much interest~no matter how small they are.

"Rialto Bridge"

I photographed this stand of aspen on the Colorado Trail. The experience of that hike through the aspen grove was awesome~spiritual.  This painting was the first that was ever accepted into a juried art show.  It didn't win but for me just have to have it chosen to be considered for judging was a satisfying accomplishment.

"On the Colorado Trail"

When I travel I don't buy a lot of souvenirs, I take photographs.  Then if I'm lucky one will stand out and I will make a painting and that becomes my memento.  These windmills sit high on a hill; it was a very windy blustery day!  They are located in Consuegra~the La Mancha district  southeast of Madrid.

"Consuegra"

"The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is simply to teach you how to make the small fraction of your artwork that soars."

~ 2011 Venice Orchid Show~

The Venice Area Orchid Society Show is held each year on the first weekend in February.  It may not be the largest show but it is by far one of the best in the area.

The theme of the show this year was "Be Dazzled".

I was lucky to have arrived there early before the after-church crowd.  I had room to move around with my tripod.
There were 12 exhibits this year and all had beautiful orchids.  Here are two of the exhibits.

Exhibit by Quest Orchids~a Miami grower

Orchids Etcetera~a local Sarasota grower

The exhibits are judged as well as the orchids. The judges are American Orchid Society certified. Each display is judged on general appearance, the variety and quality of flowers and how the orchids are labelled. 

The display by the Ridge Orchid Society won multiple awards.

A prize winning Paphopedilum.

Orchids are judged on the American Orchid Society point system.  Points are given for the form and color of the flower and also its size.

This show had an exhibit area, a vendor area and an art and crafts area.  A table of beautiful fresh orchid arrangements was set up, information about the Venice Orchid Society was available and there was a large room of orchid growing supplies.
 The number and quality of orchids for sale was fantastic.  This is usually the most crowded area of any orchid show.

Little plants growing in shells.

Exotic hybrid Phaleanopsis.

The always present show-stopping orchid that is "not for sale"~a teaser.
Usually small non-flowering plants are for sale.
You may have to wait a few years for blooms like this.

The Orchid Boutique.
Beautiful orchid arrangements in exquisite containers!

There were many paintings and photographs in the art & crafts display.
This was the first place winner...a beautiful quilt.

A beautiful basket of 4 mature
orchid plants was being raffled.  This is a real prize.

Now I'd like to show you some of the flowers that really caught me eye.

Blc. " Wanda's Fire"

Bl. "morning glory".

Cattleya skinneri.

This is a prize-winning Cymbidium.

A large stunning Cattleya.

These are Paphiopedilums.  This entire exhibit was "paphs".
Paphs are sometimes referred to as "slipper orchids".

A brilliant Vanda.

Award winning Phalaeanopsis.  This is an incredible
 spray of flowers.

Lots of people come to look (and smell) the spectacular orchid displays; others come to buy for their own collection; then there are alot of people like me, who photograph orchids.  Some with very sophisticated equipment and others using their cell phones.

I think there were at least 5 people taking photos here.

More Beauties~

This is Lc. Secret Love.

A genus I had never seen before Alaceara.

A Vanda

Orchids are very addicting!

Now you know why I look forward to the February Orchid Show.

~More Hand-crafted Cards~

I enjoy sending handmade cards.  I paint them, use scrapbooking supplies to make them; I've made collage cards and cards using photographs or photos of my artwork. 

I began making handpainted cards when I started painting in watercolor.  My Mother has kept all of the ones I have given her.  My Dad has a collection of "golf-themed" cards that I've sent on Father's Day and birthdays.

This Tiffany-look card, I thought, was a great idea.  I didn't realize that pre-planning was neccessary to pull it off; I just dove in.  So, what I thought would take 2 hours turned into a challenging 1/2 day project.

The idea was inspired by a visit to the Tiffany Exhibition at the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida. I was pleased with the finished card and did try a second one.  It is not worthy of a blog entry.

For each of the past 3 years, I have made about 2 dozen Christmas cards to send to family and friends.  I collect the decorative papers and "add-ons" all year; then when the day comes that I get the urge, I spread out all the supplies and dive in, praying for inspiration.  Each one is different and there's never a plan.

The next  is pen and watercolor~an Easter card for my Mom.  The daffodils were from my garden.

This is one of the "collage" cards.  It is watercolor with rice paper used for texture.  The tentacles of this "Portuguese Man -o- War" are strands of metallic blue thread.  The summer that I created this card was the first time I had ever seen this deadly jellyfish on our beach.  They are so distinct with the red tipped "float".

This card is one of several "golf-themed" cards that I have made for my father.
The scene is one of the holes on "Amen Corner" at Augusta National~The Masters.

 Another Christmas card~one of my favorites; very loosely painted with a lot of spattering.

Sometimes, to compliment the card, I would also paint a small scene in the return address area on the envelope.

Handmade cards are a special gift for the recipient~at least, I'd like to think so.