Our Local Art Exhibit - VanNess North, Washington, DC

It’s like woodworking. Check measurements twice and then cut. Take time.  Three completed and lots of small ones yet to do. But of course, I don’t have the saw dust.

I’m huddled over my art table cutting mats for my watercolors. In less than a week, I’ll be joining 15 other artists in a Biennial Art Exhibit at VanNess North, my apartment building.

It’s a chance for artists in our building to show their works and maybe make a few sales. My sales will go in support of local charities and social justice work.

I haven’t had too many showings, so each one is exciting for me. I’ve selected three of my larger paintings for the main exhibit.  

This one is entitled Just Goldfish. It evolved from

 one of my small paintings.

I’ve gotten into the habit of posting a watercolor on the door of my apartment. I like trying new ideas and techniques. 

A small goldfish turned out well and I decided to try a larger and more ambitious rendering. Here I learned a lot about tonal quality and blending colors. I think Just Goldfish has captured movement and gentle beauty.

Autumn Color is a composite from photos. Recently, I’ve been taking loads of pictures – many more than before. My smart phone makes it’s easy. As they say, the best camera is the one you carry with you. So I click away.

Back at my art table, I sort through the photos becoming more inspired. Often I’ll combine aspects of one with another or two. 

When folks ask, “Where’s that from?” I say a little from reality and a lot from imagination. In the process I’m learning more about composition.     

Here I emphasized color. I want to draw the viewers eye into the color both near and far. I played with reflections and gave texture to rocks and trees. My hope is that viewers will want to sit on one of those rocks and enjoy the splendor of autumn….

Who doesn’t love birch trees? One day I was clicking through images on Google and I found several that featured birch trees in the snow. I wondered if I could compose a painting of contrasts. 

Snow and shadows. “The darker the shadow and the brighter the light will be,” I thought.   

Winter Shadows invites viewers to slide down the snowy hill and jump between light and shadow. Pick up a few branches of autumn color and notice the contrast on distant hills. Can you find the hint of a pathway?

In addition to the main exhibit, artists are invited to submit smaller paintings for the art bins. Many of my “door paintings” will reappear here. Here’s a sampling...

 

  

If you’re in the Washington DC area, come check out the exhibit. An opening receptions starts at 6:30 pm on Friday, October 20 and the exhibit stays open through Sunday.  

Winter Art

I never thought I would say this, "I'm missing winter." After two years in Ukraine, you might think I had enough of snow and ice. But here I am in Washington DC with temperatures in the 50s and 60s and only a few below freezing. Last week it was warm enough to have a picnic in a park and I did.

Yikes, it's January!

Maybe to compensate for the unusual weather, I've been creating snow scenes in my art. It's been a lot of fun and I feel like I'm improving week by week.  I started with scanning my photos of Maine winters for inspiration.  These two take me back to my wonderful years in Portland.  Then I heard on the radio that Portland was surprised by below zero or maybe not so surprised.  I remember... Mainiacs seem to take it in stride even as they sigh, "Here we go again."

Original photos of Mainer winter

My first painting is a small one about 5" x 8". People often ask, "Where's it from?"  Of course the best thing about watercolors is that pictures come from the imagination.

Original Watercolor - Winter Walk

I remember the birch trees that are ubiquitous in Ukraine as well as Maine.  I looked through the web for inspiration and pulled together this painting.  I like the glow of color that also leaves a viewer wondering, "Is it the sun rising or setting or is it a fire or ...?"

Original Watercolor - Winter Glow

I took this photo in Ukraine.  It was a cold crisp day when the sun was so bright that the shadows turned blue.  I wanted to give a watercolor life to the photo and express my own feelings.  It looks easy to do, but believe me it is not.  It took me three attempts to get the blue wash smooth enough and the shadow acceptable - not too light or too dark, but just right.  Here's my rendition.

Original Watercolor - Winter Blue

I love winter storms.  Well...let me be more precise.  I love the first winter storm.  When I lived in Maine, I would snap on my snow shoes and go for long walks in the woods.  In Ukraine necessity meant you walked everywhere.  Maybe it's the kid in me but when the snow is whistling across a field I feel exurberant and so wonderfully alive.  Of course by March, I've had enough.  Yet in both Ukraine and Maine, winter has plenty more to dish out.

Original Watercolor - Winter Storm

Painting has become a kind of New Year resolution for me.  I sent several photos of my work to friends in Ukraine. As they replied with Happy New Year wishes, they also encouraged me to keep creating.   I think that's what I most like about watercolors.  I face a blank sheet of paper with only an idea in my head.  I mix some colors.  Sketch and outline.  And them swoosh on my first brush of paint.  Idea becomes form.  A new creation takes shape.

My  Hallway of Ukrainian Art