Hudson Artists Association Spring Exhibition Weekend

These are three of the six entries for this year's exhibition, and I'm pleased to say that the middle entry (cups with spoon) won Best in Show!

Apples and Black Vase

Black Vase with Apples

12" square on wood cradled panel

Oil

My favourite of the latest square format series from October.  I really liked this black vase and will use it again soon.  

These pink and yellow dahlias with the last bit of summer phlox from my garden were the perfect simple little flowers to paint.

Early Start

Early Start

Oil on 12" Square wood cradled Panel

One of the paintings from the latter part of October while the last few Dahlias were left.  These flowers are one type of Dahlia that I had never planted before but made a wonderful border plant.

They kept on blooming from the time I planted them until now.  

Last Dahlias of Summer

The Last Dahlias of Summer

12" square

Oil on wood panel

The colour of the dahlias and the apples look just great together.  I enjoyed painting the teal vase as well because of the carved pattern.  The first of a series that I'm working on this Fall.

A new repeat pattern.....

We're well into Summer and the rewards of vegetable gardening are all around with farmer's markets in the country and food and flower markets in the city which is what has inspired me to take my watercolour paintings and create this repeat pattern.

Arts Alive Summer Event

This first weekend in June is our town's "Arts Alive" event in conjunction with ELAN (English Language Arts Network) and I am participating by having a demo of "painted papers" i.e. gelatin printing on Saturday morning followed by a second demo/mini workshop at Gallerie Plus on Main Rd.  These are a few of the piece I am exhibiting alongside some collage work designed for the Hudson Food Collective and their Dandelion Festival.  A series of cards and prints will be available at the event.

Paisley and Apples

As I mentioned in my last post,  I had decided to paint this orange paisley pashmina a second time.
The difference this time is that I think I treated it too literally.  What I like about the last one is that it is only loosely interpreted.  It was necessary however to mute it a bit in order for the tiny florets of the phlox to pop against the background.

A New Old Start

Two posts back, I showed a work-in-progress photo of this painting.  As much as I was happy with it, the little pewter bird bothered me and I have since painted in out.  Because of the placement, I think it still needs something; maybe a fallen leaf or petal would be enough.  But for now, I am busy creating a few new paintings for a Spring art show next week.  I did like the paisley background, although I favour the left side more than the busier right side.

I thought it would be a good idea to use that paisley background again and now I'm wondering why!?
I think it will work out in the end but because of the lighting of the current painting, the paisley pattern is darker and I still have the problem of the dominance of the pattern asserting itself in the wrong places.  Since I have artistic license, you would think that I could solve the problem, but most likely not until I finish it as it is and then decide.

Backgrounds have taken up more importance lately in my painting.  I love the fact that there is still so much more to learn.