Mary B Spires Watercolor & Art Stuff

10" x 15" Oil on Board After doing this one in watercolors I thought I would give it a try in oils. Yesterday was a good day, finished this one, plus 2 with good starts. I need about 20 for the Lancaster Art Walk at the end of July. I always seem to paint when I have a dead line!

11"x15" Watercolor This painting was painted from a picture from the St. Petersburg Museum this past Spring. Just love this Poppy by Georgia O'Keefe . After visiting Ghost Ranch a few years ago I see why she painted them so big. I could fit my hand into the center of the flower.

10" x 15" Oil on Board I was trying out a new technique with this one! I first sketch the drawing onto the board, then outlined it with Black Acrylic. The painting technique was about brush strokes, but the design for me doesn't work. The middle flower doesn't look as it did in life. So this is what painting studies are for, learning by painting and posting paintings 5 days a week. This is my goal for the summer, so far I'm still trying to get to paint 5 a week! So do I skrape off the paint, or start new?

11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper

11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper Step 3

11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper Step 2

11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper Step 1

11" x 14" on Watercolor Paper Once step 2 was completed I realized that the splatters of paint were too much. So using an old tooth brush I removed some of the color on the flowers and leaves. Once this was dry I wet each flower and Stem seperatedly and drop in a medium value of Purple. The last step was to outline the flowers and stems with a Fine Sharpie Pen. Fun beginning project!

11" x 14" on Watercolor Paper Step 2 Once the paper was completely dry, using a dark value of Green, Blue Green and Purple I painted the dark background. Going around the flowers.

11" x 14 " on Watercolor Paper Step 1 I added 4 stain colors to create the background....once the surface starter to dry I splattered water with the #8 round brush. As the surface started to dry, I also splattered paint.

Brittney & Luke This is my granddaughter with her new husband. Boy do I feel my age!

15" x 16" Watercolor on Paper I'm still not happy with the hands! But as you know the left brain takes over. I need to step back for a few days, before I try to fix them! I always like to get away from it for a few days before I sign it. This will give me a chance to be more objective. I don't know why we can't critique our own work!

Step 2 The first step was to drop in Ultramarine Blue, Blue Gray and a little Gamboge , just to tint the paper. Next I started painting the veins on the flowers with Blue Gray and Blue Green. Next I started working on the leaves with a Blue Green and a mixed Green. Take notice of the Purple in the flowers. I didn't see this until I started painting! Remember the first lesson in painting is to LOOK AT THE SUBJECT!

15" x 16" Watercolor on Paper A couple of weeks ago I was teaching a 3 day workshop in Indianapolis, Indiana. I took the time to visit the Indy Museum of Art. WOW! What a collection! The first day I visited I was there 3 hours, needed more time, so I went back one evening, spent another 3 hours. This O'Keeffe Painting was about 6'x6', it just took my breath away. Of course, it was painted in oils but as you can see I've painted it in watercolors. This was such a fun project. Hope you enjoy the step by step.