Thursday, July 21, 2011

"Varietal Vine"



18" x 24" Framed Watercolor
Most people just walk past everyday objects. They look at a field of grape vines and only see rows of greenery. But, I am drawn to looking further, seeking out the grapes and then marveling at how luscious they look, how the sun illuminates everything, and the multitude of colors within the grape, the leaves, the vine.

Each grape is painted with at least 6 glazes (thin washes of pigment) only after each layer is thoroughly dry. This creates a luminosity and glow that is so inherent in transparent watercolors. The light goes through each layer, bounces off the white paper, through the layers, back to your eye and creates that glow!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

"Pigeon Whisperer"

18" x 24" Framed Watercolor
I saw this French Man sitting in the Plaza outside of  Notre Dame in Paris, one late October afternoon. I was mesmerized with the way the pigeons allowed him to hold them long after the seeds he had been feeding them were gone. I imagine this was a daily diversion with his "friends" to while away the long afternoons. One can linger long, looking into his eyes, imagining sadness perhaps, or seeing beyond that into the depths of his life's experiences. Perhaps longing for the past? Perhaps grateful for a full life. That, can be determined by the viewer!