Out with a Bark

I have been busy painting these last few months and not enough of writing my blog!  So, here are a few of my recent painting commissions.  Sometimes a "picture" is better than words anyway!

Florida Holly Robins Watercolor

I just finished this watercolor on Aquaboard of Robins I happened to see a while back in a local tree here in Florida.  I was doing a morning walk and saw a huge flock enjoying the red berries in a Brazilian Pepper tree, also know as the Florida Holly.  They must have stopped on their way back north for a quick snack.  I enjoyed working on the aquaboard and am entering the painting in the upcoming "Art by the Sea" show sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club.  It is held at the amazing Vero Beach Art Museum.

Humane Society "Feather Heart"

 

I met a sweet woman by chance that volunteers at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and she was looking to create a piece of art for the office of the Volunteer Coordinator Milissa.  I have never met Milissa but heard she has been through some tough times, so something inside me just said "I can do something".  This project evolved from the four blank canvases I was given to this 32" x 40" acrylic painting.  I was inspired by all the animals that the Humane Society rescues and also learned that Milissa loved Peacocks!  I am really happy with the results and it now hangs in her office.  I hope it gives her joy as she does her wonderful work at the Humane Society.

Cats

Birds

Animals

Dogs

It's a Winner!

My Aquabord experiment worked out well!  I really enjoyed working on this surface and won first place at the Cinco de Mayo show at the Artists Guild of Vero Beach!  I also painted the sides with watercolor after adding a few coats of sanded gesso and an absorbent ground.  The final process was spraying the entire surface and painting it with a protective UV varnish.  If it doesn't sell I will be posting it in my Etsy shop.

New Surfaces

I decided to enter a "cinco de mayo" show at a local gallery that requires all the artwork to be no larger than 5".   I love painting small and my favorite surface for years has always been Crescent Watercolor board.  I bought a small panel of "Aquabord" mounted on a 2" cradled birch panel.  A few of my favorite watercolor artist's use this, so I decided to try it too.  I have my design sketched out for a life size Anole Lizard that I took photos of in a bougainvillea plant.  They are such wonderful creatures and I hope I do him justice. 

Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy

I haven't posted much lately, but just finished this little Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy that I have wanted to paint for years!  When I got my second Ridgeback "Dante" in 1995, I took pictures of all the puppies from the litter.  This little girl was so adorable and she always stuck in my mind.  It is a small watercolor painting with the image measuring 4 1/2" x 6 1/2".  I am really pleased with it and will have it for sale at the upcoming "Art Show in the Park" being held on March 21st at Riverside Park with the Sebastian Art Club.

Playing with the Fishies

Taking a break from my usual paintings to play with the fishies!  These are opaque watercolor and both matted to fit an 8" x 10" frame.  I really feel like exploring more creative outlets for my new found inspiration in Florida.  Available for sale on my Etsy shop at:
 https://www.etsy.com/listing/209449669/funny-fish-original-watercolor-8-x-10?