The world of flowers

Living in a city like Austin, Texas, where both public and private gardens abound, my artist's eye often finds inspiration in the organic color and form of the flora and fauna.  I've often found that people who would not generally collect or appreciate art can readily be drawn to paintings that depict this natural beauty.  Beyond, in the practical sense, selling well, these works are satisfying to me because of my long affinity for vibrant color.  Watercolor is a great medium to capture the flowers' essence.  I prefer to work quickly and loosely in order to accomplish this in a way that can reveal the inherent spirit without being photographically detailed.  Here are three examples of quick watercolor sketches, accomplished with a flat brush and a limited palette...

Red Study I

Red Study II


Sunshine

These three little paintings were each completed on a quarter-sheet of Arches CP140 paper, and each took less than 30 minutes to do.

The next painting was done by applying the same approach to a full sheet (22" X 30").  I love being able to exercise spontaneity in what could be termed a gestural / calligraphic style of painting.  This bouquet of nasturtiums adorned the patio table of my neighbor.  It was almost as if they spoke to me, urging me to get them down in all their glory that summer afternoon.

Nasturtiums

There's a bit of a story behind this next painting.  It wasn't a homework assignment...but my best friend's dog ate it.  Really.  My friend was mortified that it happened, and almost afraid to tell me...but when she did, all I could do was laugh.  Dogs will be dogs.  Dolly also ate another painting entitled Grace.  My retort was 'Dolly's full of grace'.  What can one do in a situation like this but find the humor?  I was so relieved that my friend didn't have truly dire news to relate...and we still laugh about it to this day.  Dolly and I were always on good terms, and I maintain that she was drawn to my scent on the paintings, and that it was more an act of love than destruction.

Sunshine

Still using a limited palette and keeping it loose, dropping in color in a wet-on-wet technique, I worked at capturing the strength and resiliency of a bunch of Gerber Daisies.  I really took a 'Zen approach' of 'less is more', and with simple calligraphic brushstrokes, implied the details of the flowers and the negative space surrounding them.

Gerber Medley

A friend of mine gave me a bouquet made up of a ginger stalk, a palm frond, a banana leaf, a succulent stalk, and an interesting purple leaf as a part of a birthday gift, and said 'I thought you might find this interesting to paint.'  She was right.  By taking the single elements and turning them in various directions, I was able to create a pleasing arrangement that changed as I worked, drawing with a brush on watercolor paper, as a part of the evolution of the painting.  Midway through the process, I had to make a work-related trip, and I broke my right arm.  What started out as a playful creative journey became therapy in earnest, as my PT encouraged me to work on hand control. Holding a brush turned out to be a great way to accomplish this.  This painting is the result...

Abundant Ginger

About a month later, I was given a bouquet of Stargazer Lilies as a holiday gift.  These have long been a family favorite, for various occasions.  I personally consider them to be one of the most glorious flowers on this Earth, and was determined to do them justice.

Stargazer Lilies

Last, but definitely not least, is this painting of a very small flower stalk that I spied with the telephoto lens of my old Canon 35mm camera while visiting the St. Louis Climatron Dome.  The plant itself was huge, and was growing in an artificial tropical environment.  Its crowning glory was the three-inch flower stalk depicted here.

Study in Green

If one weren't paying attention, this beauty could easily be missed altogether.  This little wonder is a great example of the value of looking more closely at the world around us.  I'm gratified that it now hangs in a place of honor, warmly greeting visitors.

Many artists, when painting florals, resort to sweet pastels.  The renderings are detailed realism, and often come across as cold and  saccharine, in my opinion.  I have been determined to paint florals boldly and in such a way that they come off the page, allowing their spirit to be experienced by the viewer, a reminder for us all to slow down and to visually 'breathe in' the beauty that surrounds us.