SF Botanical Garden

there is a free day at the SF Botanical Garden once a month, but I rather accidentally ended up there on the free day! I happened to have my painting kit with me and so I thought I would find plentiful subjects there. I wandered around the 55 acres for over an hour, ending up near the main gate where there were some magnificent crabapple trees blooming. I have never had a lot of luck or skill at painting flowering trees, but they were so beautiful I had to try again.

It was pretty late by the time I got back around to that location, and the sun was streaming over the lawn from a low point, making these great shadows that are really fun. It seems the trick is to simplify the trees, just making them into shapes.

Hot off the easel—sold!

Painting in my back yard with cascades of flowers can be fun too! The nasturtiums were growing with leaves the size of dinner plates, and the ever-present morning glory was being, well, glorious, so I had to try a flower painting. As it’s not my usual subject, I had no idea if it would become something I liked, but I kept some of it graphic, and for a very fast painting, I think it turned out well.

Nasturtiums and Morning Glories grow wild

mosaic of my kitty cat

While out in my garden, I unearthed a small mosaic memorial I made for my cat about 10 years ago.

Painting nominated for a recognition!

My Sunflowers  painting was nominated for an art blog still life recognition! If you have a minute, vote for your favorite starting tomorrow http://bit.ly/W0ovaJ

My good friend Jana Bouc nominated this painting on the Making a Mark blog. She has told me that she fell in love with the painting — it’s not just because she knows me! I consider her a dedicated and careful painter and really appreciate her vote of confidence. She has a painting up for vote as well at  http://makingamark.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/portrait-nominations-for-best-artwork-MAMAwards2012.html

 

 

Sunflowers

The Shadow is what drew me originally to painting these sunflowers. I love sunflowers, but they are often over- or under-done in paintings so I have avoided them when often I might have tried it in the past. I like the way these came out, they are lively enough to make me envision the real thing!