Sunday, September 29, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 18- 9x12 on watercolor board
On this page Booger assures Bernie that their house will not flood because it is so much higher than the street. We know that isn't going to end well....!
These pages of flooding, blowing wind, and night rain have presented quite a challenge. I am pretty happy with this page, just a few more tweaks and I think it will be fine. I will post some other night scenes this week. Trying to print this soon. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 6-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and Booger notice the wind beginning to blow wildly. Bernie refers to his puffy hind quarters as trousers and Booger and Bernie both share a laugh about how funny he looks. Little do they know about the adventure they are about to embark upon!
I am having such fun with the pages, can't wait for it all to be done and ready to view!
Thanks for viewing my blog.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 13-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Hurricane Katrina was coming, a Category 4, the worst in decades. Bernie was so frightened of storms. ...this is one page of a two page spread, also showing the viscous winds blowing in on the shoreline. I was very happy with the way Bernie came out, I felt like I captured that look Bernie gets when he hears a storm. So true to character for Bernie! Thanks for viewing my blog.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 26-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Bernie and Booger wait for their family to arrive at the animal shelter and take them home.
I had posted this page earlier in black and white so here it is with watercolor added. I am having so much fun with watercolor, I had not painted in watercolor in quite some time. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 9-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Here is the color version of yesterday's post. I still have a little tweeking to do but thought I would go ahead and post. The sunset paintings always take longer to nail the colors and still not happy with the sky. I will repost when I think I have achieved the effects I am after. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 9- 9x12 pen and ink on cradle board
In this drawing Bernie and Booger's friend Grady and his faithful bulldog Lucky head home through the deserted streets.
I am presently applying watercolor to this page. It is a bit of a challenge because it is an evening scene. All the colors become muted and reflect the evening sky which is very tricky when I am just doing the color scheme from memory with no true reference on this drawing. I will post the color version tomorrow! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 10-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and Booger wait for their family to come home. The house is dark and the neighborhood is unusually quiet. They wait at  the window unaware of the torrential storm on the horizon. Booger assures Bernie that all will be fine! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 8-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Bernie and Booger's friends Grady and his bulldog Lucky stand at the bus stop. His neighbors are boarding a bus after the mayor decreed to evacuate the city. Grady refuses to leave his faithful friend "Lucky" the bulldog behind. This was one of the faults of the New Orleans evacuation, there was no consideration of the pets and animals of New Orleans. Authorities learned from these mistakes in future city evacuations the animals were allowed on the buses etc. Bernie and Booger will be glad to see Grady and Lucky soon! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 11- 9x12 watercolor on cradle board
The boys curl ed up together that night never leaving each other's side. . . . On this page Bernie and Booger waited all night for their family to come home, finally falling asleep beside each other. Unknown to them are the impending flood waters that they will soon encounter changing their lives for ever. This page will be painted in purple and blues my favorite colors to use, can't wait to paint this one! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Advenuture

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 2- 9x12 watercolor on panel board
This page depicts the colorful New Orleans streets lined with buses as the evacuation of people begins before Hurricane Katrina. With my background in architectural illustration I loved working on this page, brings back many memories of hours at the drafting table. However, I was very comfortable working on this page, the animal pics are much more of a challenge since I have not done much wildlife or animal art. I hope to be doing a lot more. I am presently putting the color on this page and intend to post it tomorrow with color. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 17-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and  Booger after swimming out of their flood ravaged house, pull themselves upon a nearby rooftop. They are shivering and dripping wet in the cold dark flooding waters but happy to have made it to higher ground. They wait to be rescued..... Stay tuned. Spending all day watercoloring pages tomorrow so excited to have the week to spend on color! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure-The Katrina Dogs
Page 16- 9x12 watercolor on panel
I can't wait to paint this page. The reference for the water is so lovely I hope I can do it justice! This page depicts the boys paddling out of the front door and the water bursts through, searching for something to cling to or get them out of the flood waters. Today I finished adding color to the first page, I am pleased with the way it came out but I better go faster. I want to publish the book by the end of September. Working Hard to get this done! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 5 9x12 - Pen and Ink on panel
On this page the boys are going for a walk unaware of the impending storm. It's a sunny day but then the wind begins to pick up and blow wildly. Wait and see what happens on the next page, it's kinda funny. This is the first page I am applying color to and I am very excited to finally be to that stage. This first page of applying color has taken quite a while. I think I can pick up my pace once I get in a groove with how I want it all to appear. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure- The Katrina Dogs

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure- The Katrina Dogs
Children's Book Coming October
Over the next few weeks I will be featuring pages from my children's book releasing in October. I was inspired to write this book in hope's of encouraging animal adoption to an up and coming generation. Also, I intend to donate a percentage of the sales to animal rescue. I have always been concerned with this issue and hope that my book is my way of giving back to a cause that is dear to my heart!
Thanks for viewing my blog!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The Katrina Dogs- Bernie and Beau's Hurricane Adventure

The Katrina Dogs- Bernie and Beau's Hurricane Adventure
20x24- Acrylic
I have just finished roughing in all the pages for my upcoming children's book so I thought I would start by reposting the cover. I have spent many hours on all the pages and the story that I wrote. I am working very hard to have the book complete and published for the fall. I will be posting some pages to share in their rough stages. I am very excited to continue this process and look forward to sharing the progress. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Purple Cabbage II

Purple Cabbage II
18x24 Oil Painting
The purple cabbage contains beautiful nuances in luminosity that prove to be a real challenge to capture. The cabbage is an everyday object that is always viewed below eyelevel never presented at eyelevel and seen for their amazing colors and depth. As I worked on my thesis I was fascinated to read Looking at the Overlooked- Four Essays on Still Life Painting by Norman Bryson. I learned that there actually is a study on the type of still life painting I do -rhopography. Rhopography is the study of still life painting of insignificant or unimportant objects presented as important. I had been doing this all my life and didn't know there was a name for it! Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints are available at fineartamerica.com  http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Marlboro Madness

Marlboro Madness
3-12x12 triptych Mixed Media
This triptych, another in the blacktop series focuses on the debris left along the road by the people who pass by. When I think of a blacktop road I think about all that travel along its path, most never actually experiencing the road. Most are flying by on the way to someplace else.
I liked the parallels between the marlboro cigarette package I found along the road and the notion of what cigarette's do to one's body. The blacktop seems like the tar that is made by the lungs when one smokes and the package is flung so carelessly aside the way life is also flung aside when one chooses to smoke. No I did not wish to make an ad against smoking, just thought the parallels were kinda a fun play. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Empathy

Empathy
3-12x12 triptychs Mixed Media
This collection is another in my series about the microcosms of existence and life from the blacktop road. In these paintings I thought about this tiny, beautiful frog not understanding that its life is inconsequential in the big picture. The frog loses his life on the road and its little spirit or light of energy passes into another realm. It makes me think about how our own lives are so small in the scheme of things. Or maybe it's just about how we touch the people around us and that's all that really makes us special! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Monday, August 26, 2013

In The Shadows

In The Shadows
3-12x12 Mixed Media Triptych
This work is another in my triptych series exploring the insignificant existence of life below our feet on the blacktop road. This work is an abstract which contemplates a birds life and parallel existence in a world ruled by man. The silhouettes of birds in the abstract painting makes  one think of birds in the wild and their plight along the roads and highways. The shapes seem to appear out of the blacktop road.
These paintings were created from my walks and reflections thereof, on blacktop roads after moving from the city to the country. There was a great deal of sublife left by the inhabitants and human passerbys on the blacktop. Which made me think of the fragility of life and brevity all living things are faced with. There was also the richness of that heavy texture and deep charcoal tone of the road. These were all so new to a city girl such as myself that I felt they must be conveyed. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Ant Hills

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The Ant Hills
3-12x12 Mixed Media Triptych
The mixed media triptychs I created were again focusing upon the value of the insignificant. The Ant Hills, seeks to study the subtle values within the ant mounds. The mounds present to the viewer the contemplation that while we think the world revolves around us, the all important humans on planet earth, here within an ant mound is the thought that to the ant "his world" is the all important world. Of course the ant below our feet is unimportant to us! Perhaps we are the unimportant and below another beings feet somewhere in the universe! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Vintage Sky

Vintage Sky
10x10 Encaustic
I wanted to share this encaustic, I had dabbled in this medium and enjoyed it immensely, but ultimately went back to my first love of painting. I thought my online audience would enjoy seeing these endeavors so I will be occasionally posting the various works that I created. This particular creation was an experimentation with india inks as a line drawing of branches and sky. The organic qualities of working with beeswax is very conducive because the smells and textures are so calming and relaxing. I tried this meduim because painting in mixed media is my first love so I wanted to have this skill at hand. I have been able to apply these lessons to a variety of different mixed media paintings that I have done. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Storms a Brewin'

Storms a Brewin'
18x24 Oil Painting
In my continuing study of gestural landscape I was playing with the ideas of large simple shapes and simple brushstrokes to define direction and motion. Also, the sharp contrasts of the deep browns to the white billowy clouds add to the drama of the painting.  I had been studying the landscapes of modernist painter Maynard Dixon and I am sure you can certainly see the influences. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Treescape Gesture

Treescape Gesture
18x36 Oil Painting
This painting is intended to convey the gesture and motion one feels when viewing a landscape. The sway of the trees, the movement of the clouds, the reflection of the water all present a direction and create a painting of pure gestural design.This abstraction of reality hopefully conveys to the viewer a parallel of some similar experience they my have once felt. So through the painting I hope that I have connected with a fellow lover of the essence of the landscape. This painting is a quick study, unlike many of my very detailed works, something very different for me and very freeing. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Whimsical Creature

Whimsical Creature
8x10 Mixed Media
I enjoy isolating certain areas of my photographs for my painting compositions. In this painting there were tiny spirals within the cabbage that reminded me of some sort of futuristic snail type creature.  I sometimes enjoy making a painting that is purely for fun. This image looked like a little creature emerging from his organic "cave" and just now emerging into the light. It makes me smile everytime I look at it. What do you see in the shapes? Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Curly Kale Hidden Leaf

Curly Kale Hidden Leaf
8x10 Mixed Media 
This study of kale leaves focuses on the tender hidden leaves shaded away from the everyday passerby. I especially liked this choice as it reminded me of the storybook illustrators of the golden age of storybook illustrations. Kay Neilsen, Maxfield Parrish are two of my favorites. One could almost picture a gnome stepping out from the shadows with some special treasure he found on the  forest floor. 
 I composed this painting so the direction of the leaves would control the viewer's eye and draw the viewer  into the vortex of the painting. The light and dark contrasts are also intended to achieve this. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Cabbage and a Sunny Day

Cabbage and a Sunny Day
36x36 Mixed Media
I have always loved the concept used in the still life genre of rhopography meaning still life's of unimportant objects presented at a level of importance or at eye level. With this still life of the cabbage the viewer is invited to view the lowly cabbage larger than life and exhibited at a height which appreciates all the lush detail, color and shape that rarely magnified upon. Georgia O'Keefe often talked about expressing the spiritual essence of the animals or plants she portrayed. I enjoy presenting that same idea in my work. Thanks for viewing my blog! If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints of this painting are available at Fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,


Friday, August 16, 2013

Curly Kale

Curly Kale
20x36 Mixed Media
The undulating leaves of  purple kale make me think of a dancer's swirling skirt swaying with her movements. I intended for the composition to control the viewer's eye in and out of the swirling forms. This painting was one in a series completed for my thesis show. I played with various design systems within the book by Jay Hambidge and the concepts of dynamic symmetry. I taught myself a lot about composition while working on my thesis. There is not enough emphasis put on composition in the schools, it is much more about expression.  Thanks for viewing my blog! If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints of this painting are available at Fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Habitat

Habitat
12x36 Mixed Media
 I took a section of a photograph  I took and created a painting that reminded me of a habitat for some tiny creature on the forest floor. If you notice the small dark opening on the upper left third of the painting, surely something resides there.
 I like the way this painting is organic abstraction in that the subject is unrecognizable from what the original photograph is that of some decaying cabbage leaves. I experimented with creating luminosity through the use of the white of the paper in this mixed media abstract. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints are available at fineartamerica.com ,

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Greenscape

Greenscape
24x36-Mixed Media
This painting also 
  This painting also explores areas within photographs taken of the various cabbages I was using for my still life series. I sought to present areas as studies in light and shadow which create dynamic compositions and become a dynamic design and not readily recognizable as anything but organic form.
  In this painting I isolated the areas which seemed to make a sensuous sort of landscape complete with archways and figurative shape. I liked the way the leaves created a sort of otherworldliness inviting it's viewer to another world beyond. Its surrealist landscape makes me think that a being not of this world  might step out of the shadows at any moment in this organic, yet futuristic landscape. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints of this painting are available at fineartamerica.com ,    http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Soaring

Soaring
36x52-Mixed Media
In this painting I was exploring areas within photographs taken of the various cabbages I was using for my still life series. I sought to present areas as studies in light and shadow which create dynamic compositions and become a dynamic design and not readily recognizable as anything but organic form.
I really liked the way the spines of the cabbage gave the impression of aerial landscapes. The undulating edges of the leaves on the right created an opening which when casting its shadow reminded me of two birds joining their beaks together in unison and creating and endless oval below. I thought this a very powerful image so it was worthy of a painting. The dark blue green which recedes against the leaves edges reminds me of a far away vanishing field. I really liked the way this composition gives one a sense or height and flying. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Ephemeral Life

Ephemeral Life
36x36 Mixed Media
This painting is another in my  master's' thesis work which explored the still life genre of rhopography which is considered still life's that explore insignificant or still life's whose subjects present items considered not of historical importance. My work focused on the lowly cabbage as historically important yet not readily recognized as thus. Or to put another way, the significance or things insignificant. I chose this because I felt it related to events in my own life.
 In this painting Ephemeral Life, I found that the dead parched cabbage though cast off and overlooked, is actually quite beautiful and metaphorical in it's representation of a life gone by. The subtle colors within the earthtone palette were very intriguing to me. All the soft pinks, purples and greens within the parched leaves I felt were colors not realized by a casual passerby. I wanted to call notice to beauty within what might otherwise be considered an uninteresting parched pile of foliage. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact the artist. Prints are available at fineartamerica.com

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Landscape In Blue

Landscape In Blue
36x48 Oil
This is another in my landscape series that seeks to convey the expression of the landscape rather than a realistic depiction. George Inness the great luminist and forerunners of abstract expression sought to do this in his fabulously expressive work.  One of my favorite painting of Inness is  Home of the Heron, 1893  the painting is a great example of this. One can practically hear the wings of the heron flapping as it takes off at the end of the day as the sunsets. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting are available at Fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Composition In Purple and Green

Composition In Purple and Green
36x48 Oil on Linen
I have experimented extensively with abstract landscapes. The inspiration for this particular painting comes from the water reflections and tree line beyond the water that I look at everyday. Especially in the evening the colors are mesmerizing.  This image was a bit life changing for me so it will always be a part of me as an artist.
When I first tried to capture the image of the water, reflections and the incredible colors created at sunset, I realized that unless it was conveyed in abstract form it would not convey the expression felt when experiencing it. I hope you visit my blog often this image will appear in a myriad of colors and shapes. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this image are available at Fineartamerica.com ,http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Road to Santa Fe

Road to Santa Fe
30x30 Oil
This is my first palette knife painting but it certainly won't be my last. The reference I was using contained some adobes in Santa Fe. The colors and textures of the southwest lent itself so well to the use of the palette knife. In this painting I wanted to convey the festive shapes and colors of the architecture not a tight rendition of adobes which my background in architectural illustration makes me want to do. 
I am traditionally a thin painter when it comes to paint application. So this was a very freeing experience for me. This canvas has tons of paint on it! Palette knife painter Laurie Justus Pace presented a workshop over the weekend which I attended and had a wonderful day. Stay tuned I am a palette knife convert.Thanks for viewing my blog. For purchasing information please contact me. Prints will be available at fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Monday, August 5, 2013

Hibiscus

Hibiscus
30x46
I wanted to express the passion one feels when experiencing the intense colors of the tropics. The undulating petals of the red hibiscus create a very sensuous rhythm of values inviting the viewer to imagine themselves somewhere tropical with a warm breeze and the taste of the sea coming to mind. Large fields of red are always such a pleasure to render. In this painting the red pastels are almost like paintings with fire they are so intense and expressive, one of my favorite mediums. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints are available at fineartamerica.com, http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,

Friday, August 2, 2013

Magnolia

Magnolia
8x8 Acrylic
The  magnolia flowers  white  petals are so fleshy  and reflective. They create the most beautiful myriad of shadows in their convex and concave sculptural shapes. The deep, lush, leathery, forest green foliage is also very sculptural in its forms. I wanted to create a play with abstraction of form against the realistic rendition of the flower. When I painted this piece I was thinking of the feeling I get when I see the first magnolias of spring and the smell of their indescribable soft scent is anticipated. I hope when you view this painting  you can appreciate the dappling of sunlight on the petals that I intended. Prints of this painting are available at fineartamerica.com http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all, Thanks for viewing my blog.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra
18x18 Acrylic
This little guy was crooning away by moonlight to find his own true love. He was such a great crooner that I named the painting after Ole' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. I was fascinated by all the pearlescent colors in his throat as he bellowed away. I had not done much in the wildlife category so I wanted to see if I could pull it off. I am fascinated by rendering subjects by evening or moonlight I think it adds such intrigue and is a bit of a challenge. Thanks for viewing my blog. If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me. Prints are available at Fineartamerica.com ,http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Poppies

Poppies
2"x3"- Acrylic
This abstract was inspired by the intense colors and horizons in beautiful Canada. The poppies around Chateau Lake Louise in contrast with the bright yellow flowers were dazzling. This little painting expresses that beauty in through shapes color and composition. I like this study so much it just might become a large painting! For purchasing information please contact me.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Lake Louise

Lake Louise
2"x3"- Acrylic
This little painting inspired by the incredible view from Chateau, Lake Louise whichshows Lake Louise in the summer. I sought to convey the incredible, frigid, turquoise glacial water and all its beauty to my viewer. This composition experiments with triangle shapes and backlit coloring to control the eye of its audience. Notice how your eye goes directly to the sunny snow bank beyond the dark tree line beyond Lake Lousie. All this is achieved thorough the compostion and play of contrast dark against light, light against dark. Thanks for viewing my blog. For purchasing information please contact me- donnapage7@gmail.com

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Rockfall

Rockfall
14 x 36 Pastel
This painting was inspired from a photo taken at a national park outside of Banff, Canada. The river ran at the bottom of a deep gorge that had been eroded over thousands of years. The  walk along the gorge inspired me to try to capture all the wonderful textures and depths I perceived along the way. If you count there are six different depth of field within the painting. The illusion of 3-D fascinates me and is something ever present in my work. With this painting the idea of high contrast and dark against light, light against dark is applied back and forth. I love the way the darks draw the eye into the picture and controls the eye. Thank-you for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting are available at FineArtAmerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Dan Enger Fine Art

Dan Enger Fine Art
18x20 Pastel
Another in my series from New Mexico one early morning while collecting reference photos around the square in Taos, New Mexico, I noticed a wonderful intensely orange screen door with wonderful wood cut work embellishments on the door.  The proprietor of the shop was sitting outside the door having an early morning smoke. I like the way the smoke was billowing up as if to symbolize his reflections on the coming day of creating and working in his shop. All of the shadows and colors make me jealous of the artists fortunate enough to live in such a beautiful place. Thanks for viewing my blog. To purchase this work please contact me at donnapagefineart.com. To purchase prints please visit fineartamerica.com http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Lucky Man

Lucky Man
18x24 Pastel
Gnomes always bring a bit of whimsy and belief that they possess "good luck" to their owners. I happened upon this "good luck" gnome in a garden in New Mexico. The blank stare of gnome statues always make me laugh like they see the future or have some secret they know about their gazers. This gnome was hidden in the back of the garden as if to save his good luck for the person inquisitive enough to search for the smaller details and as I always search in my work for the unexpected and  beauty often overlooked. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting are available at fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,
 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Beinvenidos Bed and Breakfast

Beinvenidos Bed and Breakfast
18x24- Pastel
On a recent visit to Taos I was snapping a picture of this wonderful bed and breakfast when one of the innkeepers happend into the photo. I knew I was going to paint this... al the great colors and local ambiance were too charming. 
The pastels lend themselves perfectly to the coarse textures and vibrant colors of New Mexico. Thanks for viewing my blog. Contact the artist for purchasing information. Prints of this painting are available at Fineartamerica.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,

Monday, July 22, 2013

Paintbrush

 Paintbrush
8x10 Acrylic on Panel Board
In this painting I wanted to pay special attention to the memories I have as a child when was I so intrigued by the petals of the indian paintbrush wildflower. They reminded me of a flame going from pale yellow to that wonderful intense burgundy at the center just like a fire!  The reference photo for this painting was also taken in New Mexico so the colors are more intense. The use of a number of glazes on the petals achieved the flamelike blend that I wanted to accomplish. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting are available at FineArt America.com , http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all,

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Morning Glory

Morning Glory
5x7 Acrylic
Another of my wildflower series is this little morning glory painting. The painting is done from a photo taken in New Mexico where colors are always more intense and it is just my desire as a painter to convey those intense colors through the limitations of paint. As with all my still life paintings I enjoy bringing to the viewer front and center objects usually organic that are often overlooked and not really presented for the singular beauty in for example a single morning glory. Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting may be purchased at FineArtAmerica.com , http:fineartamerica.com/art/alldonna+page/all

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet
20x36 Acrylic
In keeping with the wildflower theme I wanted to paint a Bluebonnet. These wildflowers are certainly dramatic when the fields along Texas highways are blanketed with their intense blue in early spring. However, I have seen very few paintings that show the unique beauty of an individual bloom presented at eye level. I venture to say few lover's of wildflowers have ever actually looked at a bluebonnet. The blooms have so many delicate nuances of color that I find them fascinating. In my painting I really wanted one to feel as though they were a bee honing in on one bloom in a field of blooms! Thanks for viewing my blog. For purchasing print information please go to FineArtAmerica.comhttp://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Friday, July 19, 2013

Windy Thistle

Windy Thistle
24x30
This painting is the next in my wildflower series that concentrates on the prickly purple thistle. The photo I took of the thistle had such beautiful motion and the suggestion of a cross on the top of the bloom. It seemed to take on a personality all it's own as it danced in the wind. I concentrated on spontaneity in the rendering of the sky which I tend to overwork, in this case I was happy with the results the first time. I must learn to be happy with my initial instincts...so easy to overwork a painting.
Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of the painting are available at Fine Art America. com  http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/donna+page/all

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Purple Thistle

Purple Thistle
20x30- Acrylic
This painting of the purple thistle wildflower also has a evening tone to it. I really love the drama it creates. I had been wanting to paint a purple thistle for a long time but knew all the needles would be a challenge. The thistle is another organic still life I like to concentrate on because I think the overlooked insignificant wildflowers have such exquisite beauty and are often unappreciated. I have several more thistle paintings in mind....just not enough hours in the day! Thanks for viewing my blog. Prints of this painting are available at Fine Art America.com

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Pink Cereus

Pink Cereus
16x20 Oil Painting
The pinkish buds of the night blooming cereus have such a graceful rhythm to them.  All the nuances of tone in the slender tendril like petals are difficult to capture. This painting also went through quite a few changes before I felt the shades were quite right.  I hope to paint more flowering cereus' soon they are so intriguing. Thanks for viewing my blog.