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.

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,