Cocos

We just returned from Mexico and while we were there, I painted this one.  Technically, I started it at home a few years ago and never seemed to find the motivation to finish it.  So I decided to take it on a tropical vacation and, while being in the right atmosphere, it seemed to finish itself.

When I look at coco palm trees, I can feel my blood pressure drop and I get a feeling of tranquility.  That's probably because, in my mind, coconut palms and vacation are linked together.

This was painted with acrylics.  I just started using some of the Golden Open acrylics and I'm enjoying them a bit more than regular acrylics.  They stay wet longer so I have more time to blend and play with the paint.  I still fight with this medium more than any other but I am determined to someday finish an acrylic painting without uttering one single swear word.

Cocos
Image Size 14" x 14"
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas with sides painted

Tropics

I'm back to playing with the palette knife.  I've been having so much fun painting beach scenes that I wanted to try it with another tool.  I'm not sure how successful the palm trees are but they sure were fun to paint.

Tropics
6" x 6"
Oil

Silk Coconuts - Silk Painting

Here is a silk painting that I did this week.  It is 25" x 25" and can be worn as a scarf (the edges are sewn) or my intention was to stretch it and frame it as I do with most of my silk paintings.  I took WIP pictures of this and made a Flikr slideshow from it.  You can see them by visiting their site here.  This silk hasn't been steamed yet.  The colors will become more intense after steaming.
By the way, if any of you know how to get a Flikr slideshow to play on a blog, please let me know.  I would be much happier if the pictures were here rather than having to send people to their site.


Also this week, I was thrilled to receive 1st place in watercolor at the annual Tustin Art League member show for 'Wavering Muse' which is shown below.

I posted her a few months ago.  Even though she's a bit crazy, this is one of my favorite paintings and it was really fun and challenging to paint.

Tropical Silk - Silk Paintings

Another silk painting for this week. I have always liked tropical art and I've been digging out my photos of tropical subjects because I'm in the mood to paint some now. I may try palm trees in some other mediums. I may do this design again in silk with brighter colors. I may do so many tropical paintings that you get tired of seeing them. I hope not because I really enjoy having you all visit my blog. : )

Tropical Silk

Image Size 16" x 20"

Silk dyes on silk

Framed
$400.00

Three Birds

I finished another unfinished project this week. I started this one in March and was very frustrated with it because it is painted with acrylics and I was really fighting with them. I put the painting aside and planned to finish it with oils but hesitated to admit defeat with the acrylics. I'm becoming much more comfortable with acrylics now and this was almost a joy to work on this week. Will this medium become my favorite? It probably won't but it does have it's place in my arsenal.

Three Birds
Image size 24" x 24"
Acrylics
Unframed, gallery wrapped canvas, no framed needed
Sold

coconut cluster watercolor

This was painted from the same photo as the ACEO I posted on Friday but is a much larger painting. It is a watercolor and is 22" x 30"

Coconut Cluster Watercolor
Image size 22" x 30"
Unframed