Two tree paintings

I love trees; they are so varied and beautiful.  Late last year Carla Sonheim offered Diane Culhane's online class, "For the Love of a Tree".  I signed up immediately :-)

One of Diane's assignments was to create two small 5" x 5" paintings focusing on value. 

The first painting began with a warm base color to which was added its complementary color:

Blue-violet overlaying Yellow-orange

After much layering of opaque and transparent colors, the finished painting:

The second painting began with a cool color which was overlaid by its complementary color:

Vat orange overlaid with cobalt blue.

Final painting:

I enjoy the spontaneity of this approach.  I have to suspend judgment and to go along with what happens, respond to the previous mark or color, allow for accidents - very liberating :-)

Year of the Fairy Tale break or... scratch and stipple :-)

Year of the Fairy Tale is on a short break.  Perfect timing because Diane Culhane's online workshop, "Paint Your Garden" started on Monday.  Last year I took a class from her called "Between Speech and Silence" that I enjoyed immensely.  Understandably I was eagerly anticipating this latest offering and I have not been disappointed :-)

Monday - some quick, small studies:

Scratching an imaginary plant.

And then another one...

Next, some fun tree shapes:

A gold one....dab, dab, dab.

A red tree (my favorite)

And finally, more stippling to create the purple one :-)

Studio time is best when the work is all consuming and I lose track of time. But on the other hand, regaining a foot hold in the unfolding day is necessary.  Fortunately I have this guy -

Good dog, Remy.

who reminds me that it's time to take a break and get outdoors for walkies :-)

I see this every morning...

from my window:

Delicate leaves.