Fruits and Flowers Exhibit 2017

Below is a Triptych 54" x 24" titled "Juliana's Secret Garden", oil on gessoed board. Although each board can stand on it's own with it's own center of interest, it is meant to be viewed as a whole piece. My client wanted a tropical theme and I personalized it with their granddaughter's image to give it a "storybook" feel, with the oversized orchids seeming to whisper among themselves and Juliana contemplating the approaching birds.

The image below shows me working on two large (50" x 36") canvas paintings of flowers from my own images which I view on my computer monitor for details. Each flower has been arranged to complement each other harmoniously, like actors in a play. I first determine which flowers will be the "stars" of the composition, then work my way around them, adding more flowers, leaves, stems as I see fit. I then do an underpainting in acrylics then add subsequent glazes of oil paint , sometimes using a soft haired brush to eliminate texture as needed. I don't attempt to make it realistic in terms of sun direction/shadows, realistically natural colors and background, mainly attempting to showcase the beauty of each individual flower by choosing bold, 'head on' flower images...rather like large botanical paintings. Finished paintings shown below.

Please click here to view some paintings from the current exhibit.