A hollyhock beginning...

I've started another hollyhock painting. This size painting has worked out so well for me. I started doing these tall thin works when I had several pieces of watercolor paper that size. I use plexiglass as support for my paper- I just tape the paper on and begin painting. Well, these narrow pieces of paper were left over from trimming the full sheets to fit onto the plexiglass, and I didn't want to waste them. I love floral botanical paintings, and I thought it would be a good idea to paint single flowers, such as irises and hollyhocks, like this one shown here. They seem to sell quite well. People like the small size that fit well around entryways, windows, etc.

These paintings are so much fun to do. Perfect that I got my mailorder of new paint and brushes today! The dominant pink is Windsor Newtons "rose madder genuine." I know it isn't as permanent a color a permanent rose or opera, but the color is the exact match to those gorgeous hollyhocks.

A perfect painting to do on a rainy day!

ArtPark Gallery...

The Buffalo Society of Artists has a gallery at the Buffalo Philharmonic's summer residence at ArtPark in Lewiston. My turn to "sit" the gallery was Friday night. Lots of fun! I got to hear a pre-concert talk by conductor JoAnn Falletta in our gallery. Her picture is on the right. She is so tiny!

The gallery is such a beautiful space. Only open for the summer while the concerts are there.

We've had a few sales so far, and in this economy, that's wonderful!

More beauties...

I realized with my last blog I talked all about the hollyhocks and never included any photos! These are my favorite ones to paint, and people must like them too if I keep selling them! I have been trying to find these single pink ones to plant in my own garden. Last year I bought a hollyhock from a nursery...and it turned out to be a double red. Red is about my least favorite color, and the double ones are so difficult to paint well.
Yesterday, my son surprises me with a begonia he bought from a little stand in front of a neaby house. We went to see it...and there for sale, for only$3, among all the other perennials, were 2 potted hollyhocks! And because 1 was in bloom, I was assured that they were my long desired and oft painted pink single hollyhocks!
Funny too, that earlier in the day I had inquired at a local gift shop about their gorgeous hollyhocks and if they sell them. They sell mums and lilies that they grow, but don't sell their hollyhocks. Never would have believed that later that same day I would get a gift from my son that would lead to me planting my own pink hollyhocks!!
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket.

A Garden walk..

The Clarence Center garden walk has come and gone. Wonderful for flower painters like me...a camera in hand and open gardens to walk through and photograph! These day lilies were gorgeous- I hope I can capture them someday in a watercolor. The Windsor Newton color, vermillion that has been discontinued, will work so well for me in capturing these beauties! Glad I bought some tubes of the color on sale! I also got some great hollyhock photos- perfect time of year to take all the photos I can of the gorgeous, pink single blooms. I've sold all of my hollyhock paintings, so I get the joy of painting some more.
I wish they would also have a walk in the springtime- so I could see all the irises, tulips, daffodils and more. I think my garden looks better then!
Now comes the fun of sorting through photos to paint from. Can there be more hours in the day? Ha Ha!!

Irises in progress...

After several outdoor shows sooooo close together, I have some time before the next, and last, one of the year to do some "fun" paintings, and this is a "fun" one!
I had photographed these beauties a few years ago in Hamilton, Ontario, and I'm finally getting to paint them. This is probably one of my favorite paintings to do. Irises in my favorite colors, with buds that are a blast to do. This is an easy painting to stop and start- a great choice for a summertime painting. With all the outdoor activities, this is one I can pick up and work on when I have time. I'm not sure of the name of these beauties- when I'm there getting photos, I'm too busy to write down the names. If anyone has an idea, I'd love to know!
I'm not sure how this one will end up. It could be close to completion, or I may fill in the leaves quite a bit more. When paintings get to this point, I like to let them "mellow." To sit where I can study them, and it's almost like they tell me-"I'm done," or "I need to darken this, or fix that."
Back to work, or should I say, "fun!"

A "Riverwalk" summary...

The "Art on the Riverwalk" show has come and gone. If I could make one wish...I would wish that all the shows could turn out like that one! I guess it goes to show that winning awards is, for me, not the "be all, end all" for success. I didn't win an award, but my sales were far greater than I could have expected.
It was a gorgeous day- SO nice to not be setting up in a thunderstorm, a la Allentown! While we were setting up, a large bicycle tour rode by, with some of the group stopping to see what we were all doing. I had my most unusual sale ever- a couple on the bike tour bought a print from me that they then wanted me to ship to them, to be there whenever they got home. So the day after the show, I walked to the post office to ship it off....to Iowa! Some bike tour! It was so uplifting to sell something well before the show officially began!
Crowds were wonderful all day. Sales were, too! I enjoyed selling some originals- my two single hollyhock paintings sold- to be hung together in the same house. Great idea.
What a nice show- to sit and watch the Niagara River all day and chat with good friends. The one day, set up and take down is tough, and boy do we still feel it, but all in all it was such an enjoyable show. With this economy to be making any money at all is reward in and of itself.

East Aurora rewind

The 2008 East Aurora show has come and gone. I cannot believe that I was fortunate enough to win Best of Show. It's going to take a long time for that to sink in!
The weather was certainly "iffy" to start, with some real downpours on Saturday morning, but by early afternoon, the sun appeared and we had some nice crowds. It's such a nice show to do. We get to sit on grass under some large trees, and the whole atmosphere is warm and inviting. Sunday started off so beautifully, but by 3 or so the skies opened up- such rain! We ended up leaving early, and I felt so bad for some people who were just arriving! Fortunately, we put up a large plastic sheet that covers the tent, so we, and the watercolors, stayed nice and dry. The fact that we were dry and not closing up helped with sales, as some took refuge in my tent and I sold an additional $100 worth. Not too bad after all.
I do think the economy is having it's effect- I noticed that only 80 artists signed up to participate this year, when capacity for the show is 120. I think some are not travelling to do the shows as much, maybe figuring sales will be down. So far, mine have stayed about the same, and for that, I'm very grateful!