There is just something so wonderful about all the open sky and space. Another watercolor of New Hampshire, 12 x 30"
Wide Open Sky
Skies and clouds in class this week. Hours of watching rugby and the fast deteriorating weather pay off when it comes to painting wide skies and great cloud formations. Here is a relatively benign New Hampshire lake scene done for class. I love the short/wide format when it comes to this subject matter. Watercolor, 8 x 30".
Getting ready for the Humming Birds
At a recent plant sale over the weekend, I ran into Lancelot getting ready to welcome back the humming birds. Lancelot was investing in lots of red flowers. Aided by the squirrels who are very good at sneaking to the start of the line Lancelot had been able to buy many of the best plant specimens. "But why the elephant?" I wondered. Lancelot pointed out that elephants were not specifically forbidden by the Garden Club rules and were much easier to manipulate than the small red wagons usually found at plant sales."Besides" he added "they come with their own inbuilt irrigation watering system." Note to self, I really must get my own elephant, I had no idea they were so useful.
Taos, Early Evening
Watercolor sketch of graveyard at Taos Pueblo, early evening, the violet hour
Turquoise Trail
On the road to Madrid, New Mexico, looking down to the start of the "turquoise trail". First stop, Cerillos, home to many old turquoise mines. Oil on canvas, 12 x 12"
View Through
Looking into a courtyard, late morning light. Oil, 12 x 12"
Embroidered Lawn. 2
Dandelions against a dark night sky,
A weed is only a flower in the wrong place
Late April/early May is the perfect time to appreciate the charms of an " embroidered" lawn. Violets everywhere and thousands of dandelions in among the moss and the struggling grass blades. If only they were less common, their graceful shape might be more appreciated. Violets and dandelions on a very blue watercolor background with white ink.
Hedgecon 2013
I had hoped we might be able to spend some time with Lancelot and co during our time in Santa Fe but unfortunately Lancelot was very busy. However one evening, strolling downtown, we caught sight of the design studio taking a quick break . Editor's note: the squirrels were properly carded.
South West Study
Landscape study inspired by walking up the canyon at Tent Rocks, south of Santa Fe. Acrylic on canvas, beginning with a Burnt Sienna toned background. 12 x 12".
Animals of the Chinese Zodiac
Now back from Santa Fe and Lancelot and co are rushing to complete their new collection of sake cups just in time for Cherry Blossom Festival season. This collection is a contemporary version of the traditional Chinese Zodiac of 12 animals. You will note that the hedgehog, crocodile and squirrel all feature prominently in this new set.
Favorite View
Back from Santa Fe, wonderful but much, much too short. A view of the Pedernal, oils, 12 x 12". But must admit this was painted the week before I left. Just back and still editing hundreds of photos .....
Still life with Indian Birds
Small still life of wooden Indian birds and a shell. Fast and loose.
Just in time
Just in time. Working right through the weekend, and with help from the interns, Lancelot is finally able to finish his last big project before departing for Santa Fe and Hedgecon. A special set of Design Studio sake cups just on time for the Cherry Blossom Viewing picnic season. To avoid disappointment order your set today.
Sargent inspired watercolor
Watercolor of a terra cotta urn inspired by a recent visit to the Brooklyn Museum to see the Sargent Watercolor show. An amazing show, best seen midweek.
Rounding The Point
A quick watercolor study, 5 x 7", walking around the Point. The spring green is a little exaggerated but spring is definitely here.
A very small fox joins the club
A very small needle felted fox joins the menagerie.
Preparations begin
With only a week to go before the annual Santa Fe Hedgecon, the entire Design Studio is working frantically hard on their presentation. I asked Lancelot why he felt the team needed an elephant this year and he informed me that elephants make the best baristas. I ca't wait to try ....
Old Indian Blanket
Wrapped in an old Indian blanket Lancelot muses on the late season snow in Santa Fe.
Butterfly collage
Suddenly spring. A butterfly and insect collection collage using marbled paper, security envelopes, painted paper and scraps of the metro north timetable. Framed, 20 x 16"
