Rural Life

I've done quite a few renditions of this composition in the past. I've inked value studies, I've begun painting starts. I'm not sure why this captivates me so.

The original reference photo was taken at LSU's Rural Life Museum. I first began with blocking in the path of shadows that I hope would take the viewer through the painting.

After adding color I asked artist friends on our Artcolony blog their opinions. Believe me, any artist should take full advantage of having other artists in their lives. I'm lucky I have a group of professional award winners from all over the globe in my group. I've since deepened shadows and am almost finished... not quite yet, but will post the final when it is complete.

Peony Poppy

I haven't posted work here in a. while. Here's one I'm working on finishing up.

I started out with the poppy itself then after looking at the composition decided to add a third stalk to balance out the background and break it up.

I began to add the background wet in wet dropping in patches of color then returned to the poppy itself and finished off the petals in varying layers and intensity. I've been painting nearly 10 hours a day getting ready for two shows in July.