Irises - Finished

Here is the finished painting. I am partial to irises...I hope I did these justice. I also added some smaller flowers for fun. Finally, here is the peaceful scene, something to slip into when tensions run high or the day seems bleak. Hope you enjoy it.

Irises - work in progress

This painting has an upside down feel at the beginning, but it should be a lot of fun to do. Perhaps it is my nod to Monet who was a master at it...where reflections turn the world upside down.

Garden Turtle - finished

Here is the turtle painting completed. The turtle looks pretty happy about having his portrait done...hope you enjoy the painting.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

Today the turtle cast off his ghostly appearance and looks like he is ready for a nap. There is vegetation yet to paint and lots of highlighting.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

The rocks and the lily pads are going in while the turtle remains a ghostly figure. This reveals my habit of working from background to foreground.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

This is a painting of a turtle just out of the water, sunning himself. In the background water lilies float peacefully. I am currently blocking in shapes and color.

Stone Bridge - finished

Hope you enjoy the finished painting. My photo is not the best, but it gives you a good idea as to the composition.

Stone Bridge - work in progress

The vegetation in the background is going in. I am trying to give a sense of warmth and light, although in the real garden the massive planting of vegetation often blocks the light. I guess I am using my artist's license.

Stone Bridge - work in progress

At the Japanese Garden in Seattle there is a stone bridge that visitors travel over to and from the main areas of interest. The bridge is amazing in its own way recalling structures from long ago when stone was often used to surface roads and bridges. There is a sense of permanence about it. Here in the painting I am trying to make that point...how hard it looks compared to the beautiful greenery that surrounds it.

Azalea - work in progress

The blossoms are going in...I need to clean up the edges and the background is still lacking. Well, it is late and I can't see anything clearly when I am tired...I will dream about these azaleas tonight.

Azalea - work in progress

Here is a flower composition, some azalea blooms from the Japanese Garden in Seattle, WA.

I am trying to get a handle on the flowers...they are an interesting shape or combination of shapes. I am using a new set of Golden Open Acrylics. This is as much as an experimentation as it is a painting.

White Heron - Work In Progress

The heron is coming alive...he is checking out a small garden on the beach.

White Heron - Work In Progress

I had a lot of fun doing the sand. Now I am putting in the vegetation. What do you think...flowers or just reeds?

White Heron - Work In Progress

I met this beautiful bird at Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida. He was not an inmate, but a visitor perhaps checking on friends who were recovering from injuries. Or perhaps not. The sanctuary guide said he was looking for a free meal. There will be no snacks in this painting...