Last Blooms of Summer 1

Original Painting: Red Lily, 2015, gouache on panel, 6"x6"

Here in the Land of Enchantment, one can find evidence of three seasons happening simultaneously: There are still plenty of green leaves on the trees and a few lingering blossoms in the flower beds from summer. Meanwhile, the cottonwoods are taking on a range of autumn hues—from sunny yellow to deep gold. And then this morning, there was light powder on the Sandia Mountains, as winter nudges its way into our psyches here in New Mexico.

I have a few paintings of summer flowers that I finished back in September and hadn't yet posted. So here's a bright red lily for today's post. 

Painted using acrylic gouache which dries very quickly—especially here in the Southwest—the painting has a looser, painterly feel to it. I didn't have time to fuss with the blending like I usually do. I rather like the more spontaneous, lively look.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog. Enjoy your weekend.
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Image and text ©2015 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

White Blossoms

SOLD White Blossoms, 2015. Gouache on ricepaper, mounted on panel. 6"x6"

Last year I was pleased to become a "Rainmaker" in the Small Works Auction, an annual fundraiser in support of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri. An artist receives this designation when his/her artwork receives a bid of $300 or more during the auction.

The painting posted on my blog today is a small version (6x6 inches) of "White Blossoms", a 12x12 inch painting submitted to this year's Small Works Auction at Spiva. Both versions are painted in gouache on rice paper, mounted on panel. In both versions, the rice papers have bits of leaves embedded in the paper fibers which are part of the composition and surface texture.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my art blog. I've been on the road for over a month, visiting my mother who just celebrated her 92nd birthday. (And she looks great for her age!)
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Image and text ©2015 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Why Paint Stripes?

Sugar Pot Stripes, 2015. Gouache on panel, 6"x6"

I have a 2015 daily calendar, featuring an art object from the Metropolitan Museum of Art for each day of the year. The June 19th image was a photo of a sugar pot from North Carolina created back in the 1820's. I loved the colors of the stripes and decided to paint a square using those same hues. 

There are several famous abstract artists known for painting compositions employing stripes or striped patterns: Agnes Martin, Bridget Riley, Barnett Newman, come to mind. 

For the viewer, such efforts may seem mindless or too simple to be a "real" painting, i.e., "So, what's the big deal with that?" 

As an artist I enjoyed the simple pleasure of laying down gouache paint in bands of color on a clean white surface, challenging myself to do so freehand (no taped edges), and getting a consistently smooth surface of coverage. Believe it or not, it took 2 days to get this little square "just right". 

Thank you for taking a moment to visit my blog. Enjoy your weekend. 

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Image and text ©2015 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.