January Tulip

By the Window, 2015, original oil on panel, 6"x6."  Available: Contact Weyrich Gallery, Albuquerque, NM

Here's the flower painting I promised to share with you 'way back in November. The painting will be in the exhibit "Windows to the World" at the St. Michael's Gallery here in Albuquerque, at 601 Montano NW. The show opens tomorrow (reception from 6-8pm) and continues until February 10. Please come by the opening reception if you're in the area!

I have been out of town for the past two months—due to a family emergency—and then the holidays. Now that I am back in town, I'm thrilled to be working in my studio again!

Thank you for taking a moment to visit my blog. And belated "Happy New Year" greetings to all my faithful readers! I appreciate your support.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Text and image © 2016 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Single Tulip

Single Tulip, 2011

Original Painting: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3" linen panel
Private Collection

Painting from observation is challenging and rewarding, since a simple subject matter can be radically altered by repositioning, lighting, background, and viewpoint. One need only consider Monet's 30 paintings of Rouen Cathedral illuminated at different times of day in various seasons to become aware of such possibilities.

Last week I posted the first version of this tulip in a small glass ("Tuesday's Tulip"), painted from direct observation. A couple of days later I did a second painting of the same tulip, in a little different position and illuminated in a different light. If the poor flower hadn't finally wilted, I might have done a third version. (Cathedrals don't present this kind of problem!)

Thanks for taking a look. Have a good week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Tuesday's Tulip

Tuesday's Tulip, 2011
Original Painting: oil, alkyd on 5" x 3" linen panel
Private Collection

It seems there are a zillion different painting surfaces for an artist to work on, each with a variant of texture, weight, paint "grab" and other factors to consider. For small paintings and working en plein air, I usually choose gessoed panels or canvas panels. They are thin, strong, and lightweight in smaller sizes.

Recently I ordered some linen panels, which have a finer fabric weave and, hence, a smoother surface. I am really enjoying this new (to me) surface to paint on, especially for the small studies, like the tulip posted today, that I've been painting lately.

Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2011 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Painting the Tulip Red

Red (Tulip), 2010

Original, oil, alkyd on panel 6" x 8"
SOLD

After painting so many greens, it was fun to paint all these reds. Actually, after letting the painting dry, I glazed the reds.

Glazing involves brushing on a transparent mixture made with a tiny bit of pigment—in this case, a cadmium red—diluted with a lot of medium, which I painted over the red of the tulip. The result is a "deepening" of the color that really sings. As you can see, the tulip color appears highly saturated and seems to glow.

BTW: My friend Sondra, who took the original photograph of the "Pea Pods" I painted for the last week's post, dropped me an email: "These are mimosa or aka silk tree seeds. Gardeners and horticulturists could be offended!" I am red faced, since I used to have a mimosa tree and should have recognized the difference! Once again I have confirmed that I am no gardener, although I am very happy to have friends who are! I'll be changing the name of that little painting, right now.

Thanks for taking a look, and enjoy your weekend. I'll see you next week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.