"Awash, 2016" is acrylic on canvas, 24x39.5".  This canvas was custom built for another project and then didn't end up being used.  We had also primed the canvas in a rich raw sienna tone for the other project so I had a lot of warmth to lead my content.  The piece started out as an abstract but then I had the need to paint this particular scene right now so this is where I took it.  Something unusual happened with this one because of the way the paint was going on to the primer.  Typically the water in the acrylic doesn't allow for a lot of soft blending unless you add a medium.  In this case, the paint was going on sort of like oil, very buttery to the point that I was able to do a lot of blending with my finger.  In fact, I'd say a quarter of this painting was done with my fingers instead of a brush.  Happy Wednesday!

"Santa Maria del Fiore, 2016" is 48x60", acrylic on canvas.  This was a specific assignment for an individual for whom this cathedral and the story of its construction has significant metaphorical meaning.  I enjoyed working on it at a personal level as well because I lived and studied in Florence for a semester in college.  The history behind this building is remarkable and well worth a little research.  This particular painting is not perfectly architecturally accurate.  I wanted to focus on shape and light-play more than detail.  There was no projecting or grid-work or sketching.  I used a large flat brush from beginning to end to force myself to stay loose with the brushwork.  The palette is rich but limited to the warm sienna and umber tones that prevail in Tuscany and the slate blues of the late afternoon sky.  This is only the second painting to come out of my studio this year, although I have several in progress.  It feels good to complete something!  Happy Cinco de Mayo!

"Lily Impression, 2016," is 22x15", acrylic on paper.  I started this one along with the previous botanical series and just have needed to put on the finishing touches.  This light and loose approach reminds me of Japanese ink drawings.

"Fall Vista, 2016" is a personal piece I created for my home.  It's 24x60", acrylic on gatorboard, and is the perfect size and content for a high wall I have over my front door and below a large window.  I wanted a colorful and lively nature scene.  I've had this piece of gatorboard for years and hadn't used it due to its odd shape.  The image is not detailed since it will be hanging high and seen from afar.  My two-year-old saw it in process and said, "Mommy, that's a big mess."  Everyone's a critic.  :)

"Oak Silhouette, 2015," is 19.5x35.5, acrylic and gesso on gaterboard.  It started with this underpainting.



Then I carved out the oak tree using the white negative shapes.  The last step was to add an iridescent glaze to the whites to give them a sheen and pop from different angles.  It also gave more contrast between the two surfaces.  This piece may go in a location that has weight restrictions so I painted it on gaterboard, a light foam core substrate.  Painting time was about seven hours, most of which was creating the shape of the tree.  Happy Tuesday!

"Laguna, 2015," is 30x30", liquid acrylic on canvas.  Not much to say except I love any excuse to paint water.  This piece took about 12 hours to complete (4-5 sessions).  I got some good basic compositional content from an image I found online but went off-photo for the last session in order to model the water more and give it more dimension and movement.

"Botanical Series I & II," are more small studies of the new technique, 15x11" each, acrylic wash on paper.  These are again meant to be just impressions of things, not full renderings.  I love the implication.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!