This blog started with small daily paintings then changed to a more personal sharing of projects, events and photos. Enjoy!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Avocado Leaves II


I started this painting yesterday, but ran out of time--things to do, places to be. I thought I ruined this one--tried covering the whole thing over with a wash of light orange then used salt--I liked the all over orange tone, but it wiped out the contrast. This made me think of a quote my sister Martha shared on her blog site. Something about having to spoil a painting before it's done? I found it...turns out she was posting about Eugene Delacroix and how we (my sister and I) are related to him somehow--(I figure we are all related to each other in this tiny big world of ours) I was close--he wrote, "One always has to spoil a picture a little in order to finish it." I also agree with this. I feel this happens every time I paint.

I'm making a doll for my granddaughter. I had made one like this as a birthday present for a friend of her's and not too surprisingly, she wanted one too. I'm slowly piecing it together. I'll post its progress. Funny thing is...same day I took this picture, Martha took a similar picture of her sewing project set up on her table! We've had some strangely coincidental happenings being very close like twins, but we're not twins...ok, sewing on the same day isn't all that coincidental, not like sending each other the same gift at the same time, we've done that.

I've added two talented artists to my blog links. Please check out Barbara Fox who is a new member of the daily painters. What beautiful watercolors! Also, Please check out Gwen Bell's beautiful daily oil paintings! Have a good weekend!
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed


For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

5 comments:

Sheila Vaughan said...

Susan, this is a brave and interesting painting. I can "feel" those leaves but I would never say it was a "realistic" rendering. I don't know about spoiling every painting in order for it to all come together at the end but I have often deliberately sloshed paint on if I feel it is getting too tight too early.

Susan Beauchemin said...

Hi Sheila,
I love the subtle colors and tones in your paintings that create an atmosphere. I was inspired by your paintings in doing this one. about being tight--I think I am throughout the whole process, except for drawing the initial composition, and then applying the various washes. I wonder about tightness, since looseness seems to be what most artists strive for. I realize we are working in two different mediums, but watercolors can be very loose--which, that I'm not..hmmm...

martha miller said...

Looks good to me, Sue!
Can't wait to see the doll all finished! Looks really neat so far!

Gwen Bell said...

Love the color and pattern in this one. Great job!

Susan Beauchemin said...

Thanks Martha and Gwen!