New Painting Working Large

New Painting

 When in college I was experimenting with various types of watermedia on paper and bought a large roll of WC paper, 51 inches by 10 yards.  So finally I've challenged myself to use this paper.  This piece is about 36 X 42 inches, fluid acrylic, with thin layers and washes.

For several years I have been approaching painting with the idea of following where the paint or universe or accident leads me.  I like the icy greens and the soft contrast of the reds.  Working large and loose is a challenge.   I have had trouble finding a large, rigid, lightweight board for mounting while working. For some reason, I thought Rigid Foamcore came in 40 X 60 inch size.  I am using a lot more paint and larger brushes.  Keeping it wet for a long period is difficult.  While I am working in one area something unexpected & undesirable happens in another area.  I think I have finally solved most of the problems and am happy with the final product. I have 3 more large pieces in progress.  Challenging and fulfilling.

Donna presents a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016

"Red Tree, Cheniere Lake" (oil) Plein Air, 14" x 11"

Donna McGee will present a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016. Donna has traveled throughout the United States plein air painting. She is skilled in both acrylic and oil painting. Students will learn how to complete a small plein air painting on site. 

For more information, contact the River Art Gallery: 318-322-2380

Merry Christmas to all!

Dusky Wings, Gold Leaves (mixed media on paper)

Art can say "Merry Christmas" without the traditional symbols and colors!

Ice Rimes the Beaver Pond

Ice Rimes the Beaver Pond, Watermedia, 29X22 inches

Another painting inspired by a Haiku by Ferrell Mercer.

Ice rimes the beaver pond

lone male cardinal flits

spring's scarlet promise.
 

The contrast is interesting with cold gray implying winter, but bright scarlet promising that spring will come.

Renewal

Renewal, Watermedia Fluid Acrylic, 29X22 inches

 

This painting was inspired by a Haiku by Ferrell Mercer.

Pasture falls to ruin

 thistles and butterflies abound

 nothing is wasted

Endless

Endless, Watermedia, 28X22 inches

  In this painting I am trying to evoke a mood of quiet peace and a world without time or end. The lack of a clear horizon and the ripples of the water suggest an endless aspect of time and space. The trees are strong verticals that contrast with the horizontals of the ripples, tree limbs and heron.  The idea of timelessness contrasts with the flight of the bird which suggests an frozen moment in time.

Warm November Wind

 

Warm November Wind, Watermedia, Acrylic w Rice Paper

 21X14 inches (IM) 29 X 22 inches (FR)

This painting was accepted into the Mississippi Watercolor Society Grand National Exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art 380 S. Lamar Street, Jackson, MS.  Please join me for the reception on October 12 from 1 - 3:00 PM.



Art Rocks, Louisiana Art and Travel Auction

 

 

Some People are Like Dragonflies

Water media - Fluid Acrylic, 10 X 14 (IM), 18 X 22 Inches (FR)

Dragonflies are amazing creatures. They are expert fliers that maneuver like hummingbirds, have been studied by the airforce, and are fierce predators that have been around for thousands of years. This painting was donated for the Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Art Rocks, Louisiana Art and Travel Auction which airs live on LBP on October 23, 2014.

Online bidding begins September 19, 2014.

Recurring Cycle - Dragonfly

Section from a new painting.

I like the transparency of the wing veiling the face of the dragonfly and the almost fragile appearance of the legs. I tried to repeat the gracefulness of the wings and the fragile quality of the legs in the grasses. The background alludes to air, water, and time-the recurring cycle that is nature.



Dark Horses

 

Dark Horses (section)

This is an image that I have struggled with.  My current working process involves intuitive image making, letting myself be led by the color and ideas until the image resolves itself. The horses are from a photo that I took of horses hanging out near a windmill one hot arid summer out west.  I wanted to capture some of that feeling in the work. Last summer I did two backgrounds with the horse painting in mind and finally got as far as painting the horses, but did not finish the work. This summer I was working on the painting above not knowing what it would become.  Then I just happened upon the horses that I had painted on rice paper last summer. They became part of this image. I will probably work some more with the idea because it still does not feel fully realized.

Duskywings

Duskywings and Gold leaves, Fluid Acrylic on WC and ricepaper, 14x10 inches

Duskywings and Cloudwings are somewhat unremarkable butterflies except for their evocative name and the beautiful cloud shapes on their wings. I love the earthy browns and the idea of wings with cloudspots. I paint the idea of nature and may not always do it justice, but the love is there.

Obelisk

Obelisk, Fluid Acrylic, 14x10 Inches
I like dragonflies, birds, and butterflies. They are creatures of  the earth, the air and also water.  I have several varieties of dragonflies around my backyard pond. This pose I have learned is called obelisking and  is something dragonflies do to help stay cool by presenting less of their mass to the sun.

The Gift

I Dreamed I Became the Light
First Wash

I Dreamed I Became the Light
Step 2

I Dreamed I Became the Light
Finished Painting



Work in progress 2

Fluid Acrylic on WC and Rice Paper, 21 X 14 inches 

I finished the painting with the addition of dead trees in foreground and a marsh hawk. The painting seemed to suggest a place of quiet and waiting.  I am drawn to contrasts in nature: light and dark, warm and cool. With the contrast between the live trees and dead trees I attempted to imply that nature is constantly in flux.