This is a painting I did in the fall of 2014. Here in West Michigan there are hundreds of blueberry farms. The berries are fantastic in the mid-summer at harvest time, but the bushes in the fall and early winter are breathtakingly beautiful! Especially if we happen to have an early snow! They pop.

The colors of the fall foliage of the trees aren't as vibrant as in previous years, but there is never a disappointment  of color with the blueberry bushes. Imagine it if you can...acres of bushes lite up as if on fire.
Colorfully,
Sandy

 Detail of Nippon Vase and Lily-of-the-Valley

After doing the rock and water paintings, I needed to go a different direction for a change. My still life paintings are always enjoyable to do, so I've started a painting of Lily-of-the-Valley flowers. I'm using a photo I took this past May in my garden.

I started the painting last Friday and didn't have a chance to get back to it until today. When I stepped into the studio and took a close look at it, I was disappointed. The greens in the top (unseen here)  were heavy and dull...lifeless. I  took the painting to the kitchen sink and washed off all that was there. When you do this, there is a ghost image left behind.  I was going to blow the paper dry and save it to use the reverse side another time. But then I thought that I might as well experiment with that Nippon Vase. there are many different colors in the little jewel, and now is the time to play with it, just to see how I would handle it in a painting. I am pleased with how it turned out. I've decided to complete the painting after all....this time going easier on the greens of the leaves.
Colorfully,
Sandy

ROCKS AND RIPPLES

watercolor 13" x 21"

completed October 12, 2016

Getting closer. So many little details to capture and change.

Click on the image and you will be able to see some of the details.

I happy to announce that Blueberries and Butterfly won a People's Choice Award at this year's Grand Haven Art Walk. Thanks to everyone who voted for me!

 

October 4

After spending time painting more than a hundred rocks and boulders, I needed a break and started working on the water. If you click on the image it will enlarger and you may be able to see the hundreds of tiny strokes used to create the effect of constantly moving water. The challenge is to create  the sense that there are boulders laying just just below the surface. Getting closer to the finish!
Colorfully,
Sandy