Watercolour Explorations

Paint what's around you?

2011-06-15T20:30:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone! Here we are, mid June, and I really haven't painted very much this year. A couple of tiny art cards, a couple of abstract blooms, and this. They say: "Paint what you love. Paint what you know. Paint what's around you."

So I did. At my painting table, I looked to see what was around me. My small travel palette. Brushes. The curtain. A spray bottle. So I sketched and painted what was around me.

Hope you like it.

Doris' Ark

2011-01-03T18:27:00.001-04:00

Last week the Maritimes suffered a spectacular storm surge with very high tides, a strong Nor'Easter, plenty of rain. The swelled ocean caused much coastal erosion and damage in numerous places. Our home, though near the ocean, sits quite high on a cape and was spared any water damage, just a few roof shingles gone - nothing much to worry about. But the access road did get breached with the tides flowing over, rendering it impossible to pass for several hours. We couldn't make it home after work, so we ended up sleeping in a nearby hotel that night. And so, I thought to "build an ark", my tool being paper and watercolour! :) So here's my version of an abstract "ark" to weather the storm.

Doris' Ark - 12" x 19"

Merry Christmas, everyone! Joyeux Noël à toutes et toutes!

2010-12-20T21:32:00.000-04:00

After much fun sledding, our ladybug friends head back to the house,

hoping for some spiced cider to warm their bellies.

Après s'être bien amusées en traineau, nos deux amies retournent au foyer,

rêvant d'un cidre épicé pour réchauffer leurs petites bedaines.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Joyeux Noël à toutes et toutes

Athena

2010-11-20T12:03:00.000-04:00

I was asked to paint a fairy for Athena, the granddaughter of a friend/coworker. Here is my Athena, surrounded by pinks and greens, lucky shamrocks for plentiful joys in life and heart shapes around, assuring love.

A Ladybug Christmas

2010-10-10T12:08:00.000-03:00

We're at it again. Yep.

A second ladybugs book.

This time, it's Christmas!

Here is a preview of what's to come!

Moonrise at the Cape

2010-10-03T10:12:00.000-03:00

My husband. Our deck chair, made by my beloved father. My hand holding wine. The nearby cape.

What could be better!

Wine ... beautiful living wine

2010-10-03T10:09:00.001-03:00

I must post a painting I did some time ago, inspired by an image in a magazine, I'm afraid. But still. The inspiration is in appreciation for wine, the beautiful juice that keeps on living long after the grapes are harvested, in the form of fermented juice, transformed to beautiful wines.

I remember to post this because I will be exhibiting some paintings at the beautiful Winegarden Estates on October 16 and 17 this year.

Hope you will visit,enjoy a wine tasting, and say hello!

Book Illustration - a new initiative

2010-07-15T10:48:00.004-03:00

Today I write about a completely new experience - book illustration!

I was asked by a friend to illustrate his first children's book, a book about two little ladybugs who go visit their cherished grandmother. It is being launched this week - a small quantity printed (100 only) as we've never done this! But it is really looking like it will be a success for a first book for him.

The interesting thing for me about this exercise was how much I was pushed out of my comfort zone. Seemingly simple, the truth is that this is the most challenging thing I've ever done in painting - not technically but in composing. You see, as a want-to-be-artist, we tend to "choose" pictures we like, and we attempt to paint them, interpret them in "our style". But these illustrations had to come from the mind's eye entirely, based on the stories in the book, a book that I didn't write or imagine - it was written by someone else. So the challenge was to "produce" an image in my mind as I read from the pages. And I loved it the entire process. It's like when we read a book, we "produce" it in our mind's eye - we choose how the characters look, we "create" the images from the pages in our minds. And it is yet a further step to bring this to fruition - to actually produce these images onto paper, frame after frame, colour choice after colour choice - remembering the mixes to retain a semblance of consistency, of cohesiveness, between the pages.

I've had so much fun bringing these little characters to life. They almost become real in your mind. You imagine their laughter and adventuresome spirits. And you realize that, deep down, they are you, they are yours. Your own perception and creation.

Here is the cover page, and the last page inset. I hope you enjoy them!

Soaring with the Eagles

2010-04-02T08:53:00.002-03:00

When I painted this some years back, my thought was mostly about setting free, about peeling away the layers of years of conditioning and becoming my original self, my authentic self. It was about taking a leap and daring no matter what others might think. One of my favourite quotes is by Theodore Roosevelt's: "Dare Greatly". Another is Helen Keller's "Life is a daring adventure or nothing". The composition is not my own. It's from an image that had appeared in the local newspaper some years prior to my deciding to paint it - making up the colours I wished as it was black and white newsprint. I consider it my first "successful" painting after years of dabbling in watercolours but never "finishing" any painting.

Now I look at this painting, and it takes on a whole new meaning. It becomes a message about rising above the fray of fear and despair for all that is happening in the world. The fear of global warming, the fear of wars, the fear of fear itself driving the agendas of so many groups and individuals. It retains the same message of "daring greatly" to have hopes that little things you can do as an individual to improve the lives of those around you are still possible, still worthy of consideration. Even, necessary to maintain quality of life no matter how bad things get. To hold your head high and hold to your conviction that you can make a difference, however small, to effect the world in which you live. A bit of conservation of water - reusing. A kind smile to passerbys. A generous and selfless action. Dare ... great things can come from small actions.

Soar with the eagles with hopes for a bright future. Make it happen ... Dare, and dare greatly.

Heart of My Heart

2010-02-13T15:08:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

This is my Valentines painting which I'll call Heart of My Heart. My valentine for my wonderful husband Bob who is, indeed, the "heart of my heart". An attempt at abstract/contemporary, playing with colours and layers. Hope you enjoy it!

Heart of My Heart
Arches 11" x 13"

Cosmos 3

2010-01-19T21:24:00.001-04:00

I've become cosmos happy. What fun play. Not dwelling on details as I usually do.

Just lots of dabs and splashes. Layers here, lifting there.

This is my third rendition of the pretty little free spirits.

I'm having so much fun I don't think I'll stop painting them just yet!

I must try a full sheet, even looser.

Waiting for spring ... :)

Cosmos 3 - 10" x 12"

Cosmos 2

2010-01-13T20:28:00.000-04:00

I decided to try a larger painting

of the beautiful cosmos. This one is 10" x 14"

I dabbled in deeper colours of reds and greens, a bit looser technique than the first.

Seems too busy, too close-up; I think I've lost their airiness.

Maybe they're something other than cosmos now?

Maybe I'll try another.

Cosmos 2 - 10" x 14"

Cosmos

2010-01-10T08:59:00.001-04:00

Oh my beautiful, free flowing cosmos,

ethereal, ephemeral almost.

Dancing in the wind,

delicate but prolific free spirits.

My first painting of 2010.

It took me a long time to decide to try and paint a sprinkle of cosmos.

I love them.

Cosmos 5" x 8"

Field of Dreams

2009-12-08T19:34:00.000-04:00

Field of dreams ... my interpretation of what would be a dream of a field, mid-summer, all in bloom, maybe we're in Holland, maybe not. But definitely farmed. Distant villages, blue skies ...

Grace

2009-12-08T19:21:00.002-04:00

A couple of years ago I painted "Grace". As much for the fact that her name is Grace, and as well her posture bespoke of grace to me. I hope you enjoy her:

Grace
14" x 22" Watercolour

Figs, go figure ...

2009-11-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

This week I painted figs - for a painting exchange. A quick sketch from a reference photograph, then set about to painting with a newly acquired technique, one in which the blending is done entirely on the page, wet on wet, a little trickier than applying a wash over a layer already dry. See what you think:

8" x 10" on Arches

Cheers!

Callie Cat

2009-09-09T20:07:00.003-03:00

It took me a long time to dare to attempt a painting of Callie. Callie ... a tiger-striped, black-tan kitty with huge eyes. She always seems panicked, needing to jump and bounce all over the garden, on the bed, purring, kneading my shoulder, waking me numerous times through the night. But in repose, she has a zen-like quality, a contrast to her waking nature. Here she napped in a bright sunlight from a calm early spring afternoon, on her favourite quilt on a winter afternoon. Blues contrasting with her red hairs ... hope you like her. Callie Cat 22" x 28"

2009-07-05T18:16:00.002-03:00

Hi, This is my second puppy portrait. I foiled the background, hated it, lifted some of it and glazed over. Sage is a rescue from Trinidad, brought to Canada by a vet and given to her brother who is a good friend. Sage is kind of an odd pup ... she always has her neck extended out, leaning back from you, as if she's never quite sure how she feels. How you feel. Testing the grounds. Gentle, loving. I wanted an odd painting for an odd soul. ... Sage was not quite as easy to paint as Teddy was, but I'm happy with the outcome. She's been delivered to her humans now. I wonder if she'll recognize herself in the painting?! :) Namaste ...

Beach Treasures

2009-04-08T20:41:00.000-03:00

This was a quick sketch from a ref photo I took on my deck last summer. Hmmm ... I sure do hope I can find another luscious purple petunia such as this one was. In this case, the petunias are intended to "frame" the real center of interest, the shells - beach treasures brought back from lazy ambles on the beach. This was painted using only four colours: Ultramarine Blue, Aureolin Yellow, Quinachridone Violet and Scarlet Lake - mixed in various strengths to create a variety of new colours. I really enjoyed painting this one: Beach Treasures 13" x 19" on Fabriano Bright White

Double Poppy

2009-03-24T19:39:00.000-03:00

I had so much fun painting this double poppy. Well, not so much fun with the petals, but certainly with the background. The image is from Wetcanvas image bank which are uploaded by members with permission to use as inspiration for painting. I painted it 14" x 14". I am considering redoing something similar from my own blooms next summer, in very large format. I dream of snow melting - yes, we had yet another snow storm today in New Brunswick! March 24, go figure ... :) I donated this painting for a fundraiser auction - a friend's daughter in karate, dreaming of going to Japan for a world competition. They had a lovely trip to Japan and she came in fourth overall in her age category. Yay Melissa!

Teddy

2009-02-01T09:28:00.000-04:00

Recently I was asked by a lifelong friend, Claudette, to paint her brother and mother's puppy, Teddy. This would be my first puppy portrait.

I'm very happy with how the little guy turned out! He came to life for me ... one little eye begun, halfway done, a bit on the nose, more on the eye, the right ear, start the left eye, more layers on the nose, more details on the right eye, more details on the nose, more left eye, left ear, more depth in first ear, etc., ... the whole time he is peeking up at me! I'm going to miss the little guy!

Hope you enjoy him as much as I did. I'll deliver him to his family this week hopefully!

Namaste,

Dorice

2008-12-15T16:05:00.001-04:00

Aubergine and Squash Blooms

From my garden this fall, 2008. Quite bold and rustic looking.

It was the first time I planted eggplant. The plant was gorgeous, with lush blue-green leaves. I thought there were no aubergines at all under those beautiful and plentiful leaves and I attributed this lack of success on account of a growing season. But when I pulled the plants to clean up the garden in the fall, I was rewarded with several small, deep purple eggplants! There were also some late blooming squash buds. I stuffed the squash blooms with soft cheese and cooked them in a lovely olive oil and some freshly crushed garlic cloves, and roasted the eggplant. All this got incorporated into a pasta dish ... Drizzled fresh olive oil on top before eating, topped with some fresh herbs from the garden ... Life is good ... Dorice

Aubergine and Squash Blooms 13" x 19" on Arches 300 lb

Falling leaves, new dawns

2008-11-05T19:35:00.000-04:00

Leaves, abandoning their green hues over to reds, oranges and yellows, are now abandoning their grip on the branches that fed them throughout the summer. Gardens are looking bare, gone are bright flowers and the buzzing insects. Days are shorter, cooler. Yet today is a most historic day, a new dawn of sorts for many, a new sort of spring, following the election of the first African-American to the presidency of the United States of America. While no one knows the direction that the country will take, the world itself for that matter, the same would hold true no matter who was elected president. Yet much of the world rejoices because of the hope brought by the new president-elect, by his words of hope, by continually taking the high road, setting a role model for many who forgot the importance of eloquence and belief in others. Many even question if they made the right choice. Of course it's the right choice, if democracy is at heart of our political process. The people have chosen. The decision is right for this moment in time, no matter what comes next. For myself, I realized that I'd been mourning ever since I was a little girl and watched Roots on television alongside my father. It marked me, and I grieved, forever I grieved the injustices of this world. The more I learned about our history, the more I grieved. Today, a new day, some of that grieving has healed, is healing. This is symbolic, I hope for very, very many. I dare hope despite repeated history, for a new dawn, for peace in the world. This week I painted Falling leaves ... but maybe I'll call the painting "New dawn". For the hope that next spring will bring new, beautiful leaves. A shift is happening in the world ... both a visible shift of the seasons, and one not so apparent but even more important ...

2008-11-01T19:48:00.000-03:00

I looked up Trailing Arbutus online and found this very lovely, heartfelt poem of someone who paints with words better than I paint with colours. This is my second tiny painting of these lovely may flowers. I hope you'll read the poem. I've just discovered a new poet I knew nothing about, who admired these as much as I ...

The Trailing Arbutus (a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier) I wandered lonely where the pine-trees made Against the bitter East their barricade, And, guided by its sweet Perfume, I found, within a narrow dell, The trailing spring flower tinted like a shell. Amid dry leaves and mosses at my feet. From under dead boughs, for whose loss the pines Moaned ceaseless overhead, the blossoming vines Lifted their glad surprise, While yet the bluebird smoothed in leafless trees His feathers ruffled by the chill sea-breeze, And snow-drifts lingered under April skies. As, pausing, o'er the lonely flower I bent, I thought of lives thus lowly, clogged and pent, Which yet find room, Through care and cumber, coldness and decay, To lend a sweetness to the ungenial day And make the sad earth happier for their bloom. I look forward to spring and maybe going to the woods to bring home a small bouquet of may flowers ...

Glass bowl and fruit

2008-10-30T17:58:00.001-03:00

I had the good fortune of attending a workshop last weekend - with a gifted and generous teacher. We were all painting from the same photograph. I had so much fun! And I don't think I've ever produced a better painting technically, thanks to her guidance and explanation of the steps. I just hope I can apply all that I've learned into my next still life ...

Trailing arbutus ... or May flowers

2008-10-22T18:58:00.000-03:00

When I was a young and curious girl, I had a gentle uncle who loved nature and caring for the earth. He taught me about bee nests and the tides, and he showed me a tiny marvel of nature which most people never, ever get to see. One sunny Sunday morning in early May when there still a bit of snow on the ground in the edges of the woods, we set out for a walk of discovery. Well, he knew where he was going ... :)

It seemed a long walk for a little girl - through a long field, across the highway, and to the woods. We arrived to the edge of the forest and entered, he clearing branches out of the way, ensuring a safe path for me. He told me he was going to show me "how to find may flowers".

Not far into the woods, after some careful exploring, suddenly he knelt down and told me to do the same. Here he showed me deep green, woodsy leaves, their edges drying and brown. I touched the waxy leaves ... Then he pulled on a bunch and pulled up from beneath the tiniest, most exquisitely scented blooms - no larger than a centimeter at the most - bunched up in a sprig, all white and pink.

They trail protected below, hiding beneath their leaves. They like damp, low lying wooded areas. One can make a nice bouquet which will sweetly scent your kitchen for days. I do worry that the deforestation is putting them at risk of extinction. Last year, I finally took my husband Bob into the same woods where I showed him my little secret. And I hope to, some day, share the same special experience with a new generation of young curious girls. I remember the glitter in his eyes when he saw my own sheer delight.

That day I learned that sometimes the most precious of things can be invisible to the naked eye. Sometimes you have to look deeper, look beyond the obvious to be rewarded with the finest things in life. Sometimes it is the little things that make life special.

This is a tiny painting in hommage to my uncle Gérard and to a tiny and very graceful flower.

Sunflower 3 - Come closer

2008-10-21T18:38:00.001-03:00

Come here! Come closer and see me in all my glory. I don't mind the intimacy at all ...

Slow down, see, be in the moment.

Sunflower 2 - Behind the Scenes

2008-10-21T18:34:00.001-03:00

Again from my garden, 2007. These beauties show that all living things have something to say and that beauty is not always where you expect it. Look behind the flower – take another look - from a different angle. Take another look at the person beside you, past the physical. Past what you think you know about that person. They have a whole past, a story to tell, if only there were time to listen.

Sunflower 1 - Things are looking Up

2008-10-21T18:26:00.000-03:00

This is from my garden at Cap Bimet, a beautiful, giant sunflower beaming with individuality. She seems to be looking forward, hopeful, into a beautiful sun. I want to encourage people to look at things from different angles.

When I paint, the world stops spinning for me. I am at once alone and connected with all things, and I want to protect those things. I hope those that observe my paintings will feel peace, will stop the spinning if for a single moment – and will gain insight into the fragility of our environment and yearn to protect it.