Evening Primrose from Alcatraz Island

This year for the first time, the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists is collaborating with the Gardens of Alcatraz to build a florilegium, or collection of botanical paintings, to document the species of the island.  Many of the botanical subjects survived years of neglect to persist from the island's prison past.

As a NCalSBA member, I toured the gardens in March and chose the 'Pink Evening Primrose' (Oenothera speciosa) for my subject.  It was located on the windy side of the island in the 'Prisoner Gardens.'  I completed the color pencil painting below earlier this summer and was recently informed my piece was accepted for the florilegium. A giclée print of the drawing will be on display this fall and will also remain permanently in Alcatraz's collection.

11" x 14" - color pencil on Stonehenge paper

"The initial exhibition of Alcatraz Florilegium images will be in the Alcatraz Prison Band Rehearsal Room, September 1 – December 31, 2013 and will be open to all island visitors."

Watercolor Portraiture

This painting was completed this week suing a photograph from the 1950's as reference.  The subjects are a friends grandparents in-law and the piece was commissioned in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary!

When working in watercolor, I typically paint more flowers than people but found I had a lot of fun building dimension by layering many thin washes ranging in tone from a light yellow-orange sienna to deeper purple magenta.

~8" x10" - watercolor

Orange Tulip

Tulips are a favorite springtime subject of mine and the following drawing of an orange tulip was completed using color pencils on Canson mi-teintes paper.  I loved the color variation in the flower and had a lot of fun with it.  For an earlier version in graphite, check out my post from 2/9/2012.

Still-life Study - Patterned Object

11" x 14" oil in canvas panel

This study was completed in 3-4 hours last night.  I discovered that painting a patterned object was more fun than I thought it would be and am on the hunt for a patterned subject for a new still-life painting!

Kitty Biscuit Flask

11 x 14" - oil paint on canvas

I have been spending a lot of time the past couple of months working on still-life painting and this is my most recent effort, completed earlier this week.  The yellow object is a candle from Kittybabylove, and I really enjoyed the shadow it threw against the drapery!

Things Found....By Accident

Today's post is my submission for 'Things Found....By Accident,' which is one of The Sketchbook Project's free projects.  The description of the project is quoted below, followed by my submission.

"The Things Found Series is a new photography series that encourages participants to capture an image of a common space. This week, we’re challenging artists to find something amazing by accident. On your way to work, while sitting at a coffee shop, or maybe on an adventure. Photograph something that strikes you that you may never have noticed."

Church St. - San Francisco

Shoebill Don't Bother Me

I don't remember exactly how I found out about the Shoebill, but I thought it was so interesting looking that I had to make a drawing of one.  The following small piece was completed using a combination of watercolor and color pencil.

2.5" x 3.5" CP Watercolor Artist Trading Card