I thought of adding the bug and using this photo of the leaves to develop this painting. There is not much room here unless I cut the sunflower out and collage it. Maybe this is the wrong bug or I could maybe use a different view of the bug.

I must identify this critter. It is much cooler and less humid this morning. It was great working in the garden this morning. I hate it when it is a race between my wilting or the flowers wilting before I get the watering done.

I should finish this painting. Koi paintings are always popular. The highlights on top of the water are not reading. The white of the upper koi is pulling forward. I probably need to switch values.

I am often frustrated with a painting at this stage. I not sure where it was going, but it is going somewhere

I have been having problems with my digital camera taking hazy pictures. I was suspecting a camera problem.

It was not what I was thinking. The problem was going from a cool house into the steamy outside. The lens was fogging up. Duh....

Changed my mind I am still experimenting.

Still messing around. The preview does not really look like the publish. With the next post I am going to try a small first image and a medium second image.

Today I needed a before and after image. I worked on the butterfly and the the orchids closet to it. I am pumping up values around the butterfly. I am not sure of the color of the upper wings.

A counter lines or lines may be needed to compliment the the strong direction of the leaves. Maybe I can do this with grass to the left of the orchids. The sky may help here too.

I don't think I like the color introduced to the right yellow orchid.

I did a small show last Friday, with six other artist, last Friday evening. We were hosted by the photo department of a pharmacy in Nixa. They did a beautiful job.

The sad thing was a scant attendance. I sold a few things and had much positive attention and admiration. It is always good to get feedback from the public on what they really think about different paintings.

The public often sees painting with different eye. than mine.

Now the question is how to get them to come?

Back to Routine

I was very busy last week, with a visit to both of my Children in Kansas City. I returned home to do an art show and then finally this weekend was Father's Day.

I am looking forward to having time to fuss over my garden, my house and of course my paintings.

I really should alternate sessions of fussing and then just slapping color down.

I really want my world to be full of color. Black and white is too boring. I am attracted to vibrant exciting color. Now that is really living.

I have not painted in the last two days. I am in Kansas City visiting my children. My daughter works the night shift and will be sleeping until 11:00 AM. I am an early riser and will paint in the morning.

In the meantime I purchased two books:
1. A Celebration of Light
2. Botanical Illustration Course with the Eden Project

My daughter also left me a library book called "Buying a Piece of Paris." Ah, the Paris dream. I wish I knew all the French words in the book, but author has the same delima. I am sure at this time she knows more French than me.

I started a painting using small orchids. One was a brilliant magenta. The other is a striking yellow with reddish purple spots.

The drawing on this one was not so hot. Composition lacks. There is a lot of fixing to do. Oh well sometimes great paintings rises from the one that needs to be saved. I may try another one if the orchids hold up.

I was having a time getting the magenta color. Every combination of blue and rose was dull. I know if I would use opera I could achieve the color I want. I refuse to do that because opera is fugitive.

I was messing around before a painting session and discovered that Rembrandt Mauve and rose come the closest to the magenta I want. Keeping the paint light and pumping up the vibrancy with background colors helps. I also deiced that the yellow orchids will be the center of focus.

Beginning

Here we go. I vowed to start a blog this week. I have no idea what I am doing. The fun is figuring it out latter.

I have figured out that it is very important to linger. I get so busy. I don't want to stop. Lingering, helps to to get in a mode of gratitude.

Painting is a lingering process. An image of what to paint has to come mind. How will I achieve this image is the first question. What attracts me to the image. Then there is usually a drawing process, although I do not take a long time here. I work out just the bones.

Usually before the painting is finished there is a manic stages. At the beginning, there may be one for just applying color in the right places.

Before you know it I am back at lingering or maybe fussing. My edges have to be adjusted. Color and values have to be pumped up. What am I to do fix issues. Creativity is a process of problem solving.

Then there is the last manic stage. Finish the painting and get it off the board. I don't like to finish paintings much. This something I must correct. A deadline helps here. Now I am off to paint...tra la.