Happy New Year!
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| Here is my studio! |
The studio and my bonus room are filled with paintings and dried specimens including works from The Elizabethan Gardens and the specimens that I picked up this fall.
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| "Holding On" Original Watercolor 22 x 30 inches |
One of my favorites from the fall series is titled “Holding On.” If you love fall, this work is just that. The fruits of this specimen dried the most of any of the others, turning a warm brown. I just loved their position on its branch and it was the only “pair” that I had found on the ground. This is a large painting taking a full sheet of watercolor paper (22 x 30 inches). The fruits are painted with many transparent layers of raw sienna, raw and burnt umber and Indian red while the branches were painted with my favorite mud mixture of cobalt blue, permanent rose and transparent yellow, using my dry brush technique to recreate its unique texture.
It is currently reserved for exhibition. It is one of three paintings that I entered in the 2012 Virginia Watercolor Society’s Member Exhibition. This is the first time that I am entering the statewide competition. Once an artist has been invited to exhibit three times, one becomes a “Signature Member” of VWS. The bonus ~ this year’s exhibition, which is held in a different location each year, is at my favorite art center. Wish me luck there are more than 400 members in this group and roughly 100 paintings are accepted.
The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
Hampton Virginia
The exhibition opens to the public on April 15th from 1 – 5 pm
Exhibition April 15 to May 27, 2012
Juror Dan Smith
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| Saucer Magnolia II Original Watercolor 19 x 15 inches |
I also finished a new painting of the Saucer Magnolia, which will be included in the Hampton Arts League Exhibition that opens later this month. I just loved the bark on this specimen where the one side had this rich deep purple where the new bark was still apparent. I hope you can make this show. There will be over 275 works in a variety of media. The Opening Reception will be packed with artists!
The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center
Hampton, Virginia
EXHIBITION DATES: January 29- February 26, 2012
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, January 28, 3:00-5:30 pm
Juror CAROLYN F. DAVIS
New ! THE BOTANICAL ART STORE
Last month, I worked with Hampton Roads Giclee, a digital print studio, to help me create prints of my larger works, which include the two new works above as well as my first paintings from The Elizabethan Gardens and “My Gardenia’s Gift from its Midnight Pollinator.” I am now able to recreate my work in a variety of sizes and create giclee prints where the pigments are lightfast and protect against UV radiation.
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| "Tic Tac Toe" Print |
AND I opened my first online store – The Botanical Art Store for those who live afar. You will see prints made from my originals as well as those created with my computer, featured in the “Whimsies” tab. My “Tic Tac Toe” print was made with my laptop on my lap while watching TV. After placing the artichokes, I realized that they were aligned on one of the diagonals, just like the game. It just happened and I love the composition!
Workshops with Linda
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| Photo by Jeff Lewis |
My next workshop is at The Elizabethan Gardens in February where we will be painting camellias. The camellia is a signature species of the garden with more than 300 plantings and 175 cultivators. As they will be in full bloom, this workshop is perfect for the beginner or advanced student to learn more about painting petals and glossy leaves.
I have also added two new workshops here in Williamsburg ~ a Pen and Ink Class this March and a Botanical Art Workshop in April! To see the current Workshop Schedule, please click on the tab above.
Linda’s Favorites
Here is a link where you can learn more about Mr. Bartram, known as the colonial botanist, who is responsible for stocking England’s nurseries with American trees.
http://www.terrain.org/articles/18/rowland.htm
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May you have a healthy, prosperous and joyful New Year!
Happy Painting, Linda
American Society of Botanical Artists
Botanical Art Society of the Nations Capitol Region
Virginia Master Naturalists
Virginia Watercolor Society
Linda C. Miller
Artist ~ Naturalist ~ Instructor
