Monday, January 24, 2011

RAVEN RHYTHMS FINISHED + LOTUS REWORKED


I finished the raven painting.  I like the odd objects in this created with the bits of tape, and I might play with making them stand out more...or not.


While the raven painting was drying, I put this older painting on the table and played a bit, darkening and changing some colors here and there with watercolor.  Worked fine, although it was begun with fluid acrylic.  It's on watercolor board.




I need to go back to the River Rocks and finish that - or at least try shaping those rocks more.  I don't know what's stopping me.  Maybe all this cold (-2F Saturday morning) has my brain frozen.


Maybe I'll just do some sketching until I get in the mood to paint something else.  I'm looking for inspiration :)




Today is my friend, Susan M.'s birthday.  Happy Birthday, Susan :)  I hope you are having a good day and had a very good weekend.  Did you eat a slice of a Nanaimo bar for me??

19 comments:

Christiane Kingsley said...

I like the tape effect! It gives the impression that the ravens are racing up steps...and one a feather doing so:-)
The other painting looks good also. When you say that it was on watercolor board, do you mean Ampersand or the new Canson boards with watercolor on top? I am really looking for a good, easy way to mount watercolor paper in order to try varnishing them. I have tried the Ampersand aquaboard, but I am not thrilled about the texture.

Pam Holnback said...

Just discovered your blog. Love how you show your steps, share your thoughts, and introduce us to others.

debwardart said...

The lotus looks great and the ravens are interesting. Hope your brain is unfrozen by now.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Christiane. This was started on Canson watercolor board so it has the watercolor paper on top of it. I've had problems with the paper peeling away from the board when doing lots of juicy work but Deb Ward shared her trick of running a bead of masking fluid along the edge of the board and that seemed to keep it from getting loose. But you still have the problem of the board bowing. This has been sitting around for months and it still has a slight bow to it. I think I much prefer paper.

Thanks, Deb - I had to go to the dentist today (just routine cleaning) but it was sooo cold. I couldn't warm up last night - might have to buy a Snuggie :)

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Pam. It's good to know that what I'm doing here resonates with others. I had a quick pop over to your blog and your tea cup/set paintings are delicious - you must do a a lot of glazing of the oils to get that glow? I'll definitely be back when I have more time to visit.

Christiane Kingsley said...

Thank you, Rhonda, for your comments on the Canson board. Krista Hasson recently mentioned that she had trouble also with the board bowing. I may try glueing paper to an ordinary hardboard ( should probably gesso the hardboard first I suppose).

Caroline Simmill said...

Your delicate flower painting is so lovely Rhonda.

Jane said...

it is like a puzzle of ravens..very artistic. I also sketch whenever I am lost for inspiration...just to keep the hand in training!

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

I love how you can incorporate geometrics with your crows. Love the contrast and the push/pull effect.

RH Carpenter said...

Christiane, have you tried the 300# watercolor paper? It's pretty heavy and yet still paper without any support - I'm sure you could flatten it easily when finished with a piece.

Thanks so much, Jane, Pam and Caroline. Jane, I may have to keep that in the back of my mind: A Puzzle of Ravens :)

Carol King said...

That raven painting is ultra cool! I really love it. Your flower is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda, These are two exciting paintings. I am particularly fascinated by the composition of the ravens; I like the richness of the color in the lotus.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Carol and Peggy :) I enjoy creating interesting compositions but they do just seem to happen (which gets me in trouble at times), but when they work, it's fun.

Unknown said...

Wow! These are fantastic. I love the strong use of color on the lotus.

Cathy Gatland said...

You continue to inspire with your experimentation and hard work Rhonda. Don't know how you even get out of bed at -2deg, but I'm glad you do! Love the ravens.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Tim, Cathy and Celeste.

Cathy, it's not easy to deal with winter here. I try to stay inside and keep warm. I'm not a winter girl :( Give me spring and fall any time.

Tim, this was a bit wimpy looking so I pumped up the color a bit :)

Jane said...

I like the waterlily, Rhonda. I'm wondering what would happen if you cropped (if you can crop) from the top and the right so a lot of the blue is gone and the flower isn't so much in the middle.

hw (hallie) farber said...

Both are really good.

RH Carpenter said...

Jane, you're right about the composition but I don't know how I'd crop this since it's on board (I'd have to cut it, I guess). I don't consider it anything worth keeping (just a trial of the fluid acrylics and then putting the watercolors over that which worked well).

Hallie, thanks. Glad you like them. I know the raven/crow paintings aren't everyone's cup of tea but I like them and enjoy painting them - I think something will come for developing the series a bit more.