"Sunflower Splash" - continued!

"Sunflower Splash" - dark blue mat 11"x14" - mixed media on Fluid 140# hot press wc paper (c)Pat Dolan

I've added some contrasting color and depth to this painting by adding Winsor Newton Indigo Blue watercolor and a touch of white to different parts of the sunflowers. I like the additional details and the strong contrasts this has provided.

However, I'm quite surprised at how different the same painting can appear depending upon the color of mat surrounding it. Each mat complements the painting well, but the choice of frame will make a huge difference, as well. A simple gold metal frame would work with them all, but the lighter mats might be further enhanced by dark wood frames, or even a wide white frame!

Which matting do you prefer and why? How might you want it framed? Please comment below!

"Sunflower Splash" - cream mat 11"x14" - mixed mediaa on Fluid 140# hot press wc paper (c)Pat Dolan

"Sunflower Splash" - white mat 11"x14" - mixed mediaa on Fluid 140# hot press wc paper (c)Pat Dolan

Meanwhile, here are a few more Bluebird photos - one taken during that wind storm and the others taken today when it's much calmer outside!

Please comment as to your choice of matting and/or framing for the Sunflowers above!
Enjoy!

Watercolor Experiments & Bluebirds

"Sunflower Splash" - 9"x12" wc & wc pencils on a hot press Fluid watercolor paper block.

Watercolor experimentation is always both exciting and intimidating - because one has really very little control over how the watercolor paints will react in differing circumstances, papers, and techniques. Here are a few of my recent experiments - only one brought to some level of completion. That one is above and the beginning experiment is direction below. The others waiting for inspiration to "hit" and my skills to make them come alive with images!

Experiment #1: splashing the paint on a smooth watercolor surface. For this one, I used Derwent WC pencils and a regular #2 pencil to delineate the design on Fluid Watercolor Paper Hot Press finish in 9"x12" pad size.

Experiment #2: watercolor on 6" square gesso board - a smooth, slick, hard surface. The one on the left has two opposite colors dropped onto the surface, then Sea Salt sprinkled on top to create a starry effect where the salt lands. This one may become a Queen Anne's Lace painting - we'll see! The one on the right is more watercolors dropped on 6" square gessoboard. This time, I tried dropping rice on the surface as it is "supposed" to soak up the water/color and leave little lightened areas where the rice landed. Alas, that experiment was somewhat less successful, although it did dry with some interesting rice shapes. Who knows what will become of that one!

Experiment #3: using 4"x6" DaVinci pro panels with different textural surfaces, I applied a single color to each panel. The green panel is very smooth. I did sprinkle Sea Salt on this one, but it's barely apparent. The panel on the right has a very rough, almost sandy, texture and it took the paint beautifully! But it was all-over blah, so I did some blotting with a scrunched up paper towel to create some texture. This one is also awaiting a decision as to how to proceed.

And it's been cold, icy, and snowy in central PA, as well as many other places across the country. The Bluebirds are coming quite regularly now that the ground is totally frozen and bugs are in very short supply. I have a worm feeder hanging on our porch and they come swooping in to have meal worms as a winter diet. Normally, they like living bugs/worms and berries, but they'll settle for dried meal worms, when all else fails! Here are some photos taken in the past week of some of our visitors.

Three Bluebirds awaiting their turns at the worm feeder on our porch. Two males, one female.

Out and About in Early February

A recent sunset - one of several that we've had this month.

Spunky looking as though she wonders what I want from her!

This is a horse farm in Oak Hill, PA - not far from our home. I love seeing their horses out when I drive by.

A glorious Sycamore tree in downtown Lemont, PA. There are several around that are still healthy, for which we are grateful!

This is Rockview Farm on Benner Pike, between Bellefonte & State College, PA - on the prison grounds. They raise cattle and have two horses that are occasionally used by the rangers. I don't know if the beef is used at the prison or sold for profit. Interesting question, that.

I was out for a wonderful meeting with girlfriends today at the Waffle Shop. We're all rather unique art quilters past a "certain age" and enjoying life to the fullest of our abilities. There was lots of sharing and laughter plus delicious food, of course. The Winter Storm Warning stayed outside as we had a fun-loving luncheon. Two of us had a Kid Special - one chocolate chip pancake, one egg, one sausage, one strip of bacon. One gal chose a bowl of vegetable soup on this gray day. And the other chose a cup of soup with a tuna melt sandwich. Is your mouth watering yet?

Thanks for visiting!