Pink Hydrangeas

The Pink Hydrangea 11x14

Pink Hydrangea with teapot 12x16

These pink hydrangeas stayed looking great for so long that I ended up painting them twice. Such is the advantage of a potted plant over cut flowers.The first painting I did with a simple pitcher  and focused on the plant and the lighting. I am a big fan of red and love the warmth and harmony of the set up. The second time I painted the hydrangea with more items concentrating  on the overall movement and color harmonies while still keeping the lighting a major element. The fluted and undulating surface of the teapot  added a challenge that the more simplified pitcher did not. The grapes withered half way through and had to be completed mostly from memory. I like the simplicity of the first, but enjoyed the challenge of the second.

Still life variations

"Havest Glow "

"Tea for Two"  11x14 oil

My focus recently has been to try to bring more exciting light into the painting. Moving the paint around, playing with edges, exaggerating colors and pushing the contrast has all been part of my experimenting. I am always drawn to reds and like the warm feeling it imparts.