A blogger friend mentioned a "must see" blog;
BRUSH - PAPER - WATER, written by watercolor artist Chris Beck who will be featuring a series of blogs focusing on American Watercolor Masters.
The first master selected is John Salminen. John is a signature member of numerous art societies and has won more than 190 awards in national and international exhibitions. The majority of John's work involves urban landscapes. His subjects are consistently presented in dynamic compositions and his ability to set a mood with color, light and tone is phenomenal.
Look at his gallery!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Second in the Series: Sand Orchid
When I was in Greece, the orchids growing in the sand amazed me. They seemed to thrive in the environment in the sand next to the water. How can this be?
Not only were the orchids a beautiful, but also was the contrast of the curly, straw like foliage emerging from the sand and the blue-green colors of the spent bulbs of the flowers.
I tried to capture this in the second of the series of watercolor paintings of the sand orchids of Greece.
On to the next painting....
Not only were the orchids a beautiful, but also was the contrast of the curly, straw like foliage emerging from the sand and the blue-green colors of the spent bulbs of the flowers.
I tried to capture this in the second of the series of watercolor paintings of the sand orchids of Greece.
On to the next painting....
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Amazing Photos
Time to play, name that image.
See if you can figure out what each of the three photos represent.
DO NOT look at the answers at the bottom of the blog.
These pictures are from the book Microcosmos by Brandon Broll who lives in London. This book includes many scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of insects, human body parts and household items. These are the most amazing images of what is too small to see with the naked eye.
Surface of a strawberry
Bacteria on the surface of the human tongue
Eyelash hairs growing from the surface of human skin
See if you can figure out what each of the three photos represent.
DO NOT look at the answers at the bottom of the blog.
These pictures are from the book Microcosmos by Brandon Broll who lives in London. This book includes many scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of insects, human body parts and household items. These are the most amazing images of what is too small to see with the naked eye.
Surface of a strawberry
Bacteria on the surface of the human tongue
Eyelash hairs growing from the surface of human skin
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Kinetic Sculptures
Theo Jansen is a Dutch artist who builds walking kinetic sculptures that he calls a new form of life. His "Strandbeests" walk the coastline of Holland, feeding on wind and fleeing from water. They are made with PVC pipe.
Watch them in action.
The artist at work.
ENJOY!
Watch them in action.
The artist at work.
ENJOY!
Monday, February 28, 2011
First in the Series
Sand Orchids of Greece
Back to painting!
First, we had sunny days which found me working in the yard and thinking garden. Next, we had lots of snow and I had to go skiing. Now, I am back in the studio. Well, since I am painting from photographs of Greece, can I actually be in Greece?
To be exact, I am sitting on Plakias Beach on the southern coast of Crete where the sand orchids are profuse and the vista spectacular.
Ahhh, what fond memories......
Sand Orchids of Crete
Joanne Osband
watercolor
First, we had sunny days which found me working in the yard and thinking garden. Next, we had lots of snow and I had to go skiing. Now, I am back in the studio. Well, since I am painting from photographs of Greece, can I actually be in Greece?
To be exact, I am sitting on Plakias Beach on the southern coast of Crete where the sand orchids are profuse and the vista spectacular.
Ahhh, what fond memories......
Joanne Osband
watercolor
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
View the Sistine Chapel
From the Comfort of Your Home!
Do you have plans to go to Rome to see the Sistine Chapel?
How about without crowds?
And no neck strain with the ability to get close up views of the ceiling?
See it online! Yes, with your mouse you can take a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel and zoom in on Michelangelo's magnificent paintings.
Now, that is awesome!
ENJOY YOUR TOUR.......
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What You Can Miss Seeing
At the moment, I am working on two watercolor paintings. The subject matter for these paintings is the sand orchids of Greece which I mentioned in my last blog.
As I was painting and enjoying the range of colors which were happening because I was using a technique called glazing and defining negative space. I use the technique often because it is truly one of my favorite watercolor techniques. As I was enjoying the moment painting, I realized how this beauty and detail is lost in a reproduction of the painting.
You miss seeing this color and detail when you view a watercolor painting online or buy a print. Only when you see the original watercolor painting can you see the variation of colors. It is similar to viewing the dots or blobs of paint of a pointillist or impressionist painting. From a distance, these dots and blobs blend and the experience is different than viewing up close.
Thus, when you view a watercolor painting online you will miss out on all the nuances of its creation. Always ask to see the original or treat yourself to a visit at an art show of original works.
Here are a couple of details of the stems of the sand orchids in my current watercolor paintings:
As I was painting and enjoying the range of colors which were happening because I was using a technique called glazing and defining negative space. I use the technique often because it is truly one of my favorite watercolor techniques. As I was enjoying the moment painting, I realized how this beauty and detail is lost in a reproduction of the painting.
You miss seeing this color and detail when you view a watercolor painting online or buy a print. Only when you see the original watercolor painting can you see the variation of colors. It is similar to viewing the dots or blobs of paint of a pointillist or impressionist painting. From a distance, these dots and blobs blend and the experience is different than viewing up close.
Thus, when you view a watercolor painting online you will miss out on all the nuances of its creation. Always ask to see the original or treat yourself to a visit at an art show of original works.
Here are a couple of details of the stems of the sand orchids in my current watercolor paintings:
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