Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Reeds and Reflections



Reeds And Reflections
 6x8in oil on canvas &135.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
I like the simplicity in the design
on this. Guess what is underneath...
yes, two Koi!


When I started the painting
 this is the path I was on.
I was trying to get the 
shafts of light on the water .
I couldn't quite get what I wanted and 
I realized I had repeated the pattern 
of two fish swimming together...
been there - done that 
type of thing. Scraped it off.
(left a neat ghost.)

No Koi,.. no Waterlily...
just the reflections and reeds.
I like it. It's different for me.




31 comments:

  1. Love the depth in lower left corner. Beautiful painting Julie.

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    1. Thanks, Blanche. So pleased you like it.
      Are you painting at all?

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  2. Masterful use of color, Julie! Got a better appreciation of the palette when I clicked on the painting. Pow! Another stunner!!

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    1. Hi Chris - Your praise means a lot - thank you.
      I was admiring your powerful image of the elephant.
      You made its EYES look so focused and intelligent. Awesome.

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  3. It's beautiful, Julie! Is that moonlight on the water? The blues and yellows remind me of "Starry Night!" The horizontals and verticals are captivating as are the rhythmic patterns of the water. Isn't it interesting where our art leads us at times?!

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    1. No, not moonlight, but a gas light, Carol.
      I didn't think about Starry Night, but I agree...blues and yellows.
      Yes - art is interesting with never a dull moment. Is that why we love it so much?




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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks, Christiane...nice words coming from an accomplished painter.

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    1. Hi Sue - great post you have about teaching the young artist. I applaud you.

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    1. Serene - I like that. Thanks.
      great painting of pansies - I especially like the way you filled the space.

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  7. Mission accomplished. I love the abstractness of the water and the exactness of the reeds.

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    1. I like that juxtaposition too. I like that we share that. Thanks Sharon.
      What day is your free painting this month?

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  8. Those reeds are so delicate-very nice!

    Nothing wrong with a scrape off, or crumple up or wipe down or throw away! Talk about been there, done that! Maybe seeing everything so far as parts of a whole (a series or what have you) is another approach.

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    1. Thanks Libby.
      Now you are planning with paper has it cut down on your need to correct work?

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    2. No, It honestly hasn't. (And thank you for asking.) I can say though that I am a big corrector to begin with (mostly for color) so I didn't think that would be too different. The corrections now have much more to do with general design considerations though than they ever did before. I think I am getting better at mentally drawing a shape and looking at the paper first, imagining what should go in that spot. There is so much to learn and each piece is different. Lots of fiddly bits of paper and tape on my floor!

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  9. Reeds and Reflections is the perfect title. Love the light and gorgeous colors!!!

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  10. Boy this is a perfect statement of how simplicity can have the most power. The sense of the water is pure.....

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    1. How lovely to hear from you, Lauren. Thank you. I was marveling at how beautifully you painted the Kakapo bird. A flightless bird. I love finding out new things like that.

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  11. such gorgeous colours :D I keep thinking I see basic Koi shapes in the water, but could blame that on lack of sleep :p

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    1. LOL - love this comment.
      Thanks for the visit. I always love your drawings but I know i am missing something with the names you give them.?????
      I just waved my magic wand...may you sleep well tonight!

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  12. Beautiful. The golds add mystery for me which I like lots.

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    1. Have you done more in your tree series, Helen? I like the golds and blues too! Thanks Helen.

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  13. Stunning!!! I love the mix of gold and violets, especially the area where the koi once was.

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    1. I REALLY appreciate you recognizing the koi were once there - yea!. Cannot do that in watercolor so you have to be spot on don't you? You really have the gift of perfect washes. I love your work.

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  14. Wow, I love the simplicity of this one and the colours and the composition and, ok everything :)

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  15. Congratulation on the publication Leesa. The design and colors look FABULOUS!

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  16. In all simplicity gorgeously painted .... you can 'feel' it !

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  17. Beautifully designed, I love the movement and the travel of light all through,!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie