Personal Art Blog

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

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Window Flowers


Window Flowers
8"x6" oil on canvas panel $135. SOLD

Daily Paintworks hosts a
weekly Challenge
Carol Marine chose a window theme.
I love painting windows so I dug out a 
pic from a trip to Acapulco, Mexico.
I still managed to get this month's
theme of flowers in it though...
happy smile...

Artists Note
I do not believe in competitions
between artists for a few reasons - 
mainly that art is so subjective to taste.
I do enter Invitationals and enjoy
them very much so something 
like the DPW Challenge, 
allows for an artist to share in the 
pleasure of a venue with 
like minded painters
without pressure..
I used to enter weekly until my 
schedule became too busy.
I was fun to participate again.



http://www.dailypaintworks.com/challenge/the-window



43 comments:

  1. I just love how you showed the light on that window. Lovely!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The light was what attracted me, too. I love the colors of the buildings in Mexico. They seem so perfect in the hot climate.
      I enjoyed seeing your garden of Eve painting. Rows of tulips brought back memories for me.

      Delete
  2. Beautiful Julie. Great shadows and the texture on the wall speaks volumes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Helen - the building was pretty old - a lot of them were. Painted walls that chip crack and peel. It all added to the charm somehow.
      Good to see such a vibrant painting on your blog. After being so ill it must be nice to be returning to normal energy.

      Delete
  3. Glad to see those turquoise shutters! And doors or whatever else is that color in your area. It's just so pretty against those neutral walls and the pops of red/orange.

    Good for you for doing the DPW challenge again. It seems like a fun group of people at that venue:).

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was a favorite color of doors and windows in not only New Mexico, but also Mexico, India, Bali, Greece and France.
    The DPW group are not only fun but supportive of their members in many ways. I have been with them three years now and feel fortunate.
    You raised a very good point on your blog, Libby, about the very essence of an artist being in their work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The colors are striking:)

      Thanks. I wonder too if the act of copying or simply reproducing a style says something about the artist as well? There was a good article that I just read (Robert Genn's last newsletter dated 5/22) in which the author's talk about how an artist is and isn't present in their own work. Fingerprints if you will. It's good food for thought.
      Libby

      Delete
  5. The colors are so PERFECT!
    Have a peaceful DAY!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a nice thought...a peaceful day. I may get greedy and want a peaceful life. Okay ...a day at a time will do.
      Love your amazing quilt of paint. Hope your show goes very well. Your work is amazing Sue, so I know it will be successful.

      Delete
  6. Julie, Your window is exquisite. The yellows, reds and oranges are the perfect compliment to the beautiful blue/teal hues and the little round flowers sit nicely with the straight architectural shapes of the structure. I can imagine waking on a bright, sunny morning on holiday looking out of this lovely window. I just love it - thank you.
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a lovely comment - thank YOU, Sharon.
      It was so neat seeing the pagoda in your painting at Kew gardens. I must have been 9 or 10 when I saw it and remember I was fascinated with the dragons. Wasn't it built in the 18th century?
      Anyway, you did a beautiful job of painting it.

      Delete
  7. A lovely warm and sunny day and a fabulous mix of colors and dots that makes this painting come alive .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dots?...I went looking for dots, Jane. LOL! I think I see them.
      Love your new portrait. What a great expression and lighting on her face.

      Delete
  8. Love the flowers on the window! It's interesting to read your post...I haven't had time either to submit to the challenges lately. When I think of it though, in many ways, participating in them provided me so many connections to others. There is truly a warm supportive community out there! So glad for the Internet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes - I agree - originally it was the flowers that caught my attention.
      The feeling of belonging to a community has been important for me.
      What I also want to get back to was the variety the DPW Challenges gave me.
      I would love to know your magic secret to values. Your new cat portrait is a marvel.

      Delete
  9. Your painting transports me to that sunny day. Simply lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chris.
      Seeing all the photos you took of unique arty gardens in Portland, were a treat.

      Delete
  10. Your favourite colour system really works well here. This one's a real classic though and the shadow on the top half of the window/painting really works so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John, thanks, I exaggerated the color differences in the shutters to zing it up a bit.Warm/cool!
      Hope you are painting or at least drawing.

      Delete
    2. Yup, I'm still working away on a massive Pen & Ink of Saint David's Cathedral (Internal).

      Delete
  11. A window behind which I would spent a bit my time to watch a garden full of flowers.Always striking your windows,dear Julie, they suggest so many emotions.
    Challenge DPW page with all the windows is very attractive to my eyes.
    Carol gave a great theme and painters art, like magic, transformed the word "window" in so many different and beautiful visions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you know that you do not have to be a member of DPW to submit to the challenges? Would be fun to see a Rita masterpiece up on there sometime.
      I encourage other artists I know to enter the challenge as I think it is stimulating in a fun way.

      Delete
  12. I like the way you've blocked this. Works wonderfully with the basic window shape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct - I do block in with basic shapes first. Helps me see the basic design.
      Makes sense you see it because I enjoy seeing the construction of the torso in your figurative work.

      Delete
  13. Delightful, Julie. Makes my heart sing! Love the shadows on the top part of the shutters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John mentioned he liked that area too. I pushed the warm/cool contrast and that is probably why.
      My heart sings too when I travel and see windows like this. We have them here in New Mexico too but the colored walls are less saturated.
      Thanks for the visit, Carol. And thanks for the other link you let me know about. You are great!

      Delete
  14. Beautifully painted Julie ....the colors and light are so perfect!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Hilda. Any complement from you makes my day!
      Looking forward to your new painting.

      Delete
  15. Hi Julie ... Very beautiful painting with so nice colours and amazing light !!!
    Have a nice and creative week !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks you, Mystelios. Nice of you to say that because no one captures light better than you.
      I like the lighthouse on Cyprus in your new post. beautiful.

      Delete
  16. Great shadow and light, gorgeous colors...A whole lot of love on this canvas! Beautiful, Julie!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a charming painting Julie. The flowers are so delicately painted and the blue shutters are a bonus.

    I have never entered an art contest, but I think I am with you on the reason I would not like to enter one.

    Counting down the days!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your painting of Aimee is lovely. I like the way you set up a total environment with your paintings. Everything is in sync in this one. From the lamp to the dress - all the details are wonderful and true to the period.

      Me too - I am counting the days!!

      Delete
  18. I like what you said about competition between friends. That really sheds light on the whole juried/judged exhibitions. I think people would still enter their work, even if there were no awards, don't you? Just to enjoy the experience of having a show, and sharing our work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Katherine, and that is why I like the Challenge. It is a community of artists of all levels coming together with no driving competition against each other...only to share and encourage.
      Your work is amazing, Katherine, and I enjoyed seeing your chocolate wrappers looking so good. Creative and wonderful calling cards!

      Delete
  19. Love windows. Love flowers. Love this gem for how you played up the flowers and played down the window. If both were played evenly, there would have been a fight. 😊

    I have yet to enter a challenge. I have enough of my own challenges to take my time. This month my challenge is hair--Ruby's, Erin's, and JD's. TheIr roughed in locks have been haunting me long enough. I don't suppose there is a hair challenge?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good critique of the focal area, Linda. It was deliberate to subdue the shutters with softer edge work.
      So I see you like the work of James Joyce. Another era for sure.

      Delete
  20. The window and the flowers compliment each other with their beauty. Any subject is a masterpiece from your magical hands!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Padmaja - thank YOU!
      I am really looking forward to your next landscape.

      Delete
  21. Bonjour chère Julie,

    Je suis fascinée par la présence des fleurs aux fenêtres. En Savoie, les fenêtres et les balcons de nos chalets sont divinement et généreusement fleuris.
    Votre merveilleuse peinture me les rappelle.
    Les couleurs sont sublimes et si harmonieuses. La lumière vient flirter avec les fleurs comme pour les mettre en scène... Un travail fabuleux !

    Gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  22. Just catching up on all your luscious paintings Julie. Your orchids, Chrysanthemums and peppermint roses all made me weak at the knees!! You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete

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