Personal Art Blog

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

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Seeing Red!




Poppies
6x6in oil on canvas panel $110. SOLD


Artist Note.
Classes have started and 
it feels good to be back into 
a daily routine.
Just as it felt good to be taking 
a break before the holidays.

This is a fun-to-do painting.
No pressure of complexity...
just capturing the impression
of flowers without 
getting too detailed.

The difference between this
and the one 
in my previous post 
is quite pronounced.
Yet it  is the same 
subject matter
 - flowers in a vase -
playing with warm and cool 
colors and paint texture.

Main difference?
This one is missing 
the full range of values
the previous one had.
Next difference?
This is a contemporary
viewpoint, 
and the previous one 
was traditional.

I like them both for 
different reasons, 
but most importantly
I enjoy being 
able to do both.





49 comments:

  1. Thanks for the comparison you make between the two posts - enlightening. The problem for me is my inability to explain WHY I like them both. I can say colour and texture are great, and they are, but there is something more that my brain 'gets' but doesn't tell me what it is. :)

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    1. Your brain is working on "personal taste." A wonderful thing.
      The broader our taste then the more we like. You showed me you were more cosmopolitan when we first started visiting each others blogs. Your own work was amazing - exquisite line work done in pen and line... yet you still appreciated my impressionist approach in paint.
      Have you figured a solution to your dilemma yet?

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  2. And the RED is FANTASTIC!
    I like ALL the textures, too.
    I wish you all the best in 2016, Julie.

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    1. Happy you like it. Thank you, Sue.
      I know it will be a great year for you.
      Starting off right doing the 30/30 Challenge.
      Your work pops off the screen. Love the pops of color.

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  3. Both versions are lovely Julie. Glad to hear you are enjoying being back in the saddle!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy - just saw your fabulous sunglasses with a reflection in them. Love the painting.
      You are doing great on the 30/30.

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  4. Oh my, Julie! This is just stunning! The texture is throbbing with energy and color. You have little bits of color throughout in a beautiful kaleidoscopic impression. I hadn't thought of flower arrangements as being traditional or contemporary. What a fascinating point, and I can see that. I will look at flower still lifes in a new way now.

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    1. Your comment makes me happy Carol because I had not seen the colors that way. Thank YOU!
      You also have just taken a contemporary viewpoint with your zooming in on the flower. It made a great abstract but still obviously a flower. I love it.

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  5. This one has a wonderful freshness and intensity that goes so well with the color red! Very contemporary. Very nice.

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    1. Hi Helen, thanks. I have enjoyed your Happy Day flowers, too. Another contemporary viewpoint and I love the freedom of your brush/knife work.

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  6. Both are delightful considering the scarcity of flowers and bright colors in January in these parts. But Roses and Cherries is a gem. Wonderful play of color and light.

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    1. Thank you Linda - your judgment is highly valued.
      January has lots of red for me. The poinsettias are still going and the two amaryllis I have are a gorgeous strong, strong red. I guess when you take off on vacation you cannot have plants around. Hm...lets see, plants or ..sunny skies and blue water. Yup, I will take the vacation every time!

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  7. Wonderful textures and energizing colors!!! I like both of the paintings. This one has a different kind of heat to it.

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    1. I know you are doing the 30/30 so appreciate you taking the time to pass on your lovely comment Joan.
      I love your corner restaurant sketch and the beautiful pink rose.

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  8. All can say is the color's are delicious. Another beauty Julie.

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    1. Delicious...I like that word, Blanche. I do feel that way about color.
      I see you have a love for beautiful color too. You are painting some lovely paintings for the 30/30

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  9. I read recently than one of the hallmarks of a great artist is the confidence with which they make their marks, and your marks are so bold and strong! This painting just shimmers and vibrates with energy... And I also admire how you signed your name. I'm going to be paying attention to your signature, because you made it look so natural within this piece. I really dread signing my paintings because I often think the signature will mess with the composition. Happy New Year, Julie! Best wishes to you and looking forward to the light your art shines for all of us throughout the year...

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    1. This is one of the nicest comments I have had. Thank you, Meredith,
      Your last post is a honest sharing. I was interested to see you facing what I think we all do. To make changes on a painting. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do. I think the painting is fabulous just the way it is.

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    2. You are so very welcome, and thank YOU for all your generous sharing through the years. I appreciate your perspective on my painting, too, since I admire your work so much...

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  10. Julie, both painting are lovely. Your manipulation of tone, color and texture is a treat to behold. Also, I purchase your video on your fracturing technique and it was truly fascinating. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.

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    1. Hi Joan - I saw your post about painting plein air in the snow. A beautiful painting came out of it, but, oh boy...I bet it was cold. I used to put hand warmers on my head under my cap, but my feet were a problem. I salute you.
      Thank you for getting my video. Glad you liked it.

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  11. You do have the range of skill and vision, that is for sure. Both beautifully different pieces but with the same effortless quality:)

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    1. Hi Libby -no, not effortless by any means. Glad it appears that way.
      Your new collage is fascinating. The Hoover Dam had a huge impact on me when I saw it so I was delighted to read your post. I als. enjoyed reading about your working habits gathering information

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  12. Gorgeous, Julie. This painting just screams F*U*N*! An artist who is so comfortable with her subject matter that the painting just falls off the tip of her brush. I am lucky enough to be able to do the once in awhile.Love the texture, the touch of pink, the flecks of red. This is a painting I could live with forever. Yummy!

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    1. Hi Carol, yes - it was fun, but only because I was enjoying the paint colors.The background changed several times. There were stripes there at one time!
      Thanks for the lovely comment.

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  13. I went back and forth and again I loved both equally! I love the splashes of pinks and the texture in the background is amazing! I guess I just love your style!!

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    1. Hi Hilda - love your latest portrait. Superb.
      Good luck with your surgery. thanks for letting us know. Good to have all the positive vibes coming your way.

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  14. Gorgeous! You've created such drama! And it's sold! Congrats! You have such a way with texture and color—it's not haphazard, seems like you're creating an intentional pattern. Love the previous painting as well. Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi Lorraine - thanks for the visit. No - you are right, it is not haphazard. It is not planned out either. I make a mark and see how I feel about it... if I like it then it stays - if not, off it goes. Gradually it takes a life of its own.
      Happy New Year, back, and I am looking forward to seeing your next post.

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  15. Both of these paintings are enchanting, Julie! I keep hoping there's a way to incorporate fracturing into watercolor! Is using YUPO a possibke solution?

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    1. Absolutely, Dana, - Yupo is great for the fracturing technique. Even on regular paper.
      You are fortunate to have a mother who can paint so beautifully. Gives you precious times together.

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  16. Dear Julie this is so gorgeous. I loved your previous painting just as much. I am so awed by your versatility. Bet your students are happy to be back painting and learning again too! Hugs

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    1. They appear to be happy - yes. it is cold here so we need something to cheer us up.
      Have a great week Debbie. Looking forward to see what uplifting message is on your post for this week.

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  17. the other one does have a more traditional look to it, this one has an impressionist look to me :)

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  18. Oh Julie, this one is just beautiful...alive with color and movement. I love the bits of warm and cool throughout...it's dynamite!!

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    1. I think you did a fabulous job with the two sheep. Amazing how natural the wooly coats looked.
      Your title is great too.

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  19. Oh My Julie! This one warms from the inside out...so so lovely! A cure for the winter blahs if there ever was one!

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    1. Thanks Shelley - the winter blahs have hit because we are having cold weather with no sun. It is the sun I miss.
      I especially loved getting the feeling of summer in your painting. Your different blues are so well done. The sky still recedes behind the child who is in blue too. Impressive.

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  20. You know I'm a sucker for color and this has totally drawn me in.

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    1. Thanks Sharon. Good to see you posting. Closing your gallery has left you time for your teaching and I know how busy that will keep you.
      Thanks for the visit.

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  21. A beautiful bouquet! I can see the petals moving about, quite real! :)

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    1. Hi Helen - thank you but talk about real. Your new portrait is fabulous. I recognized him right way.

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  22. Beautiful color and paint application- interesting to compare the two. You are so generous- hallmark of true teacher!

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  23. Gorgeous painting Julie! Looking at it makes me happy. Love the brigt reds and the contrast with the soft but sunny background!

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  24. Loved both the traditional and the contemporary looks Julie,you are so perfect with any style you take up. I have been toying with the contemporary still life in acrylics whenever I need a stress buster but I am still hesitant to share them :-)

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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