Still waiting...

So it has been 6 weeks or so since the last post and I've yet to see that warm day. But, I did complete another watercolor painting. It's a cardinal, by the way.

Less Depressing than the Previous Post

This painting was completed a few months ago, but until now I hadn't realized that it wasn't posted on the blog. The sumac berries are very appealing to birds, and the leaves and berries are appealing to paint.

Downy Woodpecker & Smooth Sumac, watercolor by Anne Gilna

Hibernating

This is a tough winter. The combination of cold, wind and snow accumulation has not inspired me to be creative or productive. The temperature is dropping and the north wind is making the windows rattle. There is a bit of extra daylight at the beginning and the end of the day, and I know it's increasing, but it's useless against the onslaught. Oh, for a warm day!

So the art doesn't have to be hidden away until April.

Today I hung a display of 19 original pieces at the Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich, IL. There is a display wall intended for artwork, and I am artist of the month for December. 

Keeping It Simple

In an attempt to offer a more more broad selection of original art sizes and price points, I've decided to produce smaller, simpler works. My thinking is to create original art for smaller spaces, and smaller budgets. This being the case, I have to still maintain a high standard of detail and accuracy, but with less going on in the composition. I also must work quickly without compromising attention to detail.
When working with an iris, speed is essential. This plant blooms and withers in no time. In less than one hour, I painted this iris bloom. It looked noticeably different at the beginning of the hour than it did at the end.

Small Iris, watercolor by Anne Gilna

I'm not thrilled with the color produced by my scanner. I'll go outside to take a photo of the piece when I can which will be more accurate.

The Art Fair Season Ends.

Yes, it's over. And it was a mixed bag, too. Sales ranged from excellent to dud-like, but all in all, I'll have a lot of paintings to work on over the off season. I also have decided to branch out slightly from my usual format, and will experiment with that idea over the long non-art fair season. That is all I have to offer on that subject until there is something to show for it in this space.

Speaking of goldfinches

While in my recent goldfinch groove, this painting was done over the summer. It was commissioned, which explains the unlikely scenario pictured here.

Four Yellow Birds, Watercolor and Colored Pencil.