Tidewaters

The tide is going out, and soon the rocks and marine life will be exposed, but for now the slowly moving water makes lovely, lazy ripples around the rocks. The sense of what's underwater pleases me. Wish I were sitting on one of those salty rocks right now, waiting for the nearest anemone to pop its head above water. Can you smell that scent?

Also 2.5" x 3.5", this one on Bristol paper.

~Deborah

Sparkling Bay

I'm in the mood for still waters! I love the softly receding sand beneath the water, and I think I managed to catch that, but it's all about the sparkles caught in the sun. Clear blue water, a distant island, sunny, cloud-speckled sky... Peace abounds.

My usual small size, 2.5" x 3.5", on Canvas Paper.

~Deborah

Georgia Garden

Nope, I don't live in Georgia! This is a photo that Phyllis Franklin allowed me to use, taken in early spring in a garden near her home. It's simply breathtaking to a New Mexico girl to see all that green, all those lush flowers and the dazzling azaleas! I had to give it a whirl.

I like the sense of the light encircling the big tree, which remains mostly in shade. It gives a nice path for the eye. My favorite part is the texture and colors on the tree trunk, however. It stabilizes the composition, like the hub of a wheel.

It's back to my usual 2.5" x 3.5" format, this time on Bristol paper. 

~Deborah

Yosemite Falls

Another painting done from a photograph of Yosemite Falls taken by Gerald Parras. (Thanks again, Gerald.)  It's a grand place, full of drama and mystery. I love the scale created by the inclusion of the small figure. The large underlying shapes in the painting please me, with the dark green and strong blue triangles 'pointing' the eye into the sunlit trees and waterfall. Of course, the strong light angle of the falls and the varied geometry of the rock wall are the stars of the show!

Arches 300 cold press watercolor paper, 7" x 5". HUGE for me!

~Deborah

Winter Drama -- GIANT size (for me) 5"x7"

This is a painting done from a photo that I was graciously given permission to use. (Thank you, Gerald Parras!) It's got it all--a view of our mountains on a crisp winter day, sweeping vistas of the city, and a dramatic sky. I just loved painting that wind-whipped sky and the sunny range of snow covered mountains. The open spaces give a nice impression of the city receding away to the peaks, and the color contrasts are pleasing. How can you miss with blue and peach? It captures that warm-in-the-sunshine, cold-in-the-shadows kind of day we so often enjoy during winter here in New Mexico.

Yes, it's GIANT for me! You know I usually paint 2.5"x3.5" paintings, but this subject just called out for a bit larger (relatively speaking) format. It's on a piece of 5"x7" Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. cold press, a sample I had on hand. It's quite nice and if I have occasion I'll definitely invest in more. 

~Deborah

Arching Iris

Ah, memories of gardens gone by... this one was up at our mountain house. We lived for 16 years at 7,000 feet in the Sandia Mountains. Our garden was compact but at times quite lush. This painting actually captures the place, I think. I love the contrasting bright orange and cool blues and greens, dark red and light purple, recalling the sunny place and lively colors there.

~Deborah

Spring Blossoms

It's definitely spring! The snow is gone, and it's nice and warm and sunny out, just as was forecast. (I have the sunburn to prove it.) This painting captures the cheerful warmth and blue skies of springtime, I think. I like the uplifting composition and the focus on the flower trio. The limited palette of green, blue and red is simple. Sometimes simple is best.

It's my usual size and the same paper I've used a lot lately, 2.5" x 3.5", on Bristol paper.

~Deborah