Straight Line, Please
A still life can sometimes be so alive. The organic elements here seem to communicate with their rolling forms and nodding stems. In this small painting, I was once again going for a painterly look with fewest strokes I could manage. Fruit is always so obliging to such experiments.
Black Velvet
Walking through a park one day, I met this dignified creature. I had never seen a black swan before, and this one was proud to spread his tuxedo whites for me. Could this have been the ugly duckling? I suspect there is no such thing.
Filipina Maria
Stylized like folk art of the Philippines, this Mary, Mother of Jesus is dressed in a traditional handpainted skirt. Her costume is a blend of Spanish and Philippine traditional attire which often emerge together when the people “dress up” for grand occasions. Among the Catholic Filipinos, she is lovingly called, “Mama Mary.” Since bright color is celebrated, I had no qualms about surrounding her with it in this painting.
Pot of Petunias
Such a hot, baking sun, even the petunias were losing courage. The warmth of the colorful display caught my attention, and so did the lacy shadow. The arrangement by human hands of these natural beauties also gives me pause.
Mist Off the Pond
One October morning, some years back, I took a photo of some of our “backyard”. The cool morning air was hitting the warm pond in the distance and creating clouds below and above. I pushed the color a bit as I painted the scene, an almost abstract landscape of nature’s humble wonders.
