When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

Archive for August, 2007

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Damselflies

Saturday, August 11th, 2007


 
Mating Damselflies
… just returned from Alberta, where this summer’s hot temperatures have maintained high numbers of dragonflies and damselflies. These ones will have offspring born in Airdrie, just outside of Calgary.

Emerald Tree Boas

Saturday, August 4th, 2007


 

Emerald Tree Boas - Dallas World Aquarium - 24H x 57W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas

Emerald Tree Boas, 24H x 57W x 2D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, trim frame

This painting accumulated finer detail than is typical of my work, except in graphite illustrations. The Emerald Tree Boas are one of my favorite exhibits at the Dallas World Aquarium (Texas). Their beautiful green skin has striking black and white scale patterns along the spine and a turquoise mother-of-pearl overall sheen that’s visible at certain angles where the body delicately curls and bends.
It would be nice if this painting could carry enough potency to alter the automatic responses of fear and disgust that are associated with snakes. I made Santa hats with construction paper and cotton balls, taping them on as part of our Christmas decorations.

  Left detail, Boas' Christmas, construction paper, cotton balls taped on Emerald Tree Boas, 24 x 57 x 3 inches acrylics on canvas Right detail, Boas' Christmas, construction paper, cotton balls taped on Emerald Tree Boas, 24 x 57 x 3 inches acrylics on canvas

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