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

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

"...the painting has a life of its own. My mission is to bring forth this life". (Jackson Pollock)

"Trust your intuition, it's just like goin' fishin'; you cast your line 'til you get a bite." (Paul Simon)

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Iguana Onna

March 18, 2009

Iguana Onna (Strangler Fig), 11 x 11 x 3 inches acrylics on canvas, gallery wrapped sides painted

March 19th:  Work still in progress, earlier progress below. Today layering thin washes of pale yellow, placing the iguana more into the background. Some of the details of the Strangler Fig growth that are now covered up will be brought back into focus since this is more about the tree than the iguana. Posting the painting on the blog is helpful because it’s viewed differently than while painting or studying it..it’s somehow easier to see areas that still need change when looking at it on-screen. 

The Strangler Fig is a parasite. Seeds sprout in moss or decaying matter among the branches of rainforest canopies. Roots gradually extend downward and over time completely surround the host tree, which dies while nourishing the Strangler Fig growing in its place.

Strangler Fig and Iguana, phase 1 work in progressStrangler Fig and Iguana, phase 2 work in progressStrangling Fig and Iguana, phase 3 work in progress

Strangler Fig and Iguana, phase 4 work in progress

March 14th, March 13: above thumbnails, Phases 1, 2 and 3

March 18: searching for a way to help this not look so mediocre; I may do as in Myrtle At The Zoo and define some Strangling Fig leaves in the foreground then blur the Iguana and other background details.

Categories: acrylic painting, animals, Costa Rica, Forests, Magic Square Series, reptiles, series, The Majesty of Trees Collection, travel, trees, work in progress | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Iguana Onna”

  1. karenx Says:
    March 14th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Very beautiful and fluid…

  2. Jim Says:
    March 18th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    I’m really enjoying this series Nikki. I look in every day to see what’s new here. Good work!

  3. Elizabeth Says:
    March 19th, 2009 at 3:14 am

    Hi Nikki
    I like what you are doing love it…check in everyday to see what is new with the paintings..keep it up…Elizabeth

  4. Nikkico Says:
    March 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    Thanks for being there you guys. There are only two 12 x 12 canvases left to paint and a hundred plans for them!

  5. Virginia Wieringa Says:
    March 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    How generous of you to show your process and the steps. Fascinating.

  6. Nikkico Says:
    March 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    Hi Virginia! How generous of you to say I’m generous, but truth be known, posting the stages of development helps me to see what’s going on too, from an entirely other perspective. I probably get more out of it than anyone! Thanks so much (always)for your comments.

  7. Dan Drury Says:
    April 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    Nature and a bit of abstract,nice blend Nikki.

    The painting has a healthy feel to it and as noted above it is interesting to see the “process and steps”.

  8. Nikkico Says:
    April 6th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks Dan, it is still unfinished, so it’s good to hear what you and others think about it.

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