Petrified Wood, watercolor

This “Petrified”  watercolor was inspired by my fascination with petrified wood (wood which has turned into rock).  It is interesting to study the lines, colors, shapes, mystery and history all pressed into a “log”. 

Tumbling Rocks, watercolor

I've always been fascinated by the idea of rocks worn smooth and round from years of tumbling against the other rocks. A great subject for playing with watercolor textures.

Landscape watercolor

“Underneath” Watercolor   

Dozens of coats of transparent watercolor form veils of pigment revealing the many layers in its history. This painting began with spontaneous linear strokes which took on recognizable landscape form. The white paper coming through creates a magical luminosity. Crisp final brushstokes define little capsules evidencing the treasures buried beneath us.

Watercolor Doorway

This is a French street scene of a garden shop that exists only in my mind, and now on your screen.

Watercolor Arches

I thought this was an appropriate painting with which to start the New Year!

May many doors open to you in 2012!

Flower Seller, watercolor

I've painted very few people in my life, but recently pulled out this one for a revisit.
I want to try her again.




Saw the incredible Rembrandt show at the North Carolina Museum of Art yesterday.  It is the largest collection of Rembrandts every shown in America and will travel to Minneapolis MN this summer. With his dramatic lighting and somber palette he really captured the moodiness and character of his subjects.
 

Watercolor, Purple Grapes on the Vine

Grapes on the vine make for such delightful subjects with their clusters of purple orbs, twisty calligraphic vines and interesting foliage. This watercolor is 20x30.

Abstract Fall Woods Landscape

This painting captures the powerful transformation of the woods during the season's change. The dynamic shapes of oranges and golds are like party dresses on the trees.

Oil 8x10

Lily White Iris Watercolor Painting demonstration Video

The PROCESS of making art more is far more satisfying to me than seeing the finished product.  Most artists would agree- "doing" is better than "having done".  I am working on capturing this process of painting through video.  It is a whole new way of looking at art.  I'm having fun.

Watch a two minute video of this watercolor coming to life.

White Cyclamen on Black Background, Watercolor & Ink

11x13 Watercolor with India Ink background

Tonight 

Join us in the showroom from 5-8 this Friday  March 11, 2011 for a reception to celebrate the wonderful paintings of local artist Amy Hautman! 
The Virginia Gail Collection is excited to showcase a collection of the artist's "representational oils & watercolors with a whimsical twist."

The Virginia Gail Collection

201 S Estes Dr. in Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Chapel Hill/Carrboro 2nd Friday Artwalk 2nd Friday Artwalk events are free and open to the public



 

  

"We're Golden", Chicken Pair, Oil Painting

BIG is fun!  This is a new 24x 36 Oil Painting on Canvas. Watching a chicken face the size of my own emerge from the canvas was a bit of trip. Now they are here on my studio wall watching my every move.

Eucalyptus Tall and Thin, Watercolor

The dark background really makes the subject pop forward.  I had fun making up the shapes of the shadows and giving it a sense of light. The nature of the tall and narrow plant called for a long thin composition. This is 1/2 a sheet of Arches Watercolor paper.   15x30.

Available    $750.

WInter Eucalyptus

As spring approaches I am more tuned into the beautiful parts of the winter garden.  Before all the bones of the landscape become hidden by the profusion of greenery, I am noticing the great shadowy shapes created between branches, berries and sticks.

Watercolor and India Ink on Paper

 5x8
SOLD

Eucalyptus at End of Winter, Watercolor and India Ink

After being in Minnesota last week and remembering what 22 below feels like, my home in North Carolina seems downright balmy.  I've been standing in the garden appreciating the the fact that I can be there with a sketchbook, pencil and bare hands. In Minnesota I could only draw on the windshield with an ice scraper.

I wanted to record the last of winter with this painting of the crisp leaves and berries tangled in the skeleton of the garden.

Icy Blue Landscape

It is a rare phenomenon here in Raleigh,  North Carolina to see all the trees covered in glittering shells of ice.  

8x10 Oil