watercolor, 11 x 14 inches
Showing posts with label New Orleans architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Orleans architecture. Show all posts
7/1/15
1/3/09
The House Next Door
Watercolor, 5 x 6 inches
This was painted quickly, late on a gray day. I was experimenting with laying washes, basically toning the paper, before laying in the image. Happily, I stopped before overworking it. I like the simplicity of the image.
After seeing the show of David Cox's work in New Haven, as well as the Morandi still life show at the Met, less seems like more.
12/13/08
"Camp Street Doorway"
Watercolor, 14 x 11 inchesPainted plein air, on location, this is one of many beautiful architecture pieces found through out the city.
5/22/08
Regina Rosarii
watercolor, 14 x 11 inchesGreat fun painting this!
A second view to follow in a few days....
5/20/08
Mater Dolorosa, Sunny Morning
watercolor, 14 x 11 inchesSuddenly, it's hot, very, very hot. After a cool Spring, it seemed Summer might never come, but it did indeed arrive yesterday. Meaning that early morning is the best time to paint plein air, without fighting the humidity. On location by 8:00 AM this morning, I'm hoping to be out a bit earlier tomorrow. The sun hitting the bronze doors at Mater Dolorosa was exquisite today. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to be there and paint this.
5/10/08
4/8/08
3/26/08
3/25/08
The One that got away.....
watercolor, 11 x 14 inches
I've become obsessed with this house. Don't know anything about who lived there, but I've painted it at least a dozen times in the last two weeks.
The first watercolor of this house was satisfying, and possibly would have been enough.
Atypically, I was very happy with the result, using a limited palette.
As I packed up, evidently the painting remained behind; I never saw it again. Maybe it was left it on top of the car as I drove off. When I realized it was missing, back I went, driving all over the neighborhood, but to no avail.
Like the fish that got away, in my mind's eye, the painting just kept getting better and better.
Since then, I keep trying to reach that bar again. Sooner or later, if the house doesn't get knocked down first, I'll stop, hopefully after a successful painting experience.
3/24/08
3/23/08
Owen Fos's House, Lakeview
Watercolor, 11 x 14 inchesClick on title to view auction.
This was the first Lakeview house that I fell in love with. A neighbor from across the street told me about Mr. Fos. He is in his 90's, living elsewhere now. I was thrilled to hear that he had survived the storm. His son is trying to take care of the house, which will probably be torn down soon. Many elderly folks in Lakeview chose to stay during Katrina, rather than leave their pets, and perished in their homes when the levee broke.
I drive by it nearly everyday and have done several studies of this structure. This was the first. I hope to do a larger version before it's gone. While I was painting here, a Sewage and Water Board employee came by, giving out handbills telling of impending street work in the area.
I feel a tremendous sense of urgency to document so many different, beautiful old houses in Lakeview before they're gone, before the street work starts, before the summer heat sets in.
3/11/08
Ah, Love.....
"Behind Reginelli's, Gray Day, 2004", watercolor, 14 x 22Love is a funny thing; you miss it when it's not there, and maybe, take it just a bit for granted when it is.
Years ago, I began playing with watercolor. Played with it here and there, for a few months at a time....and years went by as I pursued a livelihood with pastel portraits and oil paintings.
Every now and then I'd pick watercolor up again, only to be greatly frustrated; it takes several months of daily practice to "hit my stride", feel comfortable enough that I can paint without being self conscious about every stroke.
Invariably though, after a few days of practice, the entire world looks different, luminous. I start seeing with eyes that imagine how to paint everything in watercolor and, amazingly, even McDonald's looks beautiful! At times, watercolor seems like the most impossible of mediums; every small accomplishment makes me want to sing!
On the next rainy morning, I'll photograph recent starts. When the light's up, I'm rushing out to paint....and results are slow. I'm again playing with watercolor. Experimenting. I know that I don't want colored drawings as much as I want watercolor paintings.....but I need to be patient, it will come.
I'm working primarily in a section of New Orleans, Lakeview, that was severely damaged by the storm. For a full two years after Katrina, I couldn't paint there. Every block looked like a wasteland, with doors open swinging in the breeze, like a stage set for a spaghetti Western. Only Clint was missing.... Copper theft [plumbing, fixtures, gutters] was a huge problem for quite some time in the area. Now the neighborhood looks so good, it's amazing to see the few houses on each block that have not yet been re-done or knocked down. And those are the houses which have captured my eye.
2/22/08
Matassa's Grocery: in the French Quarter
watercolor, 14 x 20 inchesPainted plein air in the Quarter.
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