Hello 2023!
Hi Friends,
I’m a bit late getting back into this online world, but better late than never right?! I hope you enjoyed a joyful and relaxing holiday season! Here we go, moving into another year filled with hope. Our family had a quieter Christmas as we moved into the tail end of Covid Land in our home! We are regaining our energy and looking forward to a healthy and happy new year. Which I wish for you too! May the upcoming year be filled with peace, gentleness and joy! xx
To begin the year, I thought I would share works I completed using a circular motif in the form of a living wreath. Each piece was completed from life by observing living subject matter.
Circular forms feel extra meaningful to me. I love their flowing form and how they relate to nature’s cycles of life. New beginnings and endings moving along in one continuous motion. Thus, I thought these images and thoughts would fit perfectly with this time of year as we begin a new year with new dreams.
I would love to hear some of your dreams and aspirations! Did you pick a “Word of the Year”? I was having a hard time picking mine and then finally it came to me “SHIFT”. My word always comes from an intuitive feeling when I see or think of one.
I personally love seeing behind the scenes processes of creative work. I always find it interesting how artists have their own unique way of working. Here’s a peek into the processes I used to create and paint these botanical styled wreaths. All work is created with oil paints on Arches oil paper that received a coat of Gamblin oil ground to make it less absorbent. Let me know if you enjoy these type of behind the scenes posts.
My initial process begins by manipulating living subjects. Initially I take time to play with a pleasing composition by manipulating my subjects on a piece of paper the same size as my oil paper.
You can also see in the last photo, that I created a pencil sketch with notes before I began painting the Alstroemeria. After sketching out my subjects lightly with pencil, I begin painting through direct observation.
Progress photos of both subjects:
After I sketch my subject lightly in pencil, I added a soft color wash of terra rosa to tone down the green in the leaves. You can see that I painted the last arc of greenery before I added the berries. This made it much easier to place them in a pleasing position.
Also, before I drew the berries into my composition, I placed the living sprig directly on top of my painting to check what position was visually appealing.
In this piece I sketched out the bottom greenery first to assist in my placement of the Alstroemeria. Then I laid each bloom on my paper checking for correct placement before I sketched and then painted it in. I continued in this manner until all the blooms were complete.
Here all three blooms and the upper greenery have been painted before I painted the last arc of greenery. I’d like to mention that painting white flowers on a white background present a challenge in and of itself! Subtle shifts in value and color must be kept in mind.
Full Views and Thoughts Behind Both Completed Paintings:
“Gift of Friendship” was inspired by my love of botanicals and wreaths. I really enjoyed working on this piece after I adjusted to painting white flowers on a white background! Working from life definitely has its challenges, but I loved designing this wreath with living subjects. I kept all subjects in a vase in my cold room, taking out the ones I needed for each painting session.
When I pick a floral subject, it is often based on the gesture or emotion experienced. I felt this flower lent itself well to the graceful curves of a wreath shape. I also looked up the meaning of Alstroemeria and was happy to find it means, devotion, friendship and wealth. Honestly, what could be better than the abundance felt by a beautiful, trustworthy friend!
Botanicals Used from Top to Bottom: Alstroemeria, Leatherwood Fern and Boxwood
Again my love of botanical wreaths was the catalyst that helped encourage this design. I love designing and working with living subjects. It sets me on a contemplative journey with regards to line, flow, negative space etc. Although I arrive with an initial design, I allow for flexibility as I paint, changing and tweaking the composition as I go if needed.
The challenging part is that I work from life in a representational manner, so my subject’s life span is constantly on my mind. Thus, I must work in stages with each subject, taking out the ones I need during a painting session and keeping the others in my cold room (or a fridge). Also, I tend to work slowly while working on paper, as it is not very forgiving if I make mistakes. It felt calming to work on this piece with all its greenery. I loved adding that pop of red in amongst soothing greens.
Botanicals Used from Top to Bottom: Boxwood, Ilex Berries and Myrtle.
I hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes glimpse! I would love to know if you have created your own or purchased living wreaths. Where do you like to hang yours? Do they stir any memories or thoughts for you?
Warmly,
Debbie xx
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Your work is so beautiful Debbie! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!
So glad you’re feeling better now. Those circular wreath paintings are beautiful. That’s a powerful word you’ve chosen to guide your 2023. Mine is “connections” so I’ll be staying in touch with you and your work!