This week, I’m switching things up a bit to showcase three art prints of brightly colored orchids. I used a fauvism technique which creates somewhat abstract shapes with very bright colors. For anyone that has been following my work over the years, you have seen this technique used by me on a variety of subject matters.
The first one is a red orchid stem showcasing a number of the blooms.
This week I wanted to share some prints that I created using a pastel chalk technique. The three that I have posted all have architectural elements to them. I haven’t created many prints using this technique, but thought it did bring a unique look to the subject matters attached.
The first one is the door to the train station in Glendale, California (Los Angeles area). The train station was built in 1924 by the Southern Pacific Railroad using a romantic Spanish Colonial Revival style. The elaborate architectural details immediately becomes a visual focal point. The station now serves for both Amtrak and the Los Angeles Metro Rail system and was purchased by the city of Glendale in 1989. I liked the way this technique highlight the colors and architectural detail of this door.
The second print is the Daniels and Fisher Tower located in downtown Denver along the 16th Street Mall. The tower was constructed in 1910 as part of the Daniels and Fisher department store. At that time it was the tallest structure between the Mississippi River and California. Again, this technique highlights the color of the brick facade and compliments the architectural details
The third print is from Union Station in downtown Denver, Colorado. Behind Union station is the transit center where Amtrak, light rail and RTD buses come together. The difference between the first two examples and this one, is that this structure is is very modern in design, but again the subtle colors pop out with this technique complimenting the design element.
In keeping with a look from my last few posts depicting peace and serenity, I have attached an art print called Garden Waterfalls. The setting is in Issaquah, Washington (eastern suburb of Seattle). Taking this scene, I used an abstract watercolor technique that simplifies the actual shape of the detail in the trees, bushes and waterfalls. This allows the eye to take in the entire perspective of this scene without getting lost in the many details that make it up.
I ‘m taking us from sepia tone photography (last week) to bright vivid colors of two prints featuring still life. Both are collages of fruit in bright surreal colors. Who would have thought apples and pears would make such interesting still life subjects?
While helping Mom and Dad introduce our granddaughter to animals at the Los Angeles Zoo last fall, the Flamingos caught my attention. I have always loved the look of Flamingos and their coloring. Looking at some of the images I took from a photo shoot, I visualized them in a unique abstract colorful form. I started by drawing the Flamingos in various stages of walking and feeding. I then filled the forms with a variety of vibrant colors. I took those creations and ran them through a digital painting process that creates strong “impasto style” brush stokes. The attached art prints are the resulting images.
Over the years, I have featured a number of prints from my Hot Air Balloons Gallery. I love hot air balloons and especially love to create prints that are not typical for them. You usually see pictures of the balloons floating in the sky, but I like a different approach. I find the process of preparing these big, bright, beautiful balloons fascinating. Watching them get unpacked, stretched out and then inflated creates an interesting visual experience which I have tried to capture. Over the years I have used a variety of techniques in my presentations. Today, I am using a technique that creates a slightly abstract approach, using bold ink pen strokes to outline the balloons and then filling in with bright colors and strong brush strokes.
Carlsbad, California is located in North San Diego County – north of the city of San Diego proper. It sits along the coastline and the village center is just blocks from the beach. This particular setting is just south of the village center where there is a walkway along the coast just above the beach (notice the fence as it lines the walkway above the beach). To get down to the beach there are long stairs scattered periodically for access. I have a number of art prints done in various styles from this setting. What I wanted to feature today was this particular print I did using more subtle earth tones instead of bright vibrant colors. It creates a different visual experience and supports a more relaxed mood with the setting sun. I used the same technique I talked about last week (impasto) to create the thick bold brush strokes.
The two art prints I am featuring today are simple items – three decorative balls. These are the typical kind you would find in a large decorative bowl to add a design element to a room. I took these three balls and did my usual photo shoot with various positions and arrangement changes to give me some choices to work with. Narrowing it down to a couple of shots, I then proceeded to do my magic utilizing an abstract technique to create the drawn elements and then started to play with colors. The final piece of the process was to take the resulting colorful “flat” prints and give them a final element of texture which is the impasto technique I employ on a number of my pieces creating large bold brush strokes. From simple decorative balls to bold and colorful abstract art prints.
High Above the Surf: a wall art print where I used a sketching and watercolor technique creating this scene. This technique uses sketched strokes to define the subject and then filled in with a watercolor look. This particular wall art print depicts a house on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean. I love the setting as it portrays a single structure far up on a bluff overlooking the sea. I can just picture nestled by the fire on a cold rainy night or sitting on a deck overlooking the ocean on a warm summer evening. Thoughts?
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Street Scene In Soft Abstract was created using a variety of techniques to create this abstract watercolor looking art print inspired by a pedestrian area in downtown Seattle between the two stadiums (football & baseball). Thoughts?
Please visit my main gallery: TheWallGallery (All domestic orders over $60.00 – free shipping!)
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