Flower Series

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A close observation of the form enables me to study what is happening within, without, and around the flower. I first make pencil and prisma color pencil sketches of the flower, oftentimes carefully taking the flower apart in order to understand the anatomy.

With all this information in mind, I can begin to express my feelings towards the object. In my portrayal of the subject matter, I can now create my own color combinations which I exaggerate in order to create deep spatial form and atmosphere. At times, the flowerscapes may include blossoms which probably would never bloom together at the same time, but my emphasis is on color, design, space, and plasticity, thus I give myself poetic license.

One Hundred & Four Flowers in My Garden

watercolor

AWARDS

This painting has won three awards, including 1st Prize, Water-based Media, Newburyport Art Association 7th Annual Regional Juried Show 2004. Judged by Rachel Lafo, Director of Curatorial Affairs at The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA.

Lafo stated, "I looked for technical excellence, innovative approaches to subject matter and medium and an independent vision in judging the works." In reference to Mitchell's award-winning painting, she said, "Profusion of color and form."

One Hundred & Four Flowers in My Garden is a diary of my beloved GARDEN. Each day, after spending some silent time with the piece of land of which I am presently the steward, I would choose my "bloom of the day." I would then carefully study the motif, oftentimes making preliminary sketches in order to understand the personality and the anatomy of the plant. Only after I could feel where this flower needed to grow on my format did I bring out the paints. At all times, poetic plasticity was my foremost concern when making placement and color choices.

One big challenge was cooperating with what the garden was presenting to me. I needed to keep a balance of flower shapes, colors, sizes and textures while composing this piece. Some days I needed to paint several flowers in order to catch their essences before their short-lived days were gone. The lilies, which are my favorite, bear blooms for two to three weeks so this was a busy time for me. After spending two summer seasons creating this watercolor painting, I managed to capture all of the flowers in my garden except the early spring bloomers.

Zinnias & Petunias II

watercolor

Yellow Tulips Awakening

watercolor

Me & My Garden

watercolor

Flowers in the Round I

watercolor

SOLD

Flowers in the Round II

watercolor