New Paintings from the Studio

The Ridge After Sunrise 14 x 21

Ridgeline Rhythmns 16 x 12


In winter, I tend to finish paintings in the studio. These are the two most recent. In the studio , I can use my outdoor starts as compositions where I play with color harmonies and really concentrate on what the painting needs.
In Ridgeline Rhythms, I pushed myself to abstract the ridge. I love the diagonals of the mountains.
In the Ridge After Sunrise, I explored the darks from early morning.
There was a piece in the New Yorker Magazine a while ago that described these hills as a lovely rumpled landscape, a phrase I love and plan on using as a painting title one of these days. The Ridge after Sunrise is more about the low light and colrs but has some of that rumpled feeling.

The Curve of the Earth.. My Process

First stage, completed outside
The Curve of the Earth, 21 x 14 watercolor on Arches

Recently, I 've been doing what I call hybrid paintings, that is, starting the painting outside and having it visualized completely ,but finishing in the studio from memory . Mostly because the light has changed in two hours and I would be painting from memory even if I were on site.
For instance, The Curve of the Earth was started last summer on the Summit of Mount Diablo, from about 8:30 am until 10:30 when the temperature hit above 90 and the lovely early morning light was gone.
The title is from an outing with the astronomical society years ago, the setting sun makes the mountain cast a shadow where you can clearly see the curvature. I felt as if the horizon was so distant that I could almost see around the planet.

The Hills Are Alive 143rd American Watercolor Society International Exhibition Acceptance

The Hills Are Alive 14 x 21 Watercolor on Arches

When I moved to California, I was completely surprised by the velvety greens of winter.
This ridge is about six miles from my house , near the entrance to Morgan Territory. It is a place I walk often, with horse farms, lamas and goats. This ridge and the vegetation have such interesting shapes and colors , it seemed alive to me on many levels.
I am thrilled to have it juried into the American Watercolor Society 143rd Exhibition. I was fortunate enough to exhibit in the 142nd as well, after years trying, it feels good to reach a lifetime goal. Because I have been accepted into two AWS Exhibtions, I can now apply for Signature Status.

Sonoma Vineyard Paintings from October

October Vines 14 x 14
October Vines Study 9 x 12
Vineyard Rythmns 14 x14
Three paintings of vineyards from October. I am working on getting comfortable painting smaller. I like the vineyards climbing up hills and you can see I am still using high horizons.

Reprinted from Michael Newberry's blog, Update 10/19 with video link

Bartholemew Park 12 x 16 watercolor on Arches

"Robin Purcell’s Style in Watercolor

October 2, 2009 — Michael Newberry

Robin Purcell, Bartholomew Park, 2009, watercolor on arches, 12 x 16 inches

Robin Purcell has a unique style in which quilt-like patches of color overlap and flow across both the paper and the landscape. She varies the tone and hue of the colors, which encourages our eyes to move from one area to another; notice how this works with the four different patches of burnt orange (lower left to lower right of the image). More elaborately, she does the same thing with the variations of the greens, from the first three triangular shapes in the foreground to the many shapes changing in intensity as they recede back through the hills.

Purcell’s style has hints of early 20th-century children’s illustrated books, with the patchwork landscape of Southwest England, and Vermeer’s abstract patches of light and shadow.

This work along with a few other of Purcell’s watercolors will be on display in the group show, Landscape with a Modern Edge at the Newberry Gallery in Santa Monica.

Michael Newberry"

(Michael's Blog is at http://artistsvoice.wordpress.com/ if you would like to read more.)

update:
Here's a video of the group Landscape painting exhibit I am in through November 21 at the Newberry Gallery, Santa Monica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUIpNYSfI1k

"The High Horizon" featured artist Exhibit extended to November 23rd, Chosen for Critics Best Bets Calendar 11/15

From the Sunday San Ramon Valley Times Critics Best Bets Calendar ,November 15th.
October Canyon, painted on South Gate Road, Mount Diablo 21 x 14

“The High Horizon” featured Artist Exhibit at FastFrame Lafayette

Reception Sunday October 4^th 12 to 4

Exhibit Now extended to November 23rd

3571 Mount Diablo Blvd

Here's the press release for the event. I hope you can come!

FastFrame of Lafayette welcomes the landscapes of Robin Purcell during the month of October. Robin’s one person exhibit of watercolors is inspired by her past decade of living in the foothills of the East Bay. “Driving around Danville, I am constantly looking at

Mount Diablo and the open ridges that surround me. The colors shapes and light are always changing and give me something new to paint. I am lucky to live in a town where the open spaces are valued and protected.” Robin said.

By concentrating on the subject of the “High Horizon” Robin has gained recognition from noted art experts such as Kevin MacPherson, Jean Stern and Michael Zakian and has earned Signature Member status in the National and California Watercolor Associations as well as admission to the historically significant California Art Club as an Artist Member.

“ Anthony Ruiz has supported many local artists with his willingness to give us an exhibit space in the heart of downtown Lafayette and his excellent skills as a craftsman with his custom framing.” Continued Purcell, “ Going to Fast Frame to pick up an order is a pleasure as I enjoy the collaboration of working with Anthony and Tony, they really care about what they do. And my paintings aren’t finished until they are properly presented.”

“I am happy to help give exposure to local artists. There is more talent here in the East Bay than most people are aware of. I hope you stop by to see the paintings and many framing options offered.” Stated Anthony Ruiz, Owner of FastFrame Lafayette.