Progress on "Desert Hill"

Desert Hill 14 x 14

Here's where I am after a couple of days painting and staring. It's probably 95 % of the way done, the last 5 % is a lot of staring , moving around the house etc. to evaluate values and warm /cool contrast. In the hill paintings how far colors advance and recede is important to create distance.



Here's a few of the evaluation and  finishing techniques I use:


Upside down, this removes the reality of the subject and helps me look more objectively at the shapes, colors and values.

Black and white. This is a quieter painting  for me with  muted taupes and palest sage greens and  lightest blue grays, but are the values too close?

Desert Hill black and white

Generally I let paintings sit a week or two at this stage just to give myself some time for objectivity. This is why it helps to have more than one going at once.
If you scroll down one entry ,you can see the earlier stage of this painting.

In Process " Desert Hill " Study

Desert Hill Study, not done yet ,on my easel this Friday.

"Arche at Point Lobos" selected for 4th Annual Signature American Watercolor Exhibition in Fallbrook

"Arche at Point Lobos" 13 x 18

I am pleased to announce that "Arche at Point Lobos" has been selected by juror, Cheng-Khee Chee, AWS, D.F., NWS, for the 2013 Signature American Watercolor Exhibition at the Fallbrook Art Center.

Opens: Feb 3, 2012 
 Closes: Mar 17, 2012 

Here is a link to the exhibit page for more information:

fallbrookartcenter.org/

Curve of the Earth Selected as a semifinalist in the Second Annual Plein Air Salon Contest.

Juror's Comments

Robin Purcell
HONORABLE MENTION
21 x 16, Watercolor, "Curve of the Earth"

"The imaginative use of a pattern of colors to render forms within the landscape is stimulating and boldly creative."
- Michael Zakian

Needless to say,THRILLED.
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Peppperdine  University in Malibu is one of my favorite Museums .

Here's the link to all the winners from September/October  http://pleinairsalon.com/RecentAwards.aspx

Path to MCWA ...fond memories of Paintings and Jurors past

Eight years and six paintings later, I am still thrilled with the hills of northern California.  

For my own  pleasure and review here are the paintings and jurors who made my up MCWA Signature Exhibitions.

 I blogged earlier about getting the CWA national exhibit bug after the early award from Charles Reid.  

But I don't want to forget the other five extraordinary artists who lent their talents to jurying these exhibits and including my paintings.

 It takes a special generosity to take the time and risk the disappointments of those not accepted.

I recently started jurying art exhibits and it was truly challenging.

 I think having a love for the landscape, especially Mount Diablo and the East Bay Hills led to the success of these paintings in exhibitions and with finding homes with collectors who love these hills as well. 

Here is a link to the California Watercolor Association  Master Signature Members http://www.californiawatercolor.org/signaturemembers.php

  2012 Juror Mike Bailey

Flag Hill Sunol 

 

2010 Juror - Christopher Schink

Curve of the Earth

 2009 Juror - John Salminen

 

Valley Vertigo  

 

2007 Signature Membership Earned Juror Carla O Connor

Day Of Emeralds

2006 Jerry Little Award

Juror of Selection - Mel Stabin

Juror of Awards - Christopher Schink

Robin Purcell
Danville, CA
Mt. Diablo Spring Morning
15 x 20

2004 Jade Fon Award Charles Reid Juror

Robin Purcell
Danville, CA
View From The South Gate 23 x 31

California Landscapes 2013 Calender

Sadly ,Zazzle.com is having problems getting payments out to it's associates, I am not getting payed correctly Zazzle is  incorrectly holding back approximately 40% of what they owe me , I will update you to let you know if they resolve this in a timely fashion but for now I would have to say steer clear! I will look for an alternate source for calendars next year.