Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Painting Of A Flower Angel




With all the chaos going on in the world, it was nice to lose myself in this painting of a flower angel. This delightfully unusual commission was an enjoyable challenge not only because of its size, 36 x 48", but also because I wanted to successfully depict in this painting a visual representation of what my client likes: irises and angels. And whimsy.
 
 
Flower Angel
36x48", acrylic on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2013
Stage 1: Painting the background. This abstract background set the stage for the flower. Using a large brush I intentionally added drama by darkening the edges while using the colors (purples, greens and golds with lots of white) my client specifically requested.
Stage 2: Lightly painting in the lines of the angel, freehand. Using two previously drawn rough sketches that my client and her husband had approved, I combined what they liked from each drawing and created the beginning of the flower angel.


Stage 3: Painting in the image of the flower and angel.
Stage 4: Before adding the final details on the flower and angel, I had a private little painting party where I threw and dripped paint in reckless abandon. Not really. It was all quite intentional, but the splatters were a bit of a challenge to control. I like throwing paint.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Snowmass Lake Backpacking Trip

It has been two years since my first backpacking experience into the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness area. It was time to go again. In my backpack I carried our tent, extra clothing, my paint box, brushes, acrylic paints, water and then some "essentials": hot cocoa mix, graham crackers, marshmallows and dark chocolate. All together it was about 27 pounds. My husband, Robert, carried about twice that weight.
During the second half of the journey, there was a scary log jam to cross. It seemed harmless enough but as I picked my way across, the thought of slipping, falling and hurting myself crossed my mind many times. Getting wet was the least of my fears. Some of the logs held steady, others moved and dipped under my weight. My trekking poles came in very handy. Plant and step. I can live happily the rest of my life if I never have to cross another log jam - though I am quite pleased with myself that I did it. Twice. Coming and going. 
My reward was at the other side, a breathtaking path through wildflowers. I love Colorado!

After 6 1/2 hours of climbing over 3,000 feet, (with several breaks along the way), we arrived at the lake. 

Besides taking tons of reference photos my other goal was to paint a color study. (The next day while Robert fished, I painted.)  Snowmass Mountain loomed over our campground, so surreal in its majesty, it could not be ignored. I will use this study as a reference when I paint a larger, more accurate version.