Aspen Tree Paintings

I have never thought of my self as an aspen tree type of artist until I took my palette knife out. And then it was a completely different story. A palette knife freed me from so many inborn tendencies to make straight lines and consistent edges with aspens. I also had fun with color and texture.

Vanguard
10x10", Acrylic on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c)2014

. Here is a step by step example of how I painted my second one.

Stage 1: Preparing the canvas. Tinting the canvas with a neutral color of ultramarine blue mixed with burnt umber toned down the bright white surface and enabled me to see my colors more realistically.

Once the canvas was completely tinted and dry I was ready to begin.

Stage 2: The underpainting. With this first layer I composed the background with three different shades of blues and purples. I worked quickly to blend since acrylic dries fairly fast even with a paint medium mixed in.

Stage 3: Painting in the trees. I chose ultramarine blue to lightly paint in the shapes of the aspens.

...And then I added a layer of white.

Stage 4: Using the palette knife. Once I had the underpainting of the trees in place it was time to apply the rest of the paint with a palette knife. The very nature of aspen trees gives me the freedom to interpret them with very few restrictions.

Whisper
8x8", Acrylic on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c)2014

Both of these paintings will be at G44 Gallery's annual Holiday Show, November 21-December 24. There will be forty-four artists represented. All work is for sale. If you are in the area I hope you can stop by.

Upcoming Solo Exhibition: North Yorkshire England

When most people here in the States think of England they think of London. When I think of England, I think of  rich, green rolling hills, sheep grazing in the pastures, the River Nidd, and miles of idyllic walking paths leading to quaint, picturesque villages. My love for North Yorkshire England and its timeless beauty was the inspiration for my first series of landscape paintings.

 And now, this series is framed and ready to exhibit!

It is my pleasure to invite you to G44 Gallery, 1785 S. 8th Street, Ste A, here in Colorado Springs for the opening reception and solo exhibition of this new series. Please join me if you can, Friday, August 9, 6 - 9 p.m. The show runs through October 10th.