Flower Paintings

Large scale acrylic and oil paintings on canvas.

This body of work call "my flower paintings". I started this group in the early 1990's as a study in perspective. I had just moved to Florida from the Washington DC area. My subject and concepts were getting more obscure and images were looking too 'flat'...I wanted more dimension in my images. I was actively seeking ways to sell my art and show. Although I was unaware at the time, my style was showing improvement and my various techniques were changing.

The painting techniques I now employ really stem from my college days at V.C.U. (VA. Commonwealth Univ) and with studies from a favorite teacher, Prof. (Bernard, I think) Martin- Advanced painting Class. Very talented artist,under appreciated. Awesome teacher. He taught me about color and a more sophisticated  way to use it. He showed me the difference between painting and drawing...I was 'drawing with the paint' instead of 'painting' with the paint. He literally used to paint on his student's canvases to demonstrate a point or technique...turned out to be an excellent way to teach me. I still utilize his teachings now...I was always attracted to layering of transparent color even before college and incorporated these ideas along with what Prof Martin referred to as a sort of subconscious Optical Blending. The theory attached to this process, is that by using pure colors, (i.e. Cadmium red medium), with simple molecular structures, that this may be easier for the spectator to look at and mentally process...interesting that infants are attracted to these colors too.. There seems to be something to it although Id have to say I've never seen an essay written yet. My personal discovery is that the paintings that I create using this technique (painting the opposite/secondary color as the "under painting") seem to look more vibrant years later and seem to sell more quickly.

Interesting enough, when I first started this 'study' of perspective I was really looking at shapes, perspective and shading and not really color as much...this was only a study. a man I met at Starving Artist Gallery in Sarasota suggested that I consider a simple topic like 'landscapes, portraits, flowers'...I chose flowers as my new subject. This was the subject I had the most interest in so I started. After the first paintings were complete I decided to show them to the man that recommended these to study...lo and behold, my timing was great and as I arrived with my paintings,one of Michael's (Starving Artist Gallery) customers was very interested and purchased both (Star Jasmine and White Bird of Paradise) and then later commissioned me to do several others.

I took out my 35mm Canon AE1 and lenses and started taking pictures. (haha) In those days we didn't have digital and developing film could become costly very fast. I know I'm dating myself...however...these photos were used to draw the subject and render my flower paintings...Soon I was creating close up paintings of the flowers. This was the beginning of what then was what I also referred to as my "commercial work" and soon afforded me time to completely focus on creating art and painting. I was selling as an artist but did not appreciated the subject so I mostly rejected these works as 'real art' mostly because in my mind there was no 'concept' associated withese works and therefore I did not consider them important...At this time I wasjust beginning to introduce myself as an 'artist'. This mind set fueled a passion to create  and continue my original 'thesis' (what I refer to as my 'heart and soul work' or my Fine Art))

Most of the original paintings are sold but commissions are available. Many images are available in various sizes ashigh quality giclee reproductions on canvas or paper. Many older pieces were sold before digitally captured so they are simply 'one of a kind' paintings. Enjoy!