Blushing Peony

Took a picture of this flower at a newly discovered nursery early this spring. I believed it to be a peony, so I did some research and discovered that it is an Itoh Peony, a cross between a tree and herbaceous peony. It is describe on the Peony Farm website as "white to pink/lavender petals, almost as if somebody painted it with watercolor." Well, how fitting that I chose to paint it! My photo led me in a different approach to start this small 6x6 inch piece. I first put in the shadows on the petals with "neutral tint," after which I added many light washes of yellow, red and some blue pigment. Here is the result for what I'll call "Blushing Peony."

"Blushing Peony" 6" x 6" Watercolor ©Johanna Cellucci

Peony

Had planted this peony a few years ago and captured a photo of the first bloom last spring.  Wanted to paint it as I like the center on this "Bowl of Beauty" variety. Had started this small 6 x 6 inch painting a few months ago and decided to finish it. Might do another small peony painting just to keep me in the habit of painting.  It took a workshop to get me back, and I don't want to let it drop again. Posting might help toward that end as well.

Peony, 6 x 6 inch, Watercolor ©J. Cellucci

Crystal & Cherries Workshop

Attended Soon Young Warren's "Crystal & Cherries" workshop June 22 - 24, 2017, at Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs, CO. The 24 attendees all worked on the same subject with the drawing and steps provided. I surprised myself in completing this painting in a little more than two weeks and am rather pleased with the results. Learned that this seemingly complex subject can be accomplished by working it overall with glazes of rich color for a stunning effect. I will treasure this piece for the valuable lessons learned and because it contains Soon's masterful strokes as she demonstrated her techniques directly on the painting.

Crystal & Cherries, 15 x 22, Watercolor, J. Cellucci

the result of a workshop with Soon Y. Warren

International Watermedia 2017 Acceptance

My sincere thanks to juror, Soon Y. Warren, AWS, NWS, for selecting my painting, “Green Eggs and Salt,” for inclusion in International Watermedia 2017, which is the biennial open, juried exhibition of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society.  The exhibition of 100 works will hang from June 2 through June 24, 2017, at Cottonwood Center for the Arts located at 427 E. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.  The exhibition will open on a First Friday, June 2, and there will be an Awards Reception on Wednesday, June 21, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Green Eggs and Salt, 10 x 14, Watercolor ©J. Cellucci