Southern Colorado Watercolor Society Aquarius State Exhibition 2020 Acceptance

Pleased to have my painting, “Pond Lily,” included in the Southern Colorado Watercolor Society Aquarius State Exhibition 2020.  The exhibition will hang from January 5 through February 26, 2020, at Pikes Peak Library District, Library 21c, located at 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

Pond Lily, 10 x 10, Watercolor ©J. Cellucci

PPWS International Watermedia 2019 Acceptance

My sincere thanks to juror, Martha Mans, AWS, for selecting my painting, “Pond Lily,” for inclusion in International Watermedia 2019, which is the biennial open, juried exhibition of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society.  The exhibition of 100 works will hang from June 4 through July 30, 2019, at Pikes Peak Library District, Library 21c, located at 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.  There will be an Opening Reception and Awards Presentation on Thursday, June 13, starting at 5:00 PM.  Awards will be presented at approximately 6:00 PM.

Pond Lily, 10 x 10, Watercolor ©J. Cellucci

Early Crocus

After not painting for a long while, I decided to do a small watercolor of crocus flowers.  Also wanted to try a sample card of Daniel Smith paints.  Lavender and Lilac were the perfect colors for this and, even though they do contain white, they layered pretty well.  It confirmed that I can still paint, even when put off for such long periods of time!

"Early Crocus" 6"x6" Watercolor ©Johanna Cellucci

PPWS 2018 Members' Show

The Pikes Peak Watercolor Society will be holding a Members’ Show of "miniature" works at the Plaza of the Rockies from March 2 to April 2, 2018.  The venue is a premier downtown office building at 111 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.  They host various exhibitions every month and are very accessible to the public.

I will have two of my 6" x 6" florals in the show.  There will be a First Friday Art Opening, March 2, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

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

Easter Lily, 6” x 6” watercolor, ©Johanna Cellucci

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