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

Finally Accepted

Recently, I received notice that my painting, “Peony Perfection”, was selected for inclusion in International Watermedia 2013, which is the open, juried biennial exhibition of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society.  "Legacy" is the theme of the 2013 exhibition, which will be held at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, June 7 through September 7, 2013.  It will open with an Awards Reception on Friday June 7 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

“Peony Perfection”, Watercolor, 10.75 x 14 ©Johanna Cellucci

Although this painting had been shown in local juried shows, this is the first time it has been accepted in a major exhibition.  I had submitted my three most recent works and, to my surprise, this one was chosen by our juror, Linda Baker.

Always painting wet-in-wet, I wanted to challenge myself by not pre-wetting the paper, but working the numerous petals, with all of its shadows, by simply glazing one color over another without the use of frisket to preserve the light.  I used multiple layers of yellow, pink, red and magenta, and feel I have succeeded in capturing this flower’s beauty and depth.