HAND LABYRINTH

 

Here's another labyrinth.  I didn't post it when I finished it...a couple of months ago.  I'm not sure why...I think it was just oversight.  I like it and it was fun to do.  I was trying to fit the labyrinth idea into a hand held up in greeting or maybe in peace.  In fact, I kind of pair this one with the peace labyrinth.  

PEACE LABYRINTH

 

This is my latest labyrinth....a plea for peace.  I got the image from pinterest, but modified it with the peace sign in the middle.  

I am always intrigued by the labyrinth patterns...there are so many and yet they all have one thing in common:  a path to the center (although it may not be direct), a place to rest in the center, and a path out.  

I usually make them more colorful, but the blue and white seemed to be the best fit for this idea.

End of Day West Coast

This is a special memory kind of painting.  It is of Louisa and Peter walking along the coast near Fort Bragg, California (Northern California).  We were there for the wedding of Jenifer and Erik--so it was a time to cherish and be together and create some memories.  We spent several days there, so it was more than just participating in the wedding.  In addition the wedding and the time on the beach, we got to hike in the forest and meet some of the locals.  The painting will be in an upcoming show at Frame of Mine here in DC.  The show's theme is Seashore.  I think it fits right in.  Reception is August 24 1-3 pm.

TY Catherine

I recently had a visit from Catherine Rondthaler.  We had a nice dinner at my house with Louisa and Peter.   Catherine brought these beautiful sunflowers.  What a nice surprise.

We got to go to a the Renwick Gallery--always a big treat.  She also got to spend some time in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and some other adventures.  A real treat to spend some time with her, and the sunflowers were worthy of a thank-you card.

Catherine was on her way to a memorial service in Woods Hole Massachusetts for her uncle and my brother-in-law George Woodwell.  I wasn't able to make it to Woods Hole, but I did get to see the service on-line and it was beautifully done, with a balance between his professional and family life.  His professional life was as an environmental scientist and he was the founder of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, later named Woodwell Climate Research Center.  He also was a wonderful family man.  We are both honored to be related to him.

Multnomah Falls

 

This is the second painting in my sketchbook of handmade papers, and is another favorite place of mine.  It is Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.  It's a spectacular place.

Another reason I love it is because it has the imprint of Howard, who laid out the trail to the bridge...and beyond.  He also oversaw modifications on the lower part of the trail for wheelchair accessiblity.  What an acheivement!   And many good memories for me.

Bodega Head

 

I have painted this scene many times...from photographs.  It is on the Northern California coast and was one of my favorite places growing up.  Just beautiful...and usually not crowded.

This particular painting was a big challenge.  It is the first painting in the hard bound book I was recently given that has hand-made paper pages.  I think I will have to focus on loose landscapes in this book.  My plan now is to paint places that I love.

Me as a Papoose

 

This was quite a challenge!   I received a bound book of handmade paper--it is inspiring and also a little intimidating.  I decided to practice first on some loose handmade paper that I have.  My idea of the book was to make paintings that would capture different places and people in my life.  I am not sure I can do that, but my first test effort was to make this painting of my mother with me in a Native American cradelboard for carrying babies, or "papooses."  My dad's Aunt Duckie had a whole collection of baskets and this was one of them.  That pose was fun for the whole family and I am glad I have the picture.  Painting people on the handmade paper is hard, though!

I took this first one to my critique group and the suggestion was to do another one, using gesso on the paper to give it a better surface before applying the watercolor paint.   I decided to try the same photo and this is the result:

Both versions are interesting.  I didn't even finish the second one because I meant for them to be tests.  I think the color of the original is better in the first version, but the picture I took is not good.  I can't take another as I gave that one to Jenifer, who was visiting from Tennessee.  It went home with her.

It was a fun experiment, but the bound book is probably going to feature landscapes.  I love doing them on handmade paper.