Neon Water Lilies

Neon Water Lilies

The Heritage Museum and Gardens on Cape Cod was the inspiration for this water lily painting.   Our day trip was planned after seeing hearing about an ongoing scientific study of 200 varieties of hydrangeas.   The hydrandeas were very nice but it was the lily pond that grabbed my attention.  When I saw the watery blossoms and reflections, I thought it is no wonder that Monet was so fascinated with pond lilies that he painted dozens of versions of them over his lifetime.  The neon colors reflected by water ripples were simply mesmerizing!

Arnold Arboretum 2012

Enjoying the Arboretum 2012

Reception for "Looking Closely" Arboretum Exhibit

Each autumn, the Arnold Arboretum hosts an art contest and exhibit which consists of artworks that embrace the beauty and spirit of nature.   In 2012, the name of the exhibit was "Looking Closely."   The exhibit kicked off on Wednesday, September 19 with a reception at the Hunnewell Building.   Selected paintings and their creators and friends gathered to enjoy refreshments and take in the show.

The show runs from September 19 through November 18, 2012.



Arboretum Paint Out - Hunnewell Building

If you have never been to Arnold Arboretum, it is well worth the trip, especially if you enjoy identifying trees.   Occupying 265 acres, the Arboretum’s living collection of trees, shrubs, and woody vines is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and best documented of its kind in the world. The living collection is supported by comprehensive curatorial documentation, herbaria containing more than 1.3 million specimens, extensive library and archival holdings, and a 43,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research center. These facilities and holdings, along with 75 full-time staff, provide the basis for research and education by Harvard faculty and students, Arboretum scholars, and visiting scientists from around the world. Investigations focus on examining plant diversity from genomic, developmental, organismic, evolutionary, and ecosystem perspectives.  As if an art show wasn't enough!

Hunnewell Building at Arboretum

I arrived at the Arboretum later in the afternoon on the day of the reception.  The September shadows were creeping long across the green stretches.    I set up facing northwest looking at the Hunnewell Building, the location of the art show.  The shadows on the brick looked more warm than blue, so that was the scheme I commit to.  Cognitively I knew the brick was red.   What color was it to my eye though?   I made a peephole viewer with my hand and decided it was a cool pink color (permanent rose, terra rosa, white), and it was brighter and lighter in some places (a dash of lemon yellow added to cool pink) where it was directly illuminated by the late afternoon sun.  I'm not crazy about this one, maybe because there is nothing interesting going on.   Perhaps I'll add some people playing on the lawn at some point.   For now, here it is.



Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world’s leading centers for the study of plant biodiversity.  Established in 1872 and planned and designed in collaboration with Frederick Law Olmsted, the Arnold Arboretum is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best preserved of Olmsted’s landscapes. Founded as a public-private partnership between the City of Boston and Harvard University, the Arnold Arboretum is both a respected research institution and a beloved public park in Boston’s Emerald Necklace.
Occupying 265 acres, the Arboretum’s living collection of trees, shrubs, and woody vines is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and best documented of its kind in the world.  Use this link to check out their website.

http://arboretum.harvard.edu/

Lilac Sunday at the Arboretum 2011

Each summer in collaboration with Jamaica Plain Open Studios, the Arboretum hosts a juried group exhibition devoted to art inspired by plants, the landscape and the Arboretum collections.   Last year I my painting Lilac Sunday at the Arboretum was included in the exhibition.

Enjoying Arnold Arboretum 2012

We love walking through the Arboretum and make a point of trying to make it to Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum each Spring.   This year was no exception and although I did not have my painting gear with me, I did take many photographs including one that was used to develop this year's Arboretum painting.

In this scene, I was at the top of a hill looking down into one of the main walking intersections.  Under the tent was information about Arnold Arboretum Memberships.  I was attracted to all the different groups of people and the ways they were enjoying the Arboretum.  I used a 24 X 20 inch canvas.   It was a challenge to paint from a vantage above, and in fact looking down into the top of the closest tree.  The other challenge was to capture the myriad of different kinds of trees, some with Spring blossoms.  The things in the distance are lighter, bluer and fuzzier.  I came in at the end and really carved in some edges toward the front.  What is the center of interest as you look at it?

This is my submission for 2012.  I'll let you know if it is chosen to be included in this year's show.