a Painting Start

Rosedon Kalanchoe Tree 2 - it's a start.

Dead Tree, New Growth

I was entranced by these fungus growths on some bark yesterday.  Anything growing in January in the northeast is curious to me.  Then my husband pointed out that the tree they are growing on is dead.

Loving that contrast between dead tree and new growth!

Shoots in January

I often see inspiring things on my morning walk with our dog.  but in January there's not much growing and it's gray and cold here in Nyack, NY.  It's been in the 30 degree range for about a month now.  there's still ice on the ground from the last snow storm.

Yesterday I spied these shoots coming up.  What? 

I'm drawn to the contrast of the grey-brown rough dirt, with the smooth green live shoots coming up!

Rosedon Kalanchoe 2, 2013, watercolor study

I seem to be drawn to complex forms as well as contrasts.  I nearly gave up on this piece as the plant form is almost overwhelming.  The whorls holding the leaf are one element, and then there are other leaves crisscrossing the the background coming from other branches.  It's hard to tell what's going on!  In spite of abstracting the background I made progress only when I  analyzed what direction the leaves were growing in using several photographs to understand them.   I also had to simplify by minimizing the complicated shadows and by establishing the dark to light sequencing from the bottom to the top of the painting.

I'm looking forward to continuing to analyze them and develop the image in oils on a larger scale.   Starting today.