FREE Flapjacks: Come and Get ‘em!

Denver Arts Week is November 6 – 14, 2009!  Lots of different events are planned, all kicking off with First Friday in Denver’s art districts.  This year’s theme is “Know Your Arts”.  So, I invite all of you to get to know MY art… with a FREE “flapjack” mini-painting!

What’s a “flapjack” and how can you get one?  Well, while creating some mini-sized paintings in my studio recently, I noticed that my stack of finished art looked like a stack of flapjacks – just the right size at 4 x 4 inches.  So, for my First Friday Open Studio (November 6th, 5-9pm), I’ll be painting flapjack art “to order” for my studio visitors (while “batter” supplies last).  So, come by my studio, pick a color or two and I’ll paint you a free flapjack… what a great way to get to know my art!  Click here for directions to my studio.

And for those of you not able to make it to my studio, I have 10 flapjacks ready to mail out to 10 lucky folks.  Just leave me a comment on this post by the end of Arts Week (November 14th).  On November 15th, I’ll RANDOMLY draw 10 winners from everyone that left a comment, and then contact each to get them mailed out (so be sure to enter your email address).  Here’s what one of my Facebook Fans had to say about my flapjacks:

“Flapjacks…what’s not to love? They’ve got fabulous texture, incredible color & awesome composition, the perfect piece of affordable art for your abstract art fans!” — Candy in California

I’ll also be selling additional flapjack original paintings for $20 each (or 3 for $50).  These are perfect for a mini-sized frame or I can also mount them on canvas for you for an additional $20 (my regular price for these mini paintings is $65!).

 

Framed Tall Trees: Just Autumn

One of my Tall Tree Fine Art Prints framed.  This is just the Autumn trees, hand-embellished with my metallic watercolor paints.  I usually don’t use double mats, especially with a color, but think this looks really sharp with that bit of color!

I rarely use colored/double mats... but this looks sharp!

Tall Autumn Trees Fine Art Print (about 40 x 20 inches framed size; $390 as framed with hand-embellished metallic highlights).

 

“Autumn No. 3″ is Going to the International Watermedia XVI Exhibit!

Today I received my acceptance letter from the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society that Juror Tom Owens has selected my “Autumn No. 3″ painting for the International Watermedia XVI Exhibit!  I’m thrilled!  But, also in my mailbox was a rejection for the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition (I’m sad).

I have rather mixed feelings about “Autumn No. 3″… I’m actually a bit intimidated by it.  The precision of my elemental shapes and the razor-thin lines I achieved is truly amazing (if I say so myself).  I have it hanging high on one of my studio walls partly so that I don’t inspect too closely… because when I do, I instantly have a feeling that I couldn’t paint with that precision again.

Perhaps getting it down for this exhibit will inspire some precision elementals painting – we’ll see!

Autumn No. 3, watercolor on paper, 22 x 30 inches.

 

Postpainting Depression…

I finished a new tall spring trees painting today… and immediately slumped into a postpainting depression.  This actually happens to me often after I finish a large painting or one that I’ve been working on for awhile.  In this case, both apply since I’ve been working on this painting for over a month now… on the bright side, it will be framed and delivered to Rue 32 Gallery in northwest Denver next week!

Does this happen to other artists out there??

Since summer has arrived here in Denver, perhaps I’ll go sit outside and soak up some sunshine while I eat lunch to perk me up.

"More Spring Trees", watercolor, 46 x 15 inches.

 

Denver Public Library Adds My Painting “Denver Art Museum, Sky, Library” to Their Permanent Collection

I’m excited to announce that the Denver Public Library has acquired my painting “Denver Art Museum, Sky, Library” for their permanent Western History collection!

You may remember that I created this painting in 2007 for the first High Plein Air Arts painting event in Denver’s Golden Triangle Museum District.  At the time, my painting was juried into the exhibit at the Central Library where DPL staff first expressed interest in acquiring it.

So, they’ve now added it to their permament collection and, after cataloging, will use it for special exhibits at the Central Library at 13th/Broadway in Denver.  I had a great time working with Jim Kroll, Manager of DPL’s Western History/Genealogy Department, and here’s what he had to say:

“David’s watercolor joins several other images of the Central Library included in the Western History collection.  As a regional artist, the Library is pleased to add his creation to a collection that consists of over fourteen hundred original paintings and three-dimensional depictions of the West.  Several framed pieces and sculpture can be seen on the fifth level of the Central Library.” — Jim Kroll, Manager of Western History/Genealogy Department at Denver Public Library

 

"Denver Art Museum, Sky, Library", watercolor on paper (canvas-mounted), 24 x 26 inches.Delivering my painting to Jim Kroll, DPL's Manager of Western History/Genealogy Department.

Delivering my painting to Jim Kroll, DPL's Manager of Western History/Genealogy Department

 

Last Spring Special: “Impossible” Watercolor on Black Paper

Finally, here is one of my brand-new, “impossible” watercolor paintings on black fine art paper.  Of course I was clever and used my favorite Daniel Smith iridescent and metallic watercolor paints, so they really POP on the black paper!

Not-Yet-Titled watercolor on black fine art paper, mounted on extra-deep stretched canvas. 12 x 12 inches, special Spring price of $225 (regularly, $300).

 

Trio of Spring Paintings + Special Prices!

Continuing my parade of Spring-colored new paintings, here are three – a perfect trio!  Email me to purchase, or come by to see them in person tonight at my First Friday Open Studio (5 -8pm).

Trio of Spring paintings, watercolors mounted on canvas, each is 12 x 12 inches. Special Spring price of $225 each (regularly $300 each).

 

New Spring Art + Special Price: “Tulip Stand”

I’ve been inspired by Spring lately and have created several new paintings with bright, Spring colors.  This is the first of 5 paintings which will have special prices through the last day of Spring.  Look for me to post the remaining 4 Spring paintings in the next few days right here on my blog!

A note about the title of this painting, “Tulip Stand”… I had to actually look up “stand” to see if it can be used for a group of growing tulips as well as trees (as in “a stand of aspen trees”).  According to dictionary.com, it can’t.  But, I’m calling it “Tulip Stand” anyway.

"Tulip Stand", watercolor mounted on canvas, diptych - overall size is 12 x 24 inches (each panel is 12 x 12"). Special price = $450 (regularly $600).

"Tulip Stand", mounted on extra-deep, 2.5" stretched canvas. The tulips are a vivid pink and the grass includes some great metallic highlights.

 

And “They” Said it Couldn’t Be Done… Watercolor on Black Paper

It’s not a secret that I love making up my own rules for my watercolor paintings and that I’m often operating far from tradition.  I’ve been thinking about the metallic and iridescent watercolor paints that I love so much (I almost exclusively use Daniel Smith watercolors), and how I could get some of them to pop.  Like electrically pop.

I decided that black watercolor paper would do it… too bad no one seems to make black watercolor paper (at least that I could find online).  So, I went to my local art store (Meininger) and asked for help:  “Doesn’t exist”, “Can’t be done”, “Paint with watercolor on black paper?  You won’t see the paint!”.  Good thing I wouldn’t take no for an answer (although after having explained that metallic and some opaque watercolors would certainly be visible on black, I had to accept a blank stare for an answer).

I finally decided to try some black Somerset printmaking paper – it felt too lightweight and wasn’t nearly as smooth as my usual hot-press Fabriano watercolor paper, but couldn’t find any other fine art paper to try.

What do you think of this mini that I created today?

Untitled, watercolor on black printmaking paper, 6 x 6 inches framed, $95

 

First Friday Open Studio: 5-8pm

Tonight is First Friday in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe and I’ll be in my studio painting between 5-8pm.  Hope you’ll come by to visit and then check out the more than 50 galleries and studios within a few block radius of my studio!

I'll be finishing this commission painting tonight.

 

And the “Winner” is… Autumn!

Thanks to everyone that voted for your favorite…. the clear winner is “Autumn Trees”, so I framed it this morning (hanging in the middle of the snapshot below).

If you’re in Denver, be sure to stop by my Open Studio tonight for First Friday in the Art District on Santa Fe.  I’ll be in my studio from 5-8pm.  Visit my website for directions and a map.

"Tall Autumn Trees", watercolor, 56 x 24 inches (framed).

 

Four Seasons of Trees – Fine Art Reproductions Available!

Wow!  I can’t believe how close the voting is on which of my new seasonal trees paintings is the favorite.  I plan to frame the original painting that is voted the favorite by my blog visitors on Friday for my monthly First Friday Open Studio.  But, I need a clear winner, so please vote if you haven’t!  I’ll check the results on Friday morning before I leave for my studio and, if you’re in Denver, you’ll be able to see the winner framed in my studio Friday (I’ll be open 5 – 8pm).

I’ve also created a new fine art reproduction of all four seasons together – contact me to order yours!  Each individual season is also available in a variety of sizes as is metallic watercolor hand-embellishments and framing. 

Four Seasons of Trees.

Small size framed to 22 x 28" ($225).

Small (14 x 20″ image): $95
Medium (24 x 30″ image): $300
Large (36 x 46″ image): $500

 

Summer Trees: Catalpa, Oak and Elm

Here’s my finished summer trees elemental painting back from the photographer.  I’ll be creating a fine art reproduction print of all four seasonal trees and will post that soon!

Summer Trees: Catalpa, Oak and Elm, watercolor, 46 x 15 inches.

 

Summer Trees: Catalpa, Oak and Elm

Here’s a snapshot of the nearly-complete Summer trees painting… turns out it wasn’t so awful after all.  I actually really got into my greens – who would have thought?  Now it’s off to the photographer…

Summer trees painting, watercolor, about 46 x 15"... nearly done!

 

Detail of the Catalpa tree (complete with bright green seed pods)... we have two in the front of our house.

 

Autumn, Winter and Spring Completed… Too Bad I Hate Summer

Well, I don’t HATE summer, but it is my least favorite season and I’m expecting it to be the most challenging painting of my four seasons trees series.

I have Autumn, Winter and Spring all complete and had them in my studio this morning for a client meeting.  I’m pleased to say that my project to create several large-format giclee reproductions from my four seasons originals is officially a “GO”!  I’ll be creating two multi-panel pieces, each with an overall size of about 50 x 70 inches.  I’ll hand-embellish them with my metallic watercolors to highlight individual elemental squares.  The installation site is the new Lincoln Medical Center lobby just south of the Denver Tech Center.

I also started “Summer” today only to discover that I’m actually nervous about it.  Will I capture summer as an explosion of growth, green and ice cream, or will “hot, dry and miserable” (which is how I feel about it) creep in??

Autumn, Winter and Spring completed from my Four Seasons series, all watercolor, each image approximately 48 x 15 inches.

 

Painting In Progress: Tall Spring

I’m well into my Spring painting (part of my tall four seasons) – I’m really loving the tall, narrow format of these paintings!  Here’s an in-progress snapshot from last Friday.  I chose to include a vivid pink tree in the bunch since my neighbor has an eastern red bud that has grown over the fence and around my home office window – it provides quite a show in spring!

In Progress: Tall Spring, watercolor, 48 x 15 inches.

 

New Elemental Trees Series – Autumn and Winter

I’m working on a new series of my elemental trees – this time, a complete four seasons series of originals.  I started “Autumn” several weeks before Christmas and now have it and “Winter” completed.  “Spring” is in the works and I’ll post more snapshots of it in progress this week.

"Tall Autumn", watercolor, 48 x 15 inches.

In Progress: "Tall Winter", watercolor, 48 x 15 inches.

 

New 12 x 12 Black and White Elemental

Last week I took a “break” and did some black and white paintings… here’s one of ‘em.

Untitled black and white elemental, watercolor (canvas-mounted), 12 x 12 inches.

 

New Bough House Painting to Benefit the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center

I’ve created another special painting for this year’s Bough House charity event that benefits the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center.  I’m thrilled to be supporting a great organization that does such wonderful work!  This event raises funds for the abused and neglected children served by the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center and provides a unique opportunity for Colorado art enthusiasts to celebrate the holiday season while helping abused and neglected children.

Come bid on my painting (my vision of a modern holiday tree) at the event finale on Wednesday, December 10 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Denver Design District Atrium, 595 South Broadway in Denver.

Visit the Bough House website and blog for details on the event.  Suggested $20 donation at the door - no need to RSVP, everyone is welcome!

Star and Bough, watercolor on paper (canvas-mounted), 24 x 16 inches.

 

New Painting: Election Day, 2008

Here’s a snapshot of the painting I started on Election Day, 2008 (and finished the next day).  I was feeling alot more bright and hopeful than I was on Election Day, 2004 when I painted “Blood and Red Ink”.

Election Day 2008 - Hope and the Oppressors, watercolor, 20 x 20 inches.