by Connie Williams on 6/28/2009 9:31:52 PM
1 Comment
This original watercolor painting is a view of Capitola Wharf on California's Monterey Bay at sunrise. It is painted with the finest artist's quality watercolor pigments on 300 pound Arches cold pressed watercolor paper. The entire pier is painted with Royal Blue, Burnt Sienna, and a touch of Permanent Rose carefully mingled to give character to the weathered wood. It is framed under plexiglass with a lovely Larson-Juhl dark cherry frame. This painting would be a lovely addition to your art collection.
I'm excited to share my latest watercolor painting, Morning on Cannery Row (22 x 30) with you. The source photos were taken in late January 2007 in the sweet light of early morning. How did I happen to be behind Bubba Gump's restaurant photographing Monterey's Cannery Row at sunrise? I'm married to a SCUBA diver who dives early when the water is calm and there is good vis as he calls it. I often tag along with him as far as San Carlos Beach at the breakwater, then enjoy a walk and photo shoot along the beautiful historic waterfront while he is diving. This particular morning, there were decorator clouds, nice little wispy bands that caught the pink sunrise glow just right. The blue-roofed tan concrete buildings of the Monterey Bay Aquarium glowed pink and there were pink cloud reflections in the windows. Magical. The water was glassy calm, typical for a good SCUBA diving day. I wanted to produce a work which did justice to my memory of that tranquil, peaceful morning, so spent two years mentally composing the painting before I felt ready to tackle it. I hope you enjoy the view as much as I did! As always, please comment!
I'm delighted you stopped in to visit my new Fine Art Studio Online website blog. This blog will feature thoughts about current works, painting inspiration, special events, and information for collectors. For artists and those interested in watercolor painting from a more technical perspective, please visit my other blog: Connie Williams Watercolor Meanders at http://cwwatercolors.blogspot.com/ This is where I will post all of the blog entries appearing on this site, as well as other fun items including how-to guides for artists, information about artists I know and whose work I admire, artist's links, workshop summaries, watercolor journal entries, kid's art projects, blogs about travel and art, or whatever else is at the top of my watercolor agenda on any given day. Thanks for stopping by today and thanks in advance for returning here to share the journey. Oh, almost forgot..... I LOVE to hear your comments! Click on Make a Comment below to leave your message. Thanks!
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller
As an artist, I busy myself making pieces of fine art that people will hopefully find visually pleasing, but my real reason for making art is to evoke an emotional response. In a nutshell, that's why I paint. There is nothing more satisfying than to see a person looking through misty eyes at my painting, or to listen to peoples' stories told and relived while viewing a painting, and nothing more rewarding than helping another human being feel something very deeply and experience emotion......to help them truly live.
On this Valentine's Day, I hope you see or touch a lovely piece of fine art that takes you to the next level, thoroughly engages you and makes you feel the deepest heartfelt emotion. It may send you back in time, make you say "Wow!," bring a peaceful calmness to your soul, or shoot a nice tingly sensation across your shoulders from one side to the other. Whatever your reaction, enjoy it and know that it is the artist's gift to you.
On this Valentine's Day, I wish you all the best and most beautiful things........felt with the heart.
Here is the finished painting using the source photo included in my January 30 post. This steadfast Monterey Cypress tree is firmly rooted at the top of a sandstone incline just above Carmel Beach where it has withstood hundreds of Pacific storms, endless salt spray, heat, cold, fog, wind, and occasional removal of very large branches. Along the beach, a couple walks together, supporting each other as they navigate the the uneven sand. One can imagine they have weathered a few storms too. I hope viewing this scene adds a serene moment and maybe even a touch of joy to your day.
Today I delivered "Window on Bodie" to the California Watercolor Association for inclusion in the 40th Annual Exhibition at the Presidio in San Francisco. The show opens on March 18, 2009. I am delighted that my painting was juried into this prestigious show and am looking forward to sharing the experience with family, friends, and all those friends I have yet to meet! Something wonderful and memorable always happens at watercolor exhibitions, so I'm also very curious about what the future has in store. Maybe it will be blogworthy...... Hey, did I just invent a new word?
With this post, I am officially blogging, something a very private person like me thought I would never do, but this is so easy and fun! Maybe I can share a little joy with you, inspire you to try something new, or possibly sell you a giclee, a painting, or arrange for a commission. I am delighted to have you follow along and enjoy the journey!
Ah, the gorgeous cypress tree on Scenic Road near the end of 8th Avenue in Carmel..... This is the source photo for my first painting of 2009 entitled "Steadfast," which is now finished. The painting is a commissioned gift for a special someone who will receive the painting in late spring. I will post a picture next week after it is scanned, so please check back to see the painting!
