Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Viola

Viola

Watercolors

(Arches - Hot Pressed - 140lb)

7x10

2015

Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family.  Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs.  A large number of species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for the ornamental flowers.  In horticulture the term "pansy" is normally used for those multi-coloured, large flowered cultivars.  So you see, although you may have wanted to call this a 'pansy', the terms "viola" and "violet" are normally reserved for small flowered annuals or perennials.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Garlic Clove

Garlic Clove

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

Garlic is a species in the onion family.  Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, and chive.  Garlic is widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment.  

The garlic plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant.  Garlic cloves are used for consumption (raw or cooked) or for medicinal purposes.  They have a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows an ssweetens considerably with cooking.  Some human studies found garlic supplementation to produce small reductions in blood cholesterol.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Snowdrop Flower

Snowdrop Flower

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

The Snow Drop flower is formally known as Galanthus, Greek for milk flower.  These are perennials which grow from bulbs.  Each bulb generally produces just two or three linear leaves and an erect, leafless flowering stalk.  They flower between January and April in the northern temperatures.  There are a number of gorgeous Snow Drop gardens in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.  The short story "The Snowdrop" by Hans Christian Andersen follows the fate of a snowdrop from a bulb striving towards the light to a picked flower placed in a book of poetry.   

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - White Cosmos Flower

White Cosmos Flower

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

7x10

2015

The Cosmos is a flowering plant in the sunflower family.  Spanish priests grew Cosmos in their mission gardens in Mexico.  The evenly placed petals led them to christen the flower "Cosmos" the Greek word for harmony or ordered universe.  Cosmos, like many of our warm weather annuals such as marigolds, originated in Mexico and South America.  

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Basil Leaf

Basil Leaf

Watercolors

(on Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2015

The word 'basil' comes from the Greek meaning "king".  Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes.  In general, it is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destorys the flavor.  The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for alonger period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.  The dried herb loses most of it flavor, and what little fllavor remains tastes very different. 

(I painted this as part of a tutorial with Anna Mason from Watercolours With WOW).

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Calla Lily

Calla Lily

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x 14

2015

The Calla Lily is a most beautiful flower coming in many colors - whites, rich yellows, and yes, deep burgundy!  Native to South Africa where rainfall and temperatures are adequate.  It's preferable habitat is in streams and ponds or on the banks.  It is the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena, where it grows widely.  Much to my surprise, it has become an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926 to commemorate the fallen of Easter 1916 and onwards.  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Vase full of Flowers

Vase Full of Flowers

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2015

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Red Rose

Red Rose

Watercolor

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14

2015

A rose, is a rose, is a rose.  What more is there to say other than this is my most favorite flower!  I am fortunate to have a number of rose gardens.  Taken care of with lots of love - after all, a rose is all about love, peace, joy and friendship. 

Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, whom we know as the great goddesses of love.  Men have used the rose for hundreds of years to convey messages without words.

Each color offers a distinct meaning:  red, the lover's rose, signifies enduring passion; white, humility and innocence; yellow expresses friendship and joy; pink is for gratitude, appreciation and admiration; orange symbolizes enthusiasm and desire; while white lilac and purple roses represent enchantment and love at first sight!

What color is your rose?

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Wildflower Agapanthus

Agapanthus

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

11x14
2015

The name is derived from scientific Greek: αγάπη (agape) = love, άνθος (anthos) = flower.

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter Flowers

Winter Flowers

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2015

New technique practiced by following brush strokes laid out by the Master Watercolorist Charles Reid.

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2015

Fall Leaves (After Georgia O'Keeffe).  Georgia O'Keeffe's unique artistic vision made her one of the great American oil painters of the twentieth century.  The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, holds the premier collection of her work.  This is where I fell in love with her work!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter White Pansy's

Winter White Pansy's

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2015

Plants are naturally intriguing.  Without them we humans couldn't exist.  They produce the oxygen we need to support our life force.   They feed us and they heal us, and often they just plain please us! They have been an inspiration for such wonderful music as Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier and for literature like The Lady of Camelia by Alexandre Dumas.  Plants have formed gardens both great and small, and many plants have been giving charming popular names, such as the Pansy!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter Orange Hibiscus #2, Rushing Spring

Winter Orange Hibiscus #2
Rushing Spring

Watercolors

(on Arches Watercolor paper - 140 lb)

9x12

2014

This was a challenging piece for me.  The technique is what challenged me.  It's called wet on wet.  With this particular watercolor technique the artist loses more control of the paint because its movement is truly controlled by the direction of the water.  So wet on wet is considered to be a more difficult technique because of this.  Its best to just let the water and paint do it's 'magical' thing'!

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter Flowers in a Water Pitcher

Winter Flowers in a Water Pitcher

Watercolors

(on Sennelier watercolor paper - 140 lb)

10x10

2014

As you can see, my painting style changed with this painting - and I love it!  It is more loose and the colors are more muted than what I usually do.  Its a style I think I will continue.  

Contemporary Art Works by Theresa - Winter Orange Hibiscus

Winter Orange Hibiscus

Oil Pastels 

(with a Watercolor Undercoat)
(on Sennelier watercolor paper - 140 lb)

5x7

2014

I have never ever used oil pastels before.  I found them to be 'fun'.  I first did one gloss of a water color under painting of the flower and then finished it up with oil pastels.  They went on easily because of the oil in the pastel piece.  They did not make me think of my pastel drawings at all.  It was fun.