Susie’s Rose Day 2 of the 30 in 30 painting challenge

painted from life from a bouquet my friend Susie gave me to celebrate my first watercolor show.

Ok, I know, I know, that I said that my theme of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge was going to be “seas and skies” but rules are meant to be broken! Ha!

Rose bouquet

Well, it wasn’t a rule, it was a guideline that I temporarily abandoned for good reason.  My friend who couldn’t attend the show, dropped off at my house a beautiful bouquet of roses to celebrate.  I immediately knew I wanted to paint them.  I also knew that it would be difficult!

I knew that if I wanted to paint them from life, I had to work on it before they started drooping.  So, over the weekend  I tried unsuccessfully to paint them in their full glory  several times, and the results just weren’t pretty.It wasn’t working for me. I had a clear idea of what I wanted:  a wet in wet bouquet with just the suggestion of detail on some of the blooms, and soft flowing colors.  But in reality, there were too many details and I couldn’t loosen up enough to make it as I wanted, but still have the blooms look like roses.

So then I decided to concentrate on just a couple of blooms, and this is how the painting decided to go.  One full bloom and the suggestion of one on the side.  I am happy with the lost and found edges on this piece and how much I learned from methodically trying to get the fullness and curve of each petal.  It was a really enjoyable painting day for me.  I am doubly grateful for the flowers and for our friendship.