In Korea

Korean Wedding Ducks

The duck is carried to the new home of the bridal pair and is displayed where they can easily see it. If the couple quarrels, one will point to the duck, which reminds them of the peaceful wedding, and will stop fighting. Traditional Korean weddings always include a pair of Korean wedding ducks. Mandarin ducks mate for life, are revered by the Koreans as symbols of loyalty and fidelity in a marriage. After the marriage, the wedding ducks are placed in the home of the newlyweds, if the ducks are facing each other, nose-to-nose, then the marriage is happy. If the ducks are facing away from each other, tail-to-tail, then the couple is fighting.

Visiting The Artist Section

Seoul

Visiting Korea

More Flamingos Join the Flock

The day the flamingos arrived it snowed and there were 4 in the garden and 4 in the car. Now there are 6 in the garden and two that stand and stare out the window in their box waiting to find their place in the group.

Flamingos Come to Visit

My birthday arrived and so did the flamingos. This past year I have painted many flamingos based on visits to zoos and various places that have flamingos as exhibits but now I have my own flamingos in my backyard to look at every single day. Thank you Alan

Swans in the Valley

Drawings of Swans
As my husband and I were traveling through the valley we came across a flock of swans that were feeding off the flooded pumpkin fields. They were large birds and stayed until the waters subsided and then moved on to a new location. Although their stay was short they inspired me to return to drawing and painting these lovely creatures.

I Have Been Painting Roses

Roses, Roses and More Roses

I have been painting roses and having a great time. 

Poinsettias

Today I spent my time painting poinsettias. What a magnificent flower for contrast and vibrant color. I enjoyed experimenting with approaches and techniques.

The single flower was painted reds first while the painting with multiple flowers was painted with the greens coming first. It is amazing how the approach changes the result. I also did another one that is larger and was painted without pre-drawing any of the foliage. It is a lot of fun and leans to a more modern technique. It was a great day with my poinsettias and paintbrushes.

Mountains

Currently I am working on the 50 drawings that I created as we drove across the country. This picture is from Montana as we came out of Yellowstone National Park and headed for Washington State. In this process I have learned a few more things about my computer so the colors in the paintings are actually a little more accurate to the real painting. These paintings although they look like they could be a large work are only 5 X 7 inches.

Birds

When I visit a place I return with images in my mind that demand to be put on paper. The crane is from our recent trip to Korea.

The penguin is from our trip to Hawaii where at the Hilton Hawaiian village they have a beautiful display of these marvelous birds.

The owl was seen in Yellowstone National Park this summer. A memorable place to visit.

Mountain Studies

Studying Begonias

Fall colors

Fall in Korea was and is maginficent. Enjoy these pictures of Korea in the fall.

Reflections in Korea

Visiting Korea 
As we have now returned from Korea it has become obvious that travel impacts art and life. The trip has expanded my thinking and my world view. My husband and I traveled to Korea to visit family and came back from Korea appreciating a new culture but also appreciating the freedom that is taken for granted in America. Here are just a few reflections on the latest trip.

Reflections from Korea . . . What a trip! The weather was amazing with the sun shining most days creating beautiful reflections of the autumn leaves in the ponds surrounding the palace we visited in Seoul. 

There were more . . . reflections to be seen in Korea. Another is the reflection of family members who are not together due to the division of the north from the south as a result of war and conflict. This is something that is constantly on ones mind as we traveled up to the DMZ to see the border and climb through a tunnel built by the North Koreans to invade South Korea. Razor sharp wire as well as guard posts separate us from the quiet, calm river. It is an amazing reflection in itself to realize that the DMZ is now a sanctuary of birds, flowers, trees and wildlife because man is not allowed to set foot on that part of Korea. The crane is just one of these beautiful creatures that inhabits this area. I have already begun to work on capturing the cranes image in my current paintings. We were fortunate to see several in the harvested rice fields around the area.

A third reflection is how we see ourselves when visiting a new country. How are we reflected to the native population. Do we come across as pushy Americans or are we respectful of their country and traditions everywhere we go. 

Koreans seemed very friendly and thoughtful in every way. The country is beautiful and may need to be revisited in the spring for further insight but for now I want to explore the reflection in my art and the reflection in my heart so a tiny part of this Asian society will be seen in what I am doing as an artist.

More Roses

It is hard to stop painting roses once you begin. It reminds me of golf, you are always looking to the perfect hole. I am always looking for the perfect painting. I have learned more about painting roses and that is never give up. I learned the most from a painting I thought was so horrible that I should just throw it away. I didn't discard the work but instead picked up a green pen and began adding the green and blue hydrangeas to the composition. Then I painted over the flowers to give somewhat of a luminescence to the work. 

It is not about these 23 little studies . . . it is about what I learn as I complete each. I know that if I work through the emotional down turns I will ultimately be successful.  The bottom line is keep at it. Don't give up. Painters get better by painting, artists get better by doing art. Step back look at what you are doing and keep at it . . . then put the work away for a while allowing for emotional maturity.  As I develop as an artist I know I can view my work in a rational way. 

I personally cannot wait to get more roses and paint more in the months ahead.