Tiburon Mariposa Lily

Tiburon Mariposa Lily - 22 x 28 - oil on canvas

I finished my lily and it will be featured in the 140Hours Art for the Earth auction beginning April 22, 2010. 50% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Tree People and Global Green, two charities focusing on fostering and supporting a sustainable future for our planet.

As you can see from my previous post, the lily morphed when I added all of the delicate hairy fibers that surround the petals. These are what make this plant so unique.

This lily is rare and can only be found only on Ring Mountain in Marin County, California. It was declared endangered in 1987 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to loss of surrounding habitat to recreational activities, competition from invasive species, and proximity to dense population centers. The scientific name is Calochortus tiburonensis, a rare member of the family Liliaceae.

In order to do this painting, I obtained permission to use reference photos taken by two California photographers, RandomTruth and Tom Hilton. Thanks!

You can learn more about my lily on YouTube at: Tiburon Mariposa Lily, or see it in progress on my Facebook Fan Page.

It was definitely a fun project! Here's to Earth Day 2010.

Tiburon Mariposa Lily - in Progress

Tiburon Mariposa Lily - 22 x 28 - oil on canvas, in progress (top)

Marie at work at the easel (below)

140Hours Art Auction owner Gary Brant and I recently brainstormed the idea of holding a special charity art auction in honor of Earth Day. I thought it was a good idea because it's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and lots of people are involved in Earth Day events and activities.

Gary located two charities to participate in the event, Tree People and Global Green. 50% of the proceeds from sold artworks will benefit these charities, both focused on fostering and supporting a sustainable future for our planet.

I liked the idea of being able to support something important through my artwork, so I decided to create a special painting just for the auction.

You can see it, above. It's an up-close view of a rare and endangered Tiburon Mariposa Lily, found only on Ring Mountain in Marin County, California. In order to do this painting, I obtained permission to use reference photos taken by two California photographers, RandomTruth and Tom Hilton. Thanks!

I did a lot of research on this Lily beforehand. I learned it was declared endangered in 1987 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to loss of surrounding habitat to recreational activities, competition from invasive species, and proximity to dense population centers. The scientific name is Calochortus tiburonensis, a rare member of the family Liliaceae.

I'm excited about including it in the auction. Please tune into 140Hours beginning April 22, 2010 and you will see it there, along with other artworks focused on Earth Day themes.

You can learn more about this painting on YouTube at: Tiburon Mariposa Lily.

Or see it in progress on my Facebook Fan Page.

It's still on the easel so stay tuned for the finished painting! Thank you my friends.

Still Life with Pitcher

Still Life with Pitcher - 16 x 16 - oil on canvas (top)

Actual still life set up (bottom)

Like all artists I sometimes struggle for inspiration. About a month ago was one of those times. In between paintings and not sure what to tackle next. Allan said, "Why don't you paint a still life?" I scoffed, yeah right! Then stopped to think that maybe what he said made sense. I could paint all the stuff I really like to paint, like fabric.

But I had no idea painting a still life would mean re-arranging my entire studio, which is exactly what I did, in order to get my easel, painting table and still life table in exactly the right spot. It took like a week. Then I had to rearrange my storage closet, because the fabric I'd collected years ago for quilt projects was stored in the back corner where I couldn't get it out. And I wanted some of that fabric in my still life. And then I didn't like the fabric after all so I had to visit JoAnne's fabric store and get some new fabric.

Then after all that I had to set up the still life and actually paint it. Which after all was said and done wasn't the hardest part, and was definitely the best part. So here is my first still life in ages, straight from my table set up (which you can see above) to my canvas.

Allan likes it, said it reminds him of a Margret Short. Marget Short! Now that's a compliment.

Maybe I'll try another one, now that my studio is cleaned up and my storage closet is organized.

Eggs and drapery anyone?

Gilded Angel

Gilded Angel - 36 x 48 - oil on canvas

At last, the unnamed angel emerges. All the while she was in development on the easel, I had no idea what to name her. My Facebook fans gave me lots of ideas, including: Silence is Golden (Laurie Ambrose), Celeste, and Celestial Angel (Sharon Stewart), Stellar Angel (Mario Molinaro) and Golden Angel (my original idea).

I mulled them over and carefully considered whether they matched the gold faux finish background that envelopes her, and finally selected a name that seemed to encompass everyone's idea into one, Gilded Angel.

She sits upon my display easel, across from my work table, awaiting a coat of varnish. She will one day move to another location. Until then, she is gilded and waiting......

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More angels (and other paintings) in development on my Fan Page.

Here are the other angels:

Daydream Believer

Blue Angel

Meringue Angel