Imagine riding your bike, with your best friends, on the perfect summer day....
"It Was A Beautiful Day"
The story of this painting began on Trail Ridge Road in Colorado, and ended on the bike path between Venice Beach and Santa Monica California: two places where you can experience true bliss tootling around on the perfect summer afternoon. A beautiful tree arches over the path, a colorful butterfly flits by, and your delight seems to power your wheels into flight.
See how the painting was developed in the studio:
Once the original composition was drawn on the canvas, I started laying in color. I intentionally start with colors that won't be in the final image. Next, I want to see what the paint will do. I switch up the color and the consistency, and let the paint follow its own course.
At this stage, I redirect the painting back toward my original vision:
color and emotion.
The butterfly needed some attention, and I decided to model it after the "Mourning Cloak" species that is said to be in Colorado, though I can't say I've ever seen one...
Butterfly before:
Butterfly after:
Once the butterfly was completed, I could focus on the roundness of the tire, and the effects of the light spots.
When the painting was finally finished,
U2's "Beautiful Day" was playing in the studio, and I had my title:
"It Was A Beautiful Day"

This painting was part of my show
"Across the Spectrum"
at Zip 37 Gallery in Denver, June 7-23, 2013.
It is now available for sale online in my Etsy shop.
"Across the Spectrum"
at Zip 37 Gallery in Denver, June 7-23, 2013.
It is now available for sale online in my Etsy shop.
how fun to see your process! I love the flow of this, and all the 'rounds' throughout!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Cynthia! I appreciate your compliment!
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