It Was A Beautiful Day- Original Modern Abstract Oil Painting by Erin Fickert-Rowland

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.

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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"

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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.