White Chicken 14"x18" Watercolor Painting

A new painting featuring a friend from Veritas Farms in New Paltz, N.Y.

I made ample use of dry brush watercolor technique in this painting, particularly on the wood.  Dry Brush involves drying off the brush while wet with paint to limit the amount of water in it and then lightly rubbing the textured watercolor paper with a stiff brush.  The paint then settles on the high points of the paper.

I recently gave Paul from Veritas Farm a gift print of a painting of his farm.  He insisted on paying for it in eggs.  Veritas Farms has a great vegetable buying club with beautiful fresh organic veges as well as wonderful eggs of many colors. 

Coleus Party Painting

A recent visit to the Northern Duchess Botanical Gardens, in Rhinebeck, N.Y. revealed to me tremendous varieties of the Coleus plant. I learned that some prefer shade and stay relatively small, while others like the one in the foreground of this painting (with the three large leaves) are sun lovers and can grow quite large. I was equally awed by the pink leaved Coleus (in the background), as it was the first time I had ever seen this variety. My first house plant was a Coleus brought home from school as a tiny cutting in a Styrofoam cup, so the plant occupies a special place in my heart.

The painting reflects the almost overwhelming sense of color and shapes vying for my attention. In the end, I brought home a few of each. This is probably the reddest painting I have ever done. It is also quite large, will be 18"x24" when framed. It is a good candidate for my submission to the North East Watercolor Association International Show this summer.

Northern Duchess Botanical Gardens http://www.ndbgonline.com

North East Watercolor Association http://www.northeastws.com

Coffey Road Painting

Here is a new oil painting of Coffey Road in New Paltz, N.Y. I like the light in this painting and the dark shadows on the trees.  It is 9"x12".  I will be posting some newer watercolors soon. 

Welcome to my Blog!

I have created this Blog to share with the world some of my new works of art along with some of my thoughts inspired by painting.  I will also be using this space to post tips on painting and other creative ramblings.  

Upcoming events such as exhibitions, classes, workshops and more will be posted here.  This type of information along with a portfolio of paintings can also be viewed on my website at http://www.mirafink.com

So enjoy the blog and feel free to comment on what you see.

Mira