Paintings done in or inspired by our trip to Leiden, NL
This is my impression of one of the two windmills in Leiden. I love the way the seagulls soared around it. It used to be a function flour mill long ago. This is a watercolor on paper using only ultramarine blue and burnt umber and measures approximately 5 x 7".
This is my first impressions of Leiden, including the preserved pink brother. My sketchbook pages are approximately 8 x 8". This piece is watercolor and ink.
Our teacher, mentor and friend, Janice Beck, encouraged me to leave soft edges in my paintings so things do not look pasted on. I think this one is the most successful getting that combination of edges. Watercolor on sketchbook page, 8 x 8".
Jerry Mitchell arranged a private canal boat tour for us, including lunch and beverages. We saw several sailing school boats and many windmills on our cruise. This is also in my sketchbook.
Charlotte Munning pointed our ai wall with sketches of orchids in one of the indoor exhibitions at the Keukenhoff Gardens. Another sketchbook page.
One of the first things that impressed me about the Netherlands is their love of their bicycles. They are everywhere and walkers have to look both ways. These particular bikes were under a wisteria vine outside of an Alms House. It is watercolor on paper approximately 5 x 7" unframed.
This bicycle was parked outside of the dwelling with a red door. The wisteria was at its peak and framed the scene beautifully. It is watercolor on paper and approximately 5 x 7" unframed.
These koi were more imagined than seen. The canals have areas where large beautiful leaves are growing in the water. I could only imagine what was swimming around below them....so I imagined them to be koi. This painting is watercolor on yupo paper (plastic paper that does not absorb the paint.) It can be lifted and is unpredictable. This painting is 11 x 14" unframed.
This painting was inspired by our trip to the Keukehoff Gardens. There were beds and beds of tulips of every variety. I must have taken well over 100 photos. This is a composite of may of the varieties on display there. It is on yupo and measures 11 x 14" unframed.
Inspired by a flower bed near our apartment in Leiden. There were so many different types of blossoms and they seemed to change every day. This is a watercolor painting over a failed painting. I scraped gesso over the old piece and let parts of it show through. Parts of the old painting show through creating some added interest. This piece is 12 x 16" unframed.
This piece was inspired by a bouquet of tulips on the dining table in our apartment. It is 11 x 14" and is watercolor on gesso on an old painting.