Yosemite Wedding

A Wedding at the base or El Capitan in Yosemite on a clear blue-sky day... Pretty high on the list of possible venues, I'd say.

(It probably helps secure the spot when the groom was one of the National Park Service park rangers there.)

Original Oil Painting on 9"x 12" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Harmony

My friend Sandra asked me if I'd be willing to do a painting that would commemorate or celebrate her daughter's wedding.  Of course, I said that I'd love to.  I told her to send me a few images that we might choose from. 
Ok... the truth... 
I imagined she'd want a picture of some of the wedding flowers... or a slice of the cake... or their rings... or... or... I don't know... some little sweet wedding token thing... but... noooooo.... 
The photos came and they were the whole bride and groom!!!
Ohhhhhh... dear... deep breath... I can do this... 
     How in the world can I pull this off?!... 
It's just colors and shapes... just values and textures... 
     It's humans with arms and hands and faces!... 
I'm not afraid of a challenge... 
     How did I get into this?!... 
It is such a beautiful image... 
     A solid white wedding dress, for Pete's sake!... 
I can't wait to begin... 

Do you know how many times I've eagerly agreed to do something then realized with a sick feeling that I couldn't imagine how I could actually accomplish it? Well,I'll tell you... A lot! 
But... I guess that's how we get better, and it is oh, so satisfying when it does come together in the end!

Sandra sent me a half a dozen photos to choose from.  I sent back my feedback on each one so that she could make the final choice. I explained the positives and negatives about turning each one into a painting.  I tried to be neutral, but I'm pretty sure I didn't fool her.  I think she knew which one I was rooting for. 
These were my comments about this image:

• +They just look so peaceful.  I love the stories that each of these photos tells, but somehow this one feels like it's about the "marriage" not just the "wedding."  I love it.
• +They aren't centered.  I love that.
• + Her bouquet makes and appearance, but it's not trying to steal the show.
• +They seem so relaxed. A kiss on the forehead, eyes closed, arms draped (not posed).
• + The background is a medium value so her dress and his suit both would show up.
• + The background is natural. Nature is always good. Nothing in the background would demand the attention of the eye.
• - Yes, the veil is gorgeous.  Is it bad that I'd want to paint it going down instead of straight out.  I just think the tone of the whole piece is so calm. **The wind had blown it straight out behind her.
• - I see that the train of the dress is cut off in the photo, but I could fix that.

Because Sandra is also an artist, (Although she uses fabrics instead of paint - you must visit her blog and see her quilts.) I asked her if she wanted to follow along with my progress.  It's really the first time I've ever sent pictures of every little step of the process. I made her promise to trust me even while the painting was deep in the ugly stages.  She did.  It was fun.

I asked Sandra if she'd give her thoughts on the finished painting. This was the response written to the beautiful bride, her daughter.

This painting captures the way I see your relationship: a contentment, an equality, an ease of being in each others' arms that's born of partnership, love. and care for each other....and for a fluffy feline! May loads of love, happiness and contentment be in your lives for always. 

I love the thoughts.
I love the story told by this image.
I'm so glad she trusted me to put it on canvas.

Original Oil Painting on 16"x 16" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Wedding Flowers

This flower and berry arrangement makes me sigh...

It's not the color combination or the arrangement of flowers...

It's the memory...

Love, contentment, laughter, tears of joy...

Friends and family gathered for a beautiful day...

This grouping was placed on the side of my daughter's wedding cake.

Simple... elegant... lovely...

The painting "Wedding Flowers" can be purchased by following this link.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/41869506/fall-flowers-and-berries-original-oil

Visit the following link to enjoy a treasury celebrating the citrus-like combination of colors.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c43fa533f476d91dae92228/citrus?index=0