Monday, June 3, 2013

Where the Wild Flowers Are

Where the Wild Flowers Are
mixed media on 8" x 8" panel



I can't seem to stop painting these crazy flowers. My family and I watched "Where the Wild Things Are" recently and I loved the monsters in the movie. I've always loved Maurice Sendak's illustrations in his beloved children's book. Somehow, my strange flowers here in muted colors remind me a little of those monsters, which is totally weird, I know. But these are not the dainty flowers that beckon you to smell them and cut them for flower arrangements. No, these flowers are different - a little scary, maybe, as if they were from a slightly scary flower nightmare, with a happy ending, of course. Or maybe they're on their way to an audition for "Where the Wild Flowers Are" not coming any time soon to a theater near you!


Trio
mixed media on 4" x 6" panel


I don't really know where these flowers are coming from, but they sure are fun to paint! For both of these paintings, I began by adding some collage before gesso and then continuing with watercolor and pencil. I love seeing glimpses of the collage underneath. As I've mentioned in other posts, I learned this technique from Carla Sonheim. It's helped me figure out a way to combine my new love of collage with my old love of drawing, and watercolor. I may have to stop doing these flowers at some point, but I'm sure I'll be exploring this technique for a long time. 

16 comments:

  1. Your flowers are so mysterious and original, also a bit fun and weird ( in a good Johnny Depp-like way ! Love them, great colors, too!

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  2. Love these flowers, it's a great style.

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  3. Colorful funk...I like it! I especially like the rosy one in the top piece.

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  4. Loving your original and magical flowers. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. Now that you mention it, these flowers do look like they came from Where the Wild Things Are. Beautiful work. Looks like it was so much fun.

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  6. Beautiful and very, very inspiring art, Debbie. Fantastic art style.

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  7. so cool! I love how you can see the other layers peeking through.

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  8. This is wonderful art. Love the flowers and the colors.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  9. I saw your title and immediately thought of Maurice Sendak! It was one of my son's fave books as a kid. Beautifully textured,painted flowers!

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  10. You have really found your niche with these crazy flowers, they are beautiful. It's wonderful when you gain so much from an online workshop and are able to use it as a springboard for your own work! Fantastic:)

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  11. I love your flowers with all their aspects of colours, layering and to me they don't look monstrous, just very expressive - beautiful!!!
    Happy PPF
    Ilona xx

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