Butterfly Study and Prep for Dallas Arboretum Show

I have posted in the past how I have this visual of a butterfly painting in my head, but, it is not complete.  I keep wanting to paint this image of butterflies in flight.  Because of the art show at the Dallas Arboretum, Artscape, I decided to start with some small butterfly studies.  This has taken me to creating abstract patterns using watercolor and a variety of resists like plastic to emulate the patterns found in butterfly wings.  I have some beautiful washes posted on my facebook page.  Right now I am so in love with them, I am afraid to go to the next step because I am enjoying the pattern as it is for the time.  I would be interested in hearing what you think about these first pass washes.  I am not sure if I should use negative painting to create the butterflies or if I should do positive painting on the wings to define the butterflies.  In the meantime, I just keep painting a butterfly every morning.  I was lucky to see a fantastic butterly collection at the arboretum in Montreal.  I took several pictures, but, the vivid silky wings don't come out as fantastic in the photos.

Have a fabulous weekend!  Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts.

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Pouring, Prints & Paintings

 15x22 in progress

 5 prints of Baylor Hospital signed and numbered

Overview of work in the last 3 months

Greetings on this very, very cold morning in Dallas!  It has been overcast and bitterly cold, I had to lay my paintings out to see some bright colors.  Actually, someone wanted to see my work, so I invited them over to have a looksee in my make-shift gallery.  

I could not keep up with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge this past January.  The painting on the top is a pour I started for the challenge.  It is almost finished.  Inspired from a photo I took when on a study abroad program in 1989.  I was there as part of the architecture program at Texas A&M.  To this day, our group keeps in contact via facebook.  

The next photo is a snapshot of 5 prints that Baylor Hospital ordered after seeing the original painting I was commissioned to paint as a gift to an executive at Baylor.  They are considering to order note cards, too.

Great news - I was accepted to participate in the Dallas Arboretum Art Show - Artscape!!!!  The dates are April 26 & 27.  Wow, I hope I sell some paintings.  This will be to a much broader audience, I am curious to see how it goes.  The Dallas Arboretum wants the art to be of a nature theme.  You know I love painting flowers, but, I also like my city paintings!  The city scenes are what I sell the most.  I will also have to pay to be in the show as well as pay for display rental.  The other art shows I have not had to pay anything except commission on pieces that sold.  I am thankful that my husband is encouraging and says go for it, it will be a great experience.  Can you help me by letting me know what kind of paintings you would buy if you were at a nature themed art show?