Sunday, July 14, 2013

More Matilijas!

In June I posted two paintings of the Matilija Poppies that are so spectacular in Matilija Poppies!.  I went with groups on two more paint-outs with the blooming white poppies as our subjects.  Time to post the watercolor and gouaches!

There is a big cluster of the special poppies growing in Eaton Canyon in Pasadena.  I painted a watercolor and a gouache the Friday the group was there. 

The next day the Saturday paint-out group went to the lower Arroyo Seco in Pasadena to see another area where the poppies are growing.  Those were the most gorgeous of the big poppy areas I saw this season.  The white poppies were the largest, most ruffled, most fluffy, and in the best condition.  Luckily for us painters both days were overcast since the poppies like to grow in full sun.  They don't like to be under trees as some of us painters do!  The bees really love the poppies as well and were very busy both days.  I painted a quick gouache before the sun got too hot and before the bees chased us away. 

The Arroyo poppies are across a wash from the Lower Arroyo Casting Pond.  It's so calm and such a pretty green color.  It's begging to be painted some day.  I'll include a view of it from the drive down into the pond area. 

8x10" watercolor

5x7" gouache


5x7" gouache

The La Loma bridge in the distance.

  

6 comments:

  1. Poppies - My kind of inspiration Sherry, Your gouache captures the scene so nicely but I do love the third painting with the extra splashes of colour

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! I wish you could see these huge poppies for your paintings. Those yellow mustard plants were blooming in that last area.

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  2. So interesting to see the photo of the scene and your lovely interpretation (the middle gouache painting.) Love the greens and the purple shadows. And the lights are fabulous.

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    1. Hi Susan, Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!

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  3. I've never seen white poppies - only the red. What a treat to paint these, Sherry. Beautiful gouache!

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    1. Thanks Terry! The poppies are spectacular, just huge. I would try to plant some in my yard but I've read they can be hard to get rid of.

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