Thursday, August 14, 2014

A Japanese Garden

It's been two months since one of the paint-out groups visited the historic Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena.  We were all very anxious to visit this historic garden that we've heard so much about but hadn't visited.  The garden was part of a private estate and hidden for decades.  It's been historically renovated and is now open only for private parties.  It's located behind walls and fences, and seemed to be almost just a rumor with artist friends.  We were amazed when we got a first glimpse past the entry gates.  The beautiful garden features two connected ponds, bridges, and an authentic teahouse.  

Since we visited the garden to paint,  I've been retouching my watercolor and going back to it to look again.  During our brief discussion of the paintings, the group generally thought the water we had painted seemed to look more like a lawn since it was green and murky.  In trying to make my watercolor look more like a pond than a lawn, I've added some blue sky reflections and some bright spots to highlight the crane sculpture I wanted to feature.  It was such a lovely morning of painting at the garden and the owners were very generous to allow our visit.  Hoping to visit again!

8 x 10" Watercolor



Authentic twelve tatami mat teahouse


8 comments:

  1. A wonderful watercolour of this pretty scene, you have packed it I'll of interest and your own colours, I think just right adding some blue as the reference photo at first glance doesn't read water. The tea house looks like a pretty setting

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  2. Lovely watercolor, Sherry. I really like how you pulled the 'pond' out by floating in that sky. Great looking place, hope to paint there with the group one day!

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  3. Breathtaking, Sherry!! And I especially love the heron that showed up!

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  4. Such an amazing place, and how lucky were all of you to paint there. I love this painting, and your reflections are wonderful. I think that blue made all the difference.

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