Echinacea

2011

8x8

acrylic on paper

If you come here often, you know I don't usually work with still life.

This was fun, though. Uncharacteristically for me, I worked out the composition and colors first, then I went out to my garden to find some pink flowers, and came back with these echinacea (purple cone flowers, if you prefer).

The challenge then was to take something so intentionally designed and make it fresh, loose, gestural. There was some struggle and doubt, but I think I got there, more or less.

I cannot understate the usefulness of the advice I got last year from Jon Imber who encouraged pushing compositions off the edge, and for me, specifically, to use more neutrals.

I am nuts for color, but using neutral tones, really makes them sing. It is like balancing flavors when you cook.