Tuscan Sentinels and Another Honorable Mention




11 X 14 inch oil painting on canvas panel.

S O L D

Saturday night at the opening of the Orange Open Art Show I found an honorable mention ribbon hanging on this painting. What a wonderful surprise!



While in Italy at the workshop I took in June, I was driven to a winery called Dievole to paint for the day. The grounds were extraordinary. This however, was painted in my studio after I got home.

For me, this painting contains everything I learned while I was in Italy. I realized that I needed to expand my palette when I got home and I ended up adding a blue and a yellow. The colors I added helped me to quickly mix a wide variety of warm and cool greens for this painting.


When I started this painting I used my photo as a reference for color and perspective but took liberties with the other elements. The large cypress trees needed some trimming as they had lots of branches hanging out from their sides. The cypress trees in the background I arranged to create a nice rhythm and add depth. I arranged the shadow in the grass on the right to frame the painting and I added small purple flowers near my focal point.


My goals for this painting came together easily after the workshop and this painting marks a milestone in my work. As an artist I hope to always be growing and improving, tackling new subjects and pushing myself.

To see more of my work log onto www.kimvanderhoek.com/

Comments

Tracey Mardon said…
What nice icing on the cake! The variety of greens are wonderful and I love the blue green shadow.
Great memory of the trip and the learning!
Tracey
elsie said…
that feeling of growth in your art - it is so satisfying and wonderful - I love your expanded palette - Italy has moved your painting into a wonderful direction!
Susan Roux said…
Congratulations! This is very nice and painted from my dream destination. Someday I'll make it there...
Beautiful painting Kim. And the colours are wonderful. well done and all the best.
Vic.
Congratulations, Kim. It's a lovely piece and I am happy that the judges honored it!
LindaHunt said…
Wow...I really like this painting...the colors are so vivid and fresh!
Pam Holnback said…
What a great piece! I looked at this for a bit before reading your post. I was drawn to all the cool and warm greens, and my eyes kept moving around the painting. Then I read your post about what you were trying to accomplish...you did. You should be pleased w/ this one!
Kim VanDerHoek said…
Thanks everyone!

I'm having some formatting issues with this blog post, does anyone have any helpful suggestions on how to fix them?
Unknown said…
This is a wonderful painting Kim, and congratulations! I wish I could be there for your show. good luck!!!
Bear Chick said…
Congratulations!! It looks great. I'm hoping to get to the show this Thursday.
Congratulations, Kim!!

Clean, clear and it is lovely and deserving of an award!!!
Janice said…
What a wonderful suprise indeed! Congatulations!! And it is a beautiful piece!
Becky Joy said…
I really like the composition in this painting and the variety of greens. Wonderful!
Edward Burton said…
Congratulations, Kim! A very wonderful painting.
Manon said…
Congrats, Kim!! It is a wonderful painting!!