Monday, May 29, 2017

The Story of "Morning at the Casa"

The story of "Morning at the Casa"

  

The historic house of Casa Feliz, sits on the beautiful grounds of the golf course on the north end of Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. The building was relocated to this site, in 2000, when it was saved from demolition at it's original spot. For more information about this beautiful Spanish Style farm house visit the Casa Feliz website http://www.casafeliz.us/our-history/

I chose a brilliant periwinkle blue, with hints of green and violet, to convey the brightness of the sky. It was a crisp cool Spring morning. One of the last ones before the summer heat and humidity set in, with no moisture in the air to obscure the true blue of the sky.

The beauty of this house and its surroundings never cease to amaze and inspire me. My favorite feature is the carriage archway, which is the focal point of my painting. The white marks of the arch draw the eye to, and through it, to what is in the distance.

I posted an "in-progress" photo (above) on Facebook, which started an online bidding war, and the painting was sold before it was finished.  It was purchased by my dear friend and third time customer, Alison, as a birthday present for her mother.

This painting is also available as a high quality print on watercolor paper. (Please message me for price inquiries.)

To see more of my paintings please like my Facebook page Orit Reuben Art or go to my website at www.oritreuben.com.

Happy trails and happy painting...

Orit













Sunday, March 12, 2017

March 2017 - Wekiva Island Quick Draw

The story of "Wekiva Palms" - 2nd place winner - Wekiva Island Quick Draw 2017

This pastel painting was created on a beautiful sunny day on Wekiva Island, just aways downriver from the spring's head. The loud horn blew to announce the two-hour drawing time for the Quick Draw competition. I was standing on a little bridge over a branch of the creek full of moss covered turtles waiting to be fed by the staff who regularly threw in fish food.

Next to me were two other ladies, Cory, and her nice English friend, who's name I don't remember. One painted an alligator from a photo and the other a turtle.

I focused on a row of palms at the end of the waterway, and the beautiful lily pads in front of them. The painting was composed by comparing the warmth and coolness of elements, and negotiating the distance of farther-off objects. In Florida, everything is green. The trick to a successful landscape is to create distance by depicting trees behind the main subject in lighter, cooler colors. Otherwise, everything is just one big green jungle.

This being my first quick draw competition, I practiced the sketch and composition the previous day, so the drawing took me only an hour instead of two. I was pleasantly surprised to win second place and received a generous gift certificate that will allow many hours of canoeing, and too many drinks at the Without a Paddle Bar.

For more paintings see my website at www.oritreuben.com and find me on facebook.

"Wekiva Island Palms" Pastel, 12"x 9"


Wekiva Turtles