Lunch time - Chili Peppers

The previous week WDE was hosted by Scatty (aka ScattyCat) on WetCanvas, and she posted a beautiful photo of chili peppers resting on some autumn leaves, which I liked very much. However, I did choose to crop the photo and focus on the vibrant red peppers, rather than taking the photo as it was. I had a great time doing this painting, and afterwords it made me to go and cook using similar chilies from my balcony pot. One day I must consider painting my pot with chilies too. I hope you enjoy this one. It is watercolor (Sennelier and W&N) on Waterford 140 lb CP paper, and has a size of approximately 10x7 inch.

Cherries in a Colander

Sometime ago, at the beginning of the summer, after a few hours spent in the open market I got at home with many bags full of fruits: cherries, peaches, strawberries. While washing them in a strainer (colander) I loved the contrast between the metal and the fruits, and the light coming through the holes of the colander. Taking photos (and adding them to a huge archive, which I go through from time to time to refresh memories of places, people, things, feelings and moods) is something that I am doing for over 15 years now. My hubby sometimes complains that I pay more attention to the little insects flying around than to him :). So, that day was dedicated to photography of fruits in a colander, and the very same day I also did a smaller study of 3 cherries and started to paint this still life of cherries in the colander. Don't ask why it took so long to finish it! It took like forever to decide how to go on, and every time I was looking at it I was changing my mind again and again. The painting is approximately 10x7 inch in size, and it is done with W&N and Daniel Smith watercolor paints on Arches 140 lb CP paper.

Niforeika Beach and the scattered clouds

Some time ago, in spring, we went to Niforeika Beach (about 25 km south of Patras) to check some hotels for some friends that would come in the summer for vacation. Although we couldn't walk for a long time, as it was quite cold and the sky was full of dark clouds, we spent some time walking on the beach and my son was very happy to run free. I took some photos with my mobile, as I didn't had a photo camera with me. Few days ago, looking at them, I was inspired to paint the scene, but transforming the heavy dark clouds to scattered ones. The painting is about 14x10 inch in size, and is painted with Daniel Smith and W&N watercolors on Arches 140 lb CP paper. Enjoy your walk!

Narcissus serotinus (Autumn Narcissus) - the delicate autumn lady

This delicate little flower can be found in the Mediterranean area in the autumn, when the weather gets cold and after the first rains. It has long white petals and a yellow/orange corona, and carries usually one flower. I found them by the end of October, while taking a walk near Kampi village (Zakynthos Island, Greece). I hope you enjoy them in my little painting too. The Narcissus serotinus painting has a size of app. 5x7 inch, and it is done with W&N watercolor paintings on Kilimanjaro 140 lb CP paper.

Hawksbill turtle - exploring the underwater environment

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful underwater photos mostly posted by lisilk (aka Li Newton) in the WC reference library, and I did some smaller paintings some time ago (only up to 7x5 inches). This time I wanted to go "big", and worked out this beautiful turtle on a 10x15 inches Arches 140 lb HP paper. It took me quite a long time to finish it, but I enjoyed the process and I like the way it turned out. I hope you will enjoy it too. I mostly used W&N watercolors.