My First Art Show Submission

I am participating in my first Art Show with The New Bohemia Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  You can check them out @  http://www.newbohemia.org/

Artists purchase a 2' x 2' piece of wood from The New Bohemia Group and create our project with our chosen type of media. This year's theme was "My Garden" so can be interpreted by each artist in their own way.  This is the largest piece I've painted with acrylic paint, to date.  This is the 7th year this group has sponsered an annual 2x2xU outdoor show.  The great thing about this art show is that it is for anyone of any skill level.  All submitted pieces will be on display outdoors from June 5 - September 11. 

I thought it would be fun to record my creative process so here a few photos to show my work in progress:  

Step 1:  coat one side and all edges with one coat of paint

Step 2:  apply second coat of white paint (white makes it easier to add other colors)

Step 3 (a tip from Erin):  large pieces of artwork should be placed on top of a small box so you can turn the piece instead of lifting the piece to paint the edges; before I figured this out I had paint on both hands and forearms and across my chest  

Step 4:  pencil sketch of the image I will paint

Step 5:  paint a background around the main image

Step 6:  add an outline, fill in the petals with multiple colors

Step 7:  add depth with more petal colors and darker color in center of flower

Step 8: add more color to each petal

Step 9:   more color in the center, more highlight on the petals, adding additional colors to background

Step 10:  DONE

This is my finished piece after adding more color to the background and additional color to the center.  I was really pleased with how this piece turned out.  I learned alot about what to do differently next time.

The reception for the gallery is next weekend so I plan to attend and will share more photos.

Hugs,  Erin 

p.s.  At the suggestion of my "man" I am planning to do a series of painting with a similar theme.  This will be fun!