Ringling Rose Garden, 8x10" oil, plein air, ©Diane Mannion
Ringling Museum
Painted at the Ringling Museum Rose Garden with a hardy group of Peace River Painters. I was first to arrive and met an official rose garden pruner, who puttered about snipping roses beyond their prime and tenderly inspected each plant... not an easy job with 1200 plants to care for.
The 27,225 square foot, rose garden, was completed in 1913 by Mable Ringling. After falling into disrepair it was lovingly restored by volunteers led by horticulturalist, Ron Mallory. It's now one of the most outstanding rose gardens in the nation.
I couldn't find a shady spot, so stood in the sun (almost 90!) for two hours, not too bad with large hat and shirt. Experimented with a car sunscreen to shade my canvas and palette. Will be traveling this summer by air and don't want to bring my painting umbrella, so this should work fine. But did have to hang onto it when the wind kicked in! Was time to leave, anyway. Finished details on statue later.
2 comments:
You captured the dappled light beautifully. Clever idea using the sunshade. I must remember that.
Have to say - your color sense is wonderful. The green mixtures appear spot on to the photo. Great job.
I always love to read how volunteers can transform something ordinary into something amazing.
Thanks, Julie Ford Oliver! Have been using a very limited palette, except for the Permanent rose of the flowers. Cad yellow, pyrol red, ultramarine blue deep, white. Underpainting is transparent red oxide and ultramarine blue for darks first. Then only mixed my greens with yellow and blue... a touch of the oxide or red to tone the green down.
Started to read about your painting crisis this morning and haven't finished yet. Sounds like a great idea for an article or book! Every artist goes through the wiper stage. Timely for me because I've got a wiper in the works... about fifth total wipe... but don't want to give up on it. Will post about it later and link to your posts on the subject.
Paint away!
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