MARY
Magnolia Cone
Mary Frost has been painting for just about a year and a half. This soft magnolia cone is her last painting, finished just before the New Year. The paintings in this post are a little trip back in time along Mary's painting journey.
This painting took her 6 weeks to complete, one careful brushstroke at a time, letting each layer dry hard before applying another one, ensuring that there was no bleeding or pulling up of colour. This is how she managed to depict that soft, down-and-velvet quality without losing the crispness and the light.
Slowing down was a challenge (and Mary loves a challenge) which taught her the very important lessons of how, in botanical painting, haste can all too often lead to waste.
None of that here!
Chinese Lantern
Mary painted a few of these luminous little lanterns before feeling satisfied with this jewel, her first real lesson in the benefits of sloooow painting. It just glows!
California Poppies
No chance for slow painting here, or in many of Mary's earlier works. We watched these open up and shed their shells in front of our eyes, much to Mary's alarm. Luckily it was summer and she had a few in her garden. A marathon on a slow day, Mary pinned these ladies down pretty well, don't you think?
Lovely papery petals. Here's a closer look...
...and still more poppies for your viewing pleasure
Iris
This and the following 2 iris paintings were done between Mary's introductory first level class with me at Emily Carr University of Art and Design www.ecuad.ca and the beginning of her ongoing and very dedicated painting journey.
These flowers change and age notoriously quickly. Initially frustrating, the beautifully curling and decaying petal captivated Mary's attention. A sensitive and delicate study.
The colours here are intense and the details sharp and intricate. Regal and dignified.
