First painting of the year complete.

"Tablescape", Watercolor, 12" x 18"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

My first painting pf 2019 is complete.

I have always loved this blue and white table runner and bought it years ago with the intent of using it in a painting someday.

Have I painted enough Gerber Daisies? I think not.

Their large, beautiful circles of so many color variations in a single flower gets me everytime.

The pedals here hold many glazes of reds, oranges, yellows, greens and violets.

I usually use the colors complement to create a shadow, 

so various greens were added in the flowers cast shadows.

I often find painting greens difficult but, as with all things,

practice makes, if not perfect, better.

This is typical of the direction I find myself going with each painting.

Rich colors counterbalanced with strong directional lighting.

That is what keeps me engaged with the work and anxious to get to my table every day.

Thanks for taking a look!

Shows, Awards and new WIP

Well here I am apologizing for not posting in months.

But I believe I have a legitimately good excuse this time.

After over 35 years in our home, we moved it all out to a newly built carriage house.

It's actually a little bigger than out old house and we are loving it.

So who knew that packing up 35 years of your life would take so darn long?!

But all worth it and I love my new studio space, spacious with more light.

So here's what's been happening.

I finally finished "Little Sparrow".

It is now on display in 

The Signature American Watermedia Exhibition until April 30, 2019.

"Stitch in Time" received 

The Peoples Choice Award

in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition.

That was certainly a nice surprise!

"Bourbon Street Chess Master" was selected as a finalist in the
Richeson Portrait and Figure Competition.

"Sunset" was awarded
The Jack Richeson & Co Award
at the Northeast Watercolor Society Exhibition.
The generous award was a selection of my choice of their watercolor tube paints.
And just for fun they threw in a set of watercolor brushes and masking fluid!
I am using them all now on my current painting.
The paint is expensive but lovely to work with and the brushes are a synthetic blend that hold their points and shapes for the detail work I enjoy.

This is what's on my table now.
Much of my time the past couple of months has been consumed with the move
and settling into our new home.
So I'm feeling a little rusty and choose to start with my familiar
subjects of glass and flowers.
So far so good.

Flowers and Figures

This still was set up on my driveway on a sunny Spring morning.

My husband actually planted these beauties the previous Autumn.

It's a bit smaller than I usually work at 12" x 17" because it is for submission 

in a local show with size restrictions.

It took many layers of orange, reds and violets to get the very bold colors 

of the flowers themselves.  Also I used very little resist in this one.

I was using it so much that it was beginning to feel like a crutch.

And in leaving it out I found the painting looked more fresh and I really 

enjoyed painting around all the complicated shapes.

"Redheads"

Watercolor, 12" x 18"

©Carmella Tukiszewski

Up until now I have put all my focus on submitting to the national and international exhibits and have not participated in the local art community.  I entered the fine art spectrum backwards from the way most would advise but it's what worked for me.  A good example of you dont know until you try.

This year I focus locally and hopefully meet some of the fabulous fellow artists 

the Philadelphia area has to offer.

And some good news!

"Bourbon Street Chess Master"

12' x 18". Watercolor

©Carmella Tuliszewski

My "Bourbon Street Chess Master" has been selected as a finalist in the

2018 Richeson75 International Figure and Portrait Competition!

This is a tough one to gain entry into so I'm pretty darn excited!

What's on my table now?

Watercolor, 18" x 18"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

No title on this one yet.

It's from a scene in Republic Square in Florence, Italy.

Love the shadows here.

Obviously needs a lot more work and I see things to change or fix already 

but it's a good challenge and I'm enjoying it.

I'll be back with a finish and let you know how the local shows are working out.

Bottles, Buttons, Bouquets and Bourbon.

Oh No! Has it really been six months since my last entry here?

My poor blog gets very neglected from time to time.

I seem to focus all my attention on Facebook and Instagram these days.

But I still enjoy keeping the blog because it's a chance to show and say more.

So here we go with what's been happening.

This painting is from a scene I shot while in New Orleans a couple of years ago

for the Louisiana Watercolor Society Exhibition.

I love the feel of this.  

His repose in the middle of so much activity was captivating and that 

harsh southern sun added all the sharp detail and shadowing I most love to portray.

"Bourbon Street Chess Master"

Watercolor, 12" x 18"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

Speaking of the Lousiianna Watercolor Society,

this painting of my grandson enjoying a summer afternoon was juried into

the 2018 Louisianna Watercolor Society international Exhibition.

The show ran in the spring.

"Summer Showers"

Watercolor, 12" x 18"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

I was so excited to be juried into the 

Watercolor USA Honor Society 2018 Exhibition!

This is an especially difficult show in which to get past the judges

as they look for the unique and unusual.

I didnt make it through the past two times I tried so third time was the charm.

It is on exhibit now in Springfield, MO.

"Walks of Life"

Watercolor, 20" x 24"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

"Stitch in Time" will also be shown this fall at the

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition.

"Stitch in Time"

Watercolor, 18" x 28"

©Carmella tuliszewski

And "Sunset", which made it to the NWS show last year,

 has been selected for exhibition in the 

Northeast Watercolor Society Exhibition this Fall in Kent, Connecticut.

"Sunset"

Watercolor, 20" x 24"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

This is a rendition of a bridal bouguet completed recently as a gift to a friend of my daughter.

The background is a stylish interpretaion of her wedding gown and

the earrings are a gift to the bride from the groom.

"Lauren's Bouquet"

Transparent and Opaque Watercolor, 16" x 18"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

Now I am in the middle of another street scene but this time from

Florence, Italy.

A two hundred year old carousel with all the dramatic lighting and bright colors I adore painting.

I promise not to take another six months to share those results!

Stills, Flowers and Shows, oh my!

So far in this new year I have been very productive.

"Stitch in Time"

Watercolor, 18" x 28"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

I decided to take on another large still life.

This time making use of all my stashed away sewing items.

It took about three weeks from drawing to finish and I loved every minute of it.

I am currently planning another on this subject.

My objective here was to gain good practice in painting various textures to include glass (of course!)

but also metals, fabrics, paper and the weaved basket.

having everything sit on actual pattern tissue was a last minute call that I'm very pleased with.

This is a competition piece so I'll let you know how it goes :)

"Caladiums Alight"

Watercolor, 12" x 15"

©CarmellaTuliszewskiArt.com

After a large still I like to turn to florals for a bit to recharge.

This was taken from a trip to Longwood Gardens last Fall.

These beauties were at ground level of a stunning atrium.

They managed to capture a ray of sun, and my attention, 

 through the thick canopy above.

"Golden Trumpets"

Watercolor, 8" x 8"

©CarmellaTuliszewskiArt.com

And another painting from Longwood Gardens.

The backlighting on this was a little difficult for me.

So I plan to go in and fiddle with it some more.

But the light on this was just so spectacular that I had to try.

One of those helpful learning experiences.

"Lemomcello"

Watercolor, 18" x 24"

©CarmellaTuliszewskiArt.com

And I learned this month that I have been accepted into my second show of the year.

"Lemoncello" will exhibit in

The 2018 Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition

Saturday, March 17, 2018 - Sunday, April 29, 2018

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia

This painting was in the 2016 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition 

and was awarded the M. Graham Award of Excellence.

It is coming to the end of it's show viability as exhibitions only allow a work to

be two to three years old to enter.

It will then go onto my website for sale.

If you are interested please contact me.

I'd love to see it find a good home:)

I have entered more competitions so far this year.

Here's hoping some of them make it through.

I do love all the opportunities 

watercolorists have to show their work through the various societies

and publications.  Of course, that multiplies the chances of being rejected.

But when you are accepted it's just that much more exciting.

I'll let you know how it goes!

2017 Round Up

I cannot complain at all about 2017.

Professionally and personally it's been a good year.

My husband retired after over 35 years as an insurance executive.

And although it took some getting used to having him around all the time, it's been great.

We have coffee together every morning, babysit our grandchildren and travel here and there.

Speaking of grandchildren, we now have three with babies Alice and Benjamin born this year.

Larry and I at Niagara Falls in October.

As an artist I did not get as much painting in as I have in the past because of all the above reasons.

But those I did complete were great fun to work on and I am happy with the outcomes of each.

And I was lucky enough to check off a few bucket list events I was hoping to accomplish.

My first time to have a painting of mine appear in

Splash The Best of Watercolor.

 My first time to be accepted into 

The National Watercolor Society International Exhibition.

And, after a review by the signature committee,

to be awarded Signature Status in the NWS.

To be one of the artist highlighted by 

The Art of Watercolor magazine for

their Readers Competition.

And, just recently, my painting "Glimmerglass" was accepted into the 

9th Signature American Watermedia Exhibition.

I have been over the moon with each of these events in my life and feel very fortunate.

So what am I hoping for in the coming year?

I do have one big wish on my Bucket List.

And that is to gain Signature Status in the 

American Watercolor Society.

I have been accepted into one show in 2016 and need one more to apply.

But if it doesnt happen this year I'll just keep trying.

But most of all to just keep painting things that I find exciting and can't

wait to get to every morning.  Isnt that what we all want?

A reason to get up in the morning and make the most of the day.

Sometimes that's painting, sometimes its babysitting my grandchildren and sometimes it's hanging out with my husband Larry.

But whatever that something is for you, I hope you find it in 2018.

Happy New year!

Summer Showers

I thought I'd give the bottles a rest for now and go out of my comfort zone a bit.

I begin with a very detailed drawing from the reference pictured below.

Using 140 lb Arches Cold Press paper that has been soaked and

stapled to gatorboard then left to dry overnight.

I don't tape the edges simply because there is not need.

The next day my paper is stretched tight as a drum

and will not buckle or warp while I work.

I begin applying liquid mask to protect the whites and brighter 

hue reflections.  

A quill pen works well for this if you apply a few drops of water to the mask.

And so the painting begins.

I like to paint in backgrounds first because it affects all the 

subsequent colors. If I cant judge how the final colors will look it creates a lot 

of extra work once the foreground is applied.

Now for the really fun part!

I keep a black and white copy of my reference nearby to help in judging the values.

Many painters will tell you that although color gets all the glory, 

it's the values that make an image work.

There is much glazing, blending and smoothing of edges as I go.

Almost there.

You can see the difference between the upper and lower bubbles.

I tackle the transparencies first and then go in for the reflections.

A tricky mixture.

I could only do this for a couple hours at a time and had to walk away to rest my eyes.

But you just keep going and little by little is gets done!

 "Summer Showers"

Watercolor, 12" x 18"

This just happens to be my little grandson enjoying a suny day playing on his deck.

He runs back and forth through the bubbles giggling and just having a great time with a simple pleasure of summer.

It warms my heart and I hope I captured this special moment in a little kids life.

So this goes up on my board for now while I tweek it here and there for

finishing touches.

Spectral Vessels

I just completed the eighth in my series of glass paintings,

"Spectral Vessels"

"Streaming"

Watercolor, 16" x 30"

I found this background fabric at my favorite thrift store.

It's actually a twin bedsheet.

I loved the built in flow and played that up a bit in this composition.

After laying the sheet down in my driveway,

I intentionaly created a soft flowing S curve from top to bottom to mimic the flow of the pattern.

Placing the objects mainly to one side makes for an interesting grouping.

The study of the play of light within each piece of glass still is an 

exciting prospect for me.

So I thought I'd share all eight pieces together in order of completion 

beginning with this most recent painting.

"Encore"

Watercolor, 22" x 30"

Too much color? Maybe to some.

This painting was just rejected by this years juror for The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibit.  Not a good debut I guess but I think it's got something so

I'll keep trying.

"Sunset"

Watercolor, 20" x 22"

"Sunset" has been juried into

The National Watercolor Society 2017 International Exhibition

San Pedro, California

Opening Reception October 21, 2017

My first time submitting to a NWS exhibit and I was pretty surprised.

Kept checking the list. It's not that I don't think it's a good piece, it's

that you never know how these things are going to go.

I'm always bracing for rejection :)

"Lemoncello"

Watercolor, 18" x 24"

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition

2016

 Recipient of the M. GRAHAM AWARD

"Glimmerglass"

Watercolor, 18" x 28"

The Northwest Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2016
Awarded Signature Status in the NWWS

Runner up for Splash 18 The Best of Watercolor 2017

The Philadelphia Watercolor Society

International Exhibition of Works on Paper. 2016

 Recipient of the Marie L. Hollenbeck Award of Excellence

"Ripples"

Watercolor,  22" x 24"

The American Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2016

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Members Show 2016

Honorable Mention

Selected for Splash 18 The Best of Watercolor 2017

One of the things I love about this subject is that I am occassionaly surprised by the images reflected back at me that I was not expecting.

For instance, if you look at the green bottom center sphere 

you will see me up on a ladder with my arms outstretched, camera in had, trying to get the perspective I had pictured in my head.

"Light Reigns"

Watercolor, 18" x 24"

Northwest Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2015

"Summer Harvest"

Watercolor, 18" x 24"

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2015

Recipient of The Award of Merit
Awarded Signature Status in the PWS

This was my first ever bottle painted in watercolor.

And honestly I did not know what I was doing

until I figured out how to assemble shapes of color 

side by side like a sort of puzzle.

Add some blending and glazing and it all came together.

The really wonderful things about going to these group watercolor society shows are
getting to meet and chat with some of the painters I have admired and studied
when I first began as a watercolorists.
Ian Steward, Antonio Masi, L. S. Eldridge, Judi Betts,
Chris Krupinski, Marsh Chandler, Ona Kingdom and Carol Pickle
to name a few.  (How's that for name dropping hahah.)
And secondly the 

vast array of subject matter and styles.

Why do artists paint the things they do?

I think you have to be challenged by what you choose to paint and 

above all you have to love it.

The competition in these shows is fierce and there's lots of rejection
but I love that competition and am amazed every single time I get through the judging.

To me the lessons learned and the exposure is worth it.

Encore

It has been busy to say the least.

Some of it good busy and some of it not so good.

But in between I manage to actually sit at my table and focus.

"Encore", Watercolor, 22" x 30"

©Carmella Tuliszewski

A little intense with the color this one is.

That was the plan all along and I loved making all these vibrant hues work together.

When I set my bottles up in bright morning sun everything just sparkles and bounces off one another.  The shadows of violet, fuchsia and lime green enhance the color of the bottles and change the fabric beneath everywhere they land.

I begin in the back and labor over one bottle at a time.

I'm an instant gratification junkie and need to see finished pieces as I go.

The colors need to be layered many times to get the effect of tints and shades.

It usually is a slow go but the process is the thing for me.

Almost there at this point.

I use as little white as possible,

usually just to hit tiny highlights at the very end.

I use Winsor & Newton Colourless Art Masking Fluid.

Always works very well.

This is painted on 300 lb Arches Cold Press 

watercolor paper, which I do not soak and stretch.

I believe the colors stay more true when the sizing is not washed off and

I do not like to be encumbered by a board under the paper.

At least not on these large pieces.

And here is where it began.

A long process indeed but to me so worth it.

So back to my busy life, in the garden, with my grandchildren,

hanging out with my newly retired husband and 

trying to keep the house clean and the food cooked!

Happy Mother's Day!