Each season while my roses and strawberries are in bloom, I photograph them and use them as a reference for a new painting. I’ve done this for the past 5 or six years and I can honestly say that it has not gotten easier – and it may never. That’s okay. My roses have so many densely “swirling” petals, as I would describe it. In theory, one is suppose to simplify the form based on highlights, middle tones and shadows, but in the case of my roses the petals are so thin and tight that I’ve never been able to substantially simplify the form. Overall, I like the shapes and colors. Below: I created a master study this past week as well.

I didn’t attempt to truly complete the reference image but I did enough to serve the purpose of doing such study. The reference has been in my studio for several years awaiting my attention. I liked the block of differing broken color in the upper area of his painting. I m always challenged by backgrounds and this is an approach I will try in my paintings. That’s pretty much the point of painting master studies – paying attention to how the masters painted and resolved their paintings. The artist Modigliani often did broken color blocking as well. He’s another of my favorite artist. My interest in this painting actually stops where that white fabric of the lower skirt starts. I probably should have ended my painting effort there. I found the bottom of his painting not particularly interesting and that white of her skirt distracting.

THE RESISTANCE: Tomorrow, May 14, 2025 should be the greatest protest demonstration against this administration we’ve seen. I believe there may well be millions of democracy loving individuals who take to the streets. in my opinion, Donald is the most corrupt, cruel, and criminal person in this country with his power amplified by virtue of the immunity granted by the Supreme Court. I want to vomit at the thought of the military parade tomorrow. I won’t watch it, of course. I’ll watch coverage of the new Pope and the many demonstrations. It was interesting to see how the media, and Twitter was used to amplify the California protest as justification for calling in the National Guards and the Marines!. It’s the first time I’ve so clearly seen that maneuver, though I think it is used regularly. And of course Donald is grand standing and telling lies to make the protest appear larger and disorderly. For sure he created a distraction which took the ELON attacks largely out of the news. Having hired half of Fox “News”, in his cabinet, they all are skilled at changing media focus. Gavin Newsom, however, has done a great job in fighting back. Stay safe tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day! Winifred

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