A local gallery is having a show of artists' self-portraits along with their current work. This is not something I do very often, but I was challenged by the task. So, here I am working on it. I am playing with colors that I like. The nose definitely needs more work!
"Yard Long Roses" by Ann McCann 12 x 36" Oil
Victorians loved their yard long prints of flowers. I do too but they are pretty pricey to buy and are often damaged. So, I decided to paint my own with five pink-red roses. This needs a special spot, long and thin.
"Cherries on the Lake" by Ann McCann 11 X 14 Oil
I did a smaller one of this scene several years ago and decided to improve on it. These cherry trees are at the Dallas Arboretum and their trees are probably the only ones in Dallas. I happened to visit on my birthday in February and they were in full bloom. They were so lovely against the blue of White Rock Lake.
"Cone Blues" by Ann McCann 16 X 20 Oil
I used to have both pink cone flowers and giant blue salvia in my garden. They were gorgeous together. The salvia had long since gone but the cone flowers have stuck around. This is a memory painting for me.
"East Dallas Home Portrait" by Ann McCann Watercolor and Ink
I did this watercolor home portrait for a client that was moving to a new home. They had lived there for 11 years but with three children had outgrown the space. She wanted a remembrance for her and her husband. I love these old fashion driveways. You can also see the giant old crape myrtles that are in gorgeous full bloom right now.
"Violet Symphony" by Ann McCann 16 X 20 Oil
I have been holding this for a while to decide whether or not I am done. Today I have decided! As with other iris paintings, this is my neighbor's garden across the street. This is what the garden looks like in the early morning in the bright sunlight, white and violet.
"Light & Shadow Crape Myrtles" by Ann McCann 20 X 20" Oil
This was actually the first of the three crape myrtle paintings. I was sitting at a traffic light and noticed the beautiful shadows on the rather plain apartment building. The trees also cast shadows on the ground. I came back after work and took photos so I could paint this in my studio.
"Crape Shadows" by Ann McCann 20 X 20" Oil
Continuing with my crape myrtle theme, this painting captures the pink deep flowers and their colorful shadows cast on a white wall. Again, this is on the abstract spectrum for me. There is a lot of color here.
"Crape Sky" by Ann McCann 20 X 20 Oil
The crapes are blooming all over Dallas, and they are gorgeous this year. So, I decided to feature them today. This is my somewhat abstract portrayal of the deep pink blossoms against the hot, turquoise sky. This is a happy painting!
"Light and Shadow Cone Flowers" by Ann McCann 20 x 20 Oil
I have been working on this for two weekends and I am still not quite done. But I am close. I always forget how long architecture takes. I like the shadows as well as the flowers here. Every year I have more and more pink/purple cone flowers in my front yard. We just let them do what they want!
"Lady Banks in the Magic Garden" by Ann McCann at the Dutch Art Gallery
Here is my painting now on display at the Dutch Art Gallery spring show. The theme was the "Sound of Color" and I chose the song "Magic Garden" by the Fifth Dimension. I know, it dates me! I love the little poem they have at the end- "It's so soft and warm behind those hedges, no hard edges, no hard edges."
"Mountain Path" 16 X 20 Oil (c)Ann McCann 2018
"Mountain Path" by Ann McCann 16 X 20 Oil
This mountain path is above the Jerusalem poppy field I featured earlier. It was twilight and the light was golden. The three fir trees were giant sentinels against the glowing sky. The lights were just coming on in the distant town.
"Purple Vine Patio" 20 X 20 Oil(c) Ann McCann
"Purple Vine Patio" by Ann McCann 20 X 20 Oil
I was walking down Betzalel Street in Jerusalem on the way to my daughter's apartment and looked into this patio. I loved the beautiful blue-purple vine and snapped a photo. I did a watercolor sketch immediately and just finished this oil painting. It really says "welcome." I still don't know what the vine is but it was blooming all over the city.
"Swiss Ave House Portrait" by Ann McCann 8 X 10 Watercolor
I just finished a house portrait commission for a client. What a gorgeous house to paint! This is mostly about drawing, about 4 hours of it, especially when it is on such a small piece of paper. Shall I do yours? They make nice gifts too.