Windswept
Sometimes paintings take time to be realized. I’ve had a series of icebergs puttering on my studio desk since June when I made a series of small studies. I’m happy to finally share this one as complete!
![Windswept, 18" x 24" watercolor](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2014/09/windswept_kullorsuaq-800x610.jpg)
The painting is inspired by a photo I took during series of stormy days in Kullorsuaq, Greenland. First I completed a small study.
![Windswept, 5" x 7" watercolor study](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2014/06/kullorsuaqwind-800x575.jpg)
I worked with a limited palette, inspired by my field sketches and other iceberg paintings including Storm Front.
![Cerulean Blue Chromium, Deep Scarlet, Raw Sienna, Phthalo Green (green shade), and Indanthrone Blue.](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2014/09/colors-800x179.jpg)
While painting, I keep watercolor paper scraps on my desk to explore and test colors.
![My studio desk](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2014/09/windswept_studio-800x489.jpg)
It always feels good to finish a painting! This one will exhibit this winter in my Imaging the Arctic exhibition at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle.
6 Responses to “Windswept”
Danielle
That is beautiful, Maria! I love the moodiness of the sky, and the depth of the scene out to the misty horizon. Thank you for sharing the palette that you used — so amazing to see how such bright colors can be used to create such interesting shades of grey and blue — the ice seems to glow on the page! Makes me cold just looking at it…
Soren & Shelly
Maria, we found your art after reading “Myths of the Tusk” by Dr. Laidre and O. Curtsinger (the son of a friend of ours here in Port Townsend). My six-year-old son says, “It helps me to imagine what the life of a polar bear is like.” I love that you posted a photo of your studio desk. Thanks for sharing your art. We are your admirers!
Luisella
Hi Maria, next time I’m in your pages. Great! I see here your studio and so I ask to you: what light do you use when there is not the day light, please? I’m old and my eyes are not more very good so I need a lot of light if I wish to watercolor or design in the evening when I have more time only for me. I’m a Mediterranean Italian woman so I love light! Thanks!
Maria
Hi Luisella, I use two bright fluorescent blubs and an Ottlite natural daylight lamp. Lighting is tricky, I do prefer to paint during the day when possible.
Cindy
See several references to pthalo green green shade. Have not been able to find this
Maria
Whoops! I think I was mixed up, it should be “Blue Shade” (instead of their other option, “Yellow Shade”). I apologize for my mistake!