Flowers, Gardening and Painting: 100 Flowers # 11

Flowers, gardening and painting…

Prismacolor pencil on paper

© Holly Herick

Where has my passion for painting flowers come from? I grew up in Arizona where flowers were maybe not as big, beautiful and bright as they are in Oregon. After having children, I became more interested in nurturing things. Whether it be a child, flowers, or creativity; I knew it was important to nurture. In Scottsdale, Arizona the weather was often hot—too hot to weed a garden. I did not like taking care of the yard when I was young. It seemed like a chore, using too much water—a precious resource. Now that I have lived in a more temperate climate in Southern Oregon, with more rain, I feel more inclined to the use of water, the climate and nurturing flowers. Painting flowers has been a life long study of nature beginning in the Arizona dessert with California Poppies on the Four Peaks of Scottsdale, AZ and concluding with the flowers native to Southern Oregon. Most of these images come from my memory. Whether it be the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona, Oahu, Hawaii or Portland, Oregon; it is all committed to memory. Somewhere from my mind, come the images in these floral paintings. Favorite flowers of mine include multi-petaled flowers including Hydrangeas, Gerber Daisies, Peonies, Austin Roses, Poppies, Ranunculuses and more.

Look at my paintings and guess what flowers may have influenced my paintings. Sometimes I don’t even know…

Above is the next one, what kind of flower is this? Prismacolor pencil on paper.

Follow my blog and come along on my new

creative adventure.

XOXO,
Holly

100 FLOWERS: #5

I’m not bored anymore. Here is Flower #5

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

From my mind. Please comment if you this painting reminds you of a certain flower. Also, prints and cards can be purchased through fineartamerica, see the link in my right column.

XOXO,
Holly

I’m Bored: Announcing “100 Flowers”

I’m bored. As you may know, many artists get bored easily—that’s why us creative types are always trying something new. I have completed “100 faces” but I have not posted them all. I think some of you were maybe getting bored with them too? If you want to see the complete collection you will have to go to fineartamerica.com. They are not all up yet; it takes time to format the images for the site and it takes away from my painting time—just one of the issues of being a one-woman business.

Announcing “100 Flowers”

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

With EVERYTHING in bloom, I have been inspired to start painting 100 Flowers. This should be fun, as I love gardening. I do not intend these paintings to be realistic  but some of them may be. Usually, with my graphic design background, I like to simplify things. Here is Flower #1 which was created about two years ago—inspired from a rose called Pat Austin. This image  is also available as a print or note cards etc. at fineartamerica.com.

Most of these paintings will be inspired from my own garden; however, if you would like to submit a favorite photo from your own garden, I will consider painting it. Send photos to hollyherick@charter.net.

Follow my blog and come along on my new
creative adventure.

XOXO,
Holly

FurnARTure

Third Annual FurnARTure Auction for the Studio at Living Opportunities

Once again this year I will be donating a piece of furniture or “FurARTure” to the Studio at Living Opportunities. On October 7, 2012 at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville, Oregon from 2-5 pm, the Studio at Living Opportunities will hold the Third Annual FurARTure Auction. Artist from around the Rogue Valley will gather together and donate their art to benefit the Studio at Living Opportunities. This year the auction will include a raffle for a fabulous wine rack painting by Gabriel Lipper—including almost $2000 of wine. Anything Gabriel paints is worth tens of thousands so these raffle tickets will go fast. Raffle tickets can be purchased from me for $50 each—what a steal! (winner does not need to be present to win). Last year I painted a pre-set table which you can see below and read more about here.

© Holly Herick. FurnARTure piece 2011.

This year I am also painting a table and I am super excited about it.

© Holly Herick. In process: the paint is visibly wet in this photo.

My table design is loosely based on a zinnia flower. I have been working on it over the past month. If you are interested in bidding on this table you will have to attend the fabulously fun and feel-good event that is the Third Annual FurnARTure Auction to benefit the Studio at Living Opportunities. Tickets are $25 per person and include a bidding number, live music, appetizers, beer and wine. You can contact me for tickets or call Living Opportunities at 541.772.1503.

Poster design by Snapshot Group

During the Third Friday Artwalk in Medford on September 21, 2012 Terra Firma Home will be hosting a sneak preview of the furnARTure that will be auctioned this year.  The Third Friday Artwalk event will be from 5-7 pm at 309 East Main Street,
Medford, Oregon. Thanks Terra Firma for your support! Did you see all the other wonderful sponsors we have on the poster? Thank you Snapshot Group, Valley Immediate Care, Southern Oregon Endodontics, Cutler Investment Group LLC, Newswatch 12Fox 26 and again, Terrra Firma.

© Holly Herick. After about seven coats of paint.

After about seven coats of paint—I think it still needs something to make it pop. It needs a little bit of the unexpected. Maybe…a little bit of purple. Did I mention that I want to keep this table? You will be prying it from my paint stained fingers at the auction. No—but really—the funds could not go to a better cause.

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

 

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This is the most up-to-date photo of my table that I am going to show you. Did I change it up a little or not? Come to the event to find out…

I have mentioned the event—all the great art, music, food, beer, wine, and great people in a beautiful historic setting in Jacksonville, but the best reason to attend this event is to support the artists of the Studio at Living Opportunities I would love to tell you all about each one of them because each artist is so special to me. To learn more about some of the artists that attend the studio workshops weekly between 2-4pm click here. Check it out—you will be amazed. And the Studio has a facebook page so like us on facebook.

New favorite blog!

Please check out this blog that I am so proud to be a part of. It is amazing that I can help people around the world through my God-given talents and connections. The “Love from Me” project is dedicated to people suffering from cancer. In this blog you will find many artist whom have dedicated their art to friends who have been through cancer. My dedication is to my friend Wendy. “Foxgloves for Wendy” was painted around the time that Wendy fought and died of breast cancer. Here is my page from the book that is being created to honor cancer sufferers.

"Love from Me" by Sara Harley

When it becomes available I will share the link so that you may purchase the book in order to support those whom have suffered in your life.

Every Once in a While

Ever feel like your stagnant? Nothing new going on, looking for inspiration? I go out in the garden and look for beautiful things—flowers, bugs, sky, colors. this time of year I am lucky to have things growing and blooming. If we have one week of hot weather, things will burst open. I can’t wait to share with you. Today, I found these wonderful flowers—and a few bugs. The Bleeding Hearts interest me the most. Maybe I will get a chance to paint them soon.

Bleeding Hearts: There is something special about a flower close up. The ultimate “art” of our Creator.

Cream colored tulip. Black bug exploring petals.

Climbing Clematis, “Sunset”

Lupine.

Spanish Lavender. Happy Bees.

Stock.

Flowers on steps. Anyone know what this one is called?

I love to look at flowers and bugs, anything close up. What’s your favorite? What makes you wonder—what makes stop to look and admire creation? If you would like to paint with me, I wold love it, contact me below.