Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI - WATERCOLOR/WATER MEDIA - My passion is teaching adult “beginners”. Weekly classes in my home; workshops; classes for Cincinnati Recreation Commission. My work is nationally recognized and published - see “Featured” on my sidebar. I’m a Signature Member of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana state Watercolor Societies, Cincinnati Art Club, past-President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. Contact info below under “Class Information”

Friday, September 17, 2010

TRAINS - 1

Since I'm not painting right now - too tired, too busy with other things for a while - I'm going to put up some "old" paintings that you might enjoy - and the subject will be TRAINS!
Baldwin Engine 90 (Watercolor)
Several years ago my husband and I made a trip to Pennsylvania which took us to Johnstown (site of the famous Johnstown Flood); past the location of the crash of (9-11) Flight 93; Hershey (where we toured the factory and got chocolate!); Intercourse (yep, that’s really the name) and Bird in Hand, both Amish centers; and Chadd’s Ford, home of the Wyeths and their museum. We also went to Strasbourg, home of the railroad museum.

We took a train ride on an open car behind a steam engine through the Amish countryside. Wow, it was beautiful. I took quite a few pictures, but missed what would have been the best – as we rounded a curve there was an Amish farmer with horses and equipment hitched up – but I wasn’t as quick with my camera as the train was rounding the curve!

On the way home I “painted” a couple of the paintings in my head and, unbelievably, they turned out to be just as good on paper as they were in my head!

This is the front of the locomotive. It was painted on Saunders Waterford paper which is very soft. I like to glaze, and by the time I got to the final touches, just when I wanted to be very tiny and specific with my paint, the paper was as soft as a desk blotter. Just a tiny touch with the brush would cause an instant bleed.

After I finished this painting I knew I could truly handle watercolor!

17 comments:

Gretchen Bjornson ART said...

Oh wow! This one would be fun to see up close and personal.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Sounds like you are on your way to good health after your heart attack... be patient, take this time to catch up on some reading you've put off or some movies you've been meaning to see. Write down your artistic ideas so you don't forget them ... then when the energy comes you'll be well rested and very motivate.

Love your painting of the train. Thank you for re-visiting your older paintings.

Vicki Greene said...

I am glad that you received a good report from your doctor. The train painting is excellent! I also enjoy seeing your work whether past or current.

debwardart said...

Gretchen, Nancy and Vicki - glad you like this one - it's one of my favorite paintings I've done! Also thanks for the well wishes!

Diana said...

Deb love this train, it is wonderful. please take care and rest, read lots of novels.. the happy kind and just take it slow. So glad you got a good report from the dr. Love your work, Diana

debwardart said...

Thanks Diana - I'm taking it easy!

debwardart said...

Thanks Teuvo, you have some beautiful photos!

Cindi said...

im checking in a bit late.. but the old better late than nver applies.. ihope!!! sorry about your recent attack.. so glad it was minor one and hopefully with all the nice docs and meds, you are armed with info, to being even better than ever... big hugs friend.. take it easy!!

debwardart said...

Thanks for the well wishes Cindi! Glad you have time for the blogs again and hope all is well with you!

mollie jones said...

Ditto on taking care of yourself Deb. Now..this painting..I don't believe you could have captured the gradations/shadows on this painting any better...they're just perfect (not to mention your color blending).

debwardart said...

Thanks Mollie! I like your red teapot and stripes; have never tried stripes but they look quite intriguing.

Lisa Walsh said...

Love, love, love this! Gorgeous subtle coloration in the front of the engine, and the reflection in the headlight is a perfect focal point. Bravo!

debwardart said...

Thanks Lisa - I knew there was a reason I like you (LOL!!!)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

So wondereful to read all the signs are good for a great recovery with that excellent medical team advising you. What a great idea to post a series of train paintings from earlier days. Most interesting and they look so softly colourful. Sorry about the triple fights with lorry drivers. Glad you had the quick responses working for you to avert danger. Keep up the good work and raise that BP soonest - we can't have you swooning all over the place early morning or not.

debwardart said...

Joan, I love the true English language and had to think a moment about the lorry drivers! From now on all truck drivers will be lorry drivers to me!!! Not to much swooning now, thank goodness!

Nick said...

that could be my fave of yours, I hope it's BIG. great piece, and a great departure from what we usually see in train paintings. gave me a quick sort of Charles D. rush!

debwardart said...

Thanks Nick - glad you approve! It's not as big as your paintings, tho!!