Sun Flower-Color Inspiration

I was juried into a show in March and am allowed to show 7 works.  The show said I could show my collage work or the dried flower series.  I decided to show the flower series and thought I would try and do a few smaller pieces for the show since I already have a number of larger paintings done.   I want to try a few  12" x 12" size to see what kind of a composition I could work into the square formatt.  I tried two differnent shades of blue for this painting and still am not sure if this is the right one for the background.  My color palette was inspired by a book I have on the California group of painters know as the Society of Six; http://www.askart.com/askart/interest/society_of_six_1.aspx?id=35
 Anyone out there in cyber space have a comment on the blue background ? I sure would be appreciate some comment on the color and composition.

Sites to See

http://www.paintblog.ca/

http://artoutthere.blogspot.com/

http://makingamark.blogspot.com/

http://www.artistaday.com/

I thought I would posts some interesting art sites  Several of them feature an artists they have discovered online and talk about their work.  I find it a great way to discover new artists...something I spend too much time doing, but am thrilled when I find an artists work I just fall in love with.

The last site "artist a day"  is intesting if you are willing to put your art out there and perhaps have good critisism or maybe bad.  I haven't had the courage to send a picture of any of my work yet, but will let you know when I do. Have any of you done it yet???.

Audubon Society BIRD Show (SOLD)

If you happen to live in the Portland Oregon area, next Saturday and Sunday, the 21st and 22nd come see the Wild Arts Festival put on by the Audubon Society of Portland.  Artists were given small 6" x 6" gallery wrapped canvas to create any kind of bird art.  These are my two that I donanted to them.  The show opens at 10:00 am and the sale of the 6 x 6 begins at 11:00.  In addition to the donated art there will be many other artists and book authors with their displays. The list of writers and artists can be viewed on their website

http://www.audubonportland.org/

An Update to my recent post....I went to the show today Saturday the 21st and have to let anyone in the Portland area know how great a show it is.  I was thrilled that my two paintings sold right away, but I did have a dear friend who purchased one of them.( http://www.wendydehart.com/)

 Besides enjoying the wonderful art and fine craft at the show I was in awe of Ruby a live Turkey Vulture/ Buzzard that lives at the Adubon Society here in Portland.  She (Ruby) was at the show with her handler and I have to say she was spectacular in the most ugly way.  Her head was pink and so were her legs and talons.   My friend Dave was there with his super duper Canon Rebel camera and he shot some pictures of her for me.  As soon as I get them I will post her picture.  If the pictures inspire me I hope to attempt to paint some pictures of her.