Purple Phalaenopsis....Completed!

Although it was a challenge and kept me on my toes the whole time, my Purple Phalaenopsis is now completed.

It went from almost finding itself inside the kitchen trash can a couple of times to one of my favorites. That is really the way art goes though......you just never know.

When I last left off, the area underneath the painting had not yet been completed. I decided when I first started this painting that I wanted to have the orchid growing from bark. I thought it would look very textural and organic and really add a special touch to the painting. It took a while to get the bark looking just the way I wanted it too but I was finally able to create bark that has a real "texture" to it.

This moth orchid is painted in acrylic on 1 1/2" deep gallery canvas. The overall dimensions are 14" x 18".

The black background and bark are carried around all the sides. You will even find some bark chips on the bottom of the canvas.......

I'm really happy that I decided to go with the black background as I think it makes the painting "pop".

In the beginning......there was just a blank canvas and an idea which eventually developed into a sketch.

In the end.......the purple moth orchid or "Purple Phalaenopsis"is complete!! Coming soon to my website and my etsy shop... http://www.artfulcreations.etsy.com/ .

I've already got my eye on the next project I want to do.....a 24" x 30" still life orchid scene on gallery canvas. Before I take on that large task though, I'm working on an antique ceiling tin with african violets so stay tuned........

Phalaenopsis Painting Progress .......

This painting has proven to be very challenging but definately worth the extra work. There were quite a few times I thought I would just have to trash the whole thing, as in, really throw it in the trash. Luckily when it became too much, I had the presence of mind to just "STOP" and put it aside....facing the wall, so I couldn't even look at it or think about it. This strategy really helped clear my mind and now the painting and I are in a good place together. The above is where I left off when I last showed pictures of my progress. I wasn't even sure what color my Orchid's blooms would be at this point.

Here you can see that I've decided on purple.......my favorite color.

I'm just basing in come of the colors at this point to decide what I want to do and how I want to do it.

The front bloom is now completed. I used combinations of many colors to give this Phalaenopsis a vibrant , colorful, "pop off the canvas" look.

I like how the colors show so nicely against this black background.

The second bloom is done except for the center.

Here the first 3 blooms have been fully finished. I'm really happy with the shape this painting is taking so far. To be continued............