Inviting Retreat

Alisa and Scott’s last name is Patterson. Their children named their home “Pattergonia” and that’s what everyone calls it. When they visited the Amalfi Coast they had a tile name plate made that is shown in the picture above. One of the first requests for this special commission was to include the sign. Horizontal guidelines are drawn into the background of the tile that has been painted with mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue and White + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson). Next “Pattergonia” is roughly lettered in to determine the spacing of the calligraphy. You may click on the image to see an enlargement.

The final version of the lettering is now made into the wet paint of the background using some of the blue mixture left over from the tea pot and cups.

Alisa mentioned that she wasn’t really happy with the corner designs on the tile they received from Positano. So I’ve decided to design my own using the heart motif from the tea pot and cups. I first draw my idea on the glass palette with a mix of MUD + Liquin. It’s very easy to make changes on the glass. I can just wipe away what I don’t like and try again until I’m satisfied with the final result which is shown above.

I’m using all Blue for the corners to go with Alisa and Aimee’s collection of blue and white china.

White Daisies fill the terra cotta containers below the hanging pot. The flowers are first blocked in with mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue, White + Dioxazine Purple and White + Pthalo Blue. Then the foliage is painted around the masses of White with Sap Green + Lemon Yellow, Sap Green + Lemon Yellow + White and Magenta + Liquin.

Pure White highlights the Daisy petals illuminated by the sun. Next, dark centers are made in the flowers with MUD + Liquin.

Then a dot of Cadmium Yellow Medium is made in the middle of the dark spot (#1). To finish up the flowers a tiny speck of MUD + Liquin is made right in the center of the Yellow dot (#2).

A mixture of White + Ultramarine Blue is dragged straight down to indicate the water cascading from the upper bowl of the fountain. The paint is allowed to skip and bump over the underlying texture, giving the impression of movement.

The cheery Sunflowers are blocked in with Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD and Cadmium Yellow Medium. The large triangular shaped leaves are made with several shades of Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow. I’ll finish the blossoms and leaves in front of the soccer ball after it’s painted.

But first let’s put in the large, dark centers that instantly identify these as Sunflowers!

The soccer ball is covered with mixes of White + MUD, then the distinctive pattern is drawn into the wet paint with MUD + Liquin. My wrist is braced on the Mahl Stick, hooked over the top of my easel, to steady my hand. To learn more about my Mahl Stick, CLICK HERE.

The dark patches are added with Ivory Black.

Another fun personal touch is to etch the University of Indiana Logo on the ball with some of the red paint remaining from the Geraniums.

The large, cheerful blossoms in front of the ball are painted, giving it a snug spot to nestle!

Inviting Retreat

Jack was always the official “Namer” in our family. I absolutely struggle when it comes to naming paintings and have really missed his input. But when I started working on this piece a name immediately came to my mind, “Inviting Retreat”. After the last blog I received a beautiful email from Alisa, here’s an excerpt: “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me watching you paint this for us. It’s such a peaceful scene. “Pattergonia” represents so much to our family. It’s a made up name for a place, that is really a feeling and a way of life for all of us. You are embodying the beauty of our lives. Your picture fills me with happiness every time I look at your blog.”

Somehow I think God may have channeled that name to me from Jack in Heaven, it’s perfect! “Inviting Retreat” has been so fun to paint and I appreciate you following along on the journey. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments and encouragement. With BIG HUGS,

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