Popping Poppies

Poppies are one of my favorite flowers. They just seemed to organically emerge as I started painting, and the pastels made the shapes move and flow naturally with that pent up energy just before the vibrant red blooms fully burst open.

This painting is Day 37 of #abstractartfor40dayschallenge from 2021 during the pandemic. Online challenges are meant to help artists  and the curious create new work and practice skills with simple guidelines. This was a challenge that helped me try new color combinations and to loosen up a bit, you know, have some fun!

I am SO excited to announce that these joyful poppies have been accepted into "In Bloom", a juried members virtual exhibition by Create! Collective (presented by Create! Projects which is the curatorial part of the collective). Jurors are Ekaterina Popova and Alicia Puig (PXP Contemporary). Visit the exhibition here: https://www.artsy.net/show/create-projects-in-bloom-a-create-collective-member-showcase

Titled "Popping Poppies", a pastel on 600 grit Uart paper (sanded paper), 9" H x 12" W unframed. I used crushed bits of pastel, alcohol wash spritzes and then smearing in each color individually for a freestyle version of these lovely and exuberant flowers.