Copyright April M Rimpo

Visit April's website www.amrart.org
Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

"Morning in NYC" 23.5" X 16" watercolor

Morning in NYC
Morning in NYC
Morning in NYC
watercolor
23.5" X 16" image
31" X 23" brushed silver frame
$1700

My husband and I typically travel to NYC at least once a year to take in some shows on Broadway, visit some art museums, or visit historic sites.  This painting was inspired during a trip with our son, during which we visited the Empire State Building.  The views from the Empire State Building are magnificent. We had gone early in the day so morning light played across the city.  I took quite a few photographs, as I am inclined to do. I am always composing paintings in my view finder so I take several photographs with slightly different zoom or perspectives of the same place.  After the trip this view of the New Yorker Building kept speaking to me. At the time of the trip I wasn't technically ready to take on this scene, but after a few more years of working with watercolor I finally decided to take rise to the challenge. 

I started by doing a drawing on tracing paper, figuring the first time out might not work. I also knew getting the architectural angles right was critical and that some erasing would be involved.  Drawing on tracing paper meant all that erasing would not mar my watercolor paper. Once the drawing was complete I transfered the drawing to the watercolor paper and off I went. Much to my delight the painting came out just as I wanted it, so I didn't have to paint multiple versions.

I submitted this painting to the National Watercolor Society (NWS) International exhibit and was delighted that Morning in NYC was accepted.  I was so surprised since NWS receives nearly 1000 entries for this exhibit each year.  I was one of 93 artists accepted into this prestigious show.  Two others in this exhibit are artists I admire from whom I have taken workshops: Chen-khee Chee was one of the first few artists I took a workshop from and Nicholas Simmons introduced me to fluid acrylic and a new way of looking at my work. Both workshops were invaluable to me.  To be in a show with them was a delight.

Exhibition update: in 2014, Morning in NYC traveled to Houston to be included in the Watercolor Art Society -Houston.  There it was exhibited with a many wonderful paintings.  The first place winner was a painting by John Salminen, another artist from whom I have taken a workshop.   After returning home, I decided to enter it in the Maryland Federation of Art's National exhibition American Landscapes, which resulted in a trip to Annapolis, Maryland to exhibit in that show.

I haven't felt this much satisfaction in something I have done in a very long time; my decision to refocus on art has been validated.   Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me and sent me feedback.  It is much appreciated.  Now I've got to try to get my feet back on the ground so I can finish the painting I'm currently working on.

Click here to see available prints

12 comments:

  1. Congratulations, April, you so deserve this wonderful honor. Your overhead view of this magical city is captured by your light and ability to translate all the action that makes up NYC. Great work!! Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Betsy. I was up in the Empire State Building when I took the photo. Of course I had to take a few liberties in the painting.

      Delete
  2. Also April, would u pls say more about how Nicholas Simmons helped you see your work in a new way? thx
    Trisha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicholas taught us a variety of techniques to add texture to our paintings. I had always loved textural effects in oils and other media, but not watercolor. The old salt trick didn't really excite me. By having a new arsenal of techniques I was able to envision a new direction for my work and let me see places that could be improved in my work that had not been obvious to me before.

      Delete
  3. Congrats, April! That's a beautiful painting. I'm glad you are focusing on something you love and succeeding at doing so. Engineer, singer, artist: you truly are a renaissance woman who can do it all!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haven't sung in a long time. Glad you liked my painting. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. And thanks, Carl, for forwarding this to me. April, I can only echo what Carl said - and I'm also happy that you are so happy. I'm watching your blog now - look forward to more good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After Carl's comment about singing I was wondering how to track you down. I'm so glad Carl forwarded the link.

      Delete
  6. Love the painting April!! You have worked so hard you deserve to be in the exhibit. Don't be surprised by your success! Still so jealous of your retirement. Laura M.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words, Laura. Retirement from one career so I can start up a different career based on a hobby certainly has been great. You'll get there.

      Delete
  7. Excellent accolade for you April. Those of us that know you are not surprised at all by your success at any of your chosen endeavors. Bruce B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Bruce. I appreciate all the support from my friends.

      Delete

I look forward to hearing from you. - April

Most Popular Posts This Month

Most Popular Posts of All Time