"First Look" a 12" X 12" Watercolor on Aquabord

 

First Look © April M Rimpo

First Look

Watercolor on Aquabord™

12" X 12" Painting

in a 13.5" X 13.5" Black Wood Floater Frame

$500

This sweet little fawn was born in the tall grass in our yard. Who knew that negligence, due to a lot of rain, would result in a perfect hiding place for the doe to deliver her fawn.  We were fortunate to have a view looking down into this spot from our living room.  My husband and I both took pictures as we watched our new neighbor.  

I believe this was its first time standing as it looked about on the world. Not long later the mother arrived to check on her fawn, who walked over to nurse. They sure get moving quickly. We were so honored to witness these early hours of the baby fawn's life.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her twice-monthly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

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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.

Moment to Relax, 15.5" X 15.5" watercolor on Aquabord

Guatemalan Girl by April M. Rimpo

Moment to Relax

watercolor

15.5" X 15.5" on varnished Aquabord™

$525

Available through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
info@horsespiritartsgallery.com
301-490-2001
www.HorseSpiritArtsGallery.com

Normally I paint on watercolor paper, but not so for Guatemalan Girl.  Ampersand™ has a product called Aquabord™ that has a deep cradle made from 2" birch plywood strips that are attached flush with the back edge of the pane.  They make a nice presentation, so framing is not required.  The medium on the board is designed for use with aqueous media.  I found it had some of the same properties as watercolor paper, but I did have to be careful about how long I worked on an area to keep it from getting too soft.  When the painting was complete I varnished the surface so it can hang without glass.

I wanted to fragment the image so I chose 5" square aquabord and designed the piece so each segment would be an interesting painting in its own right.  The exact placement of her body in each frame was carefully crafted to create interesting abstract in each panel.

I considered an exhibit where each segment could be purchased separately.  If sold separately the girl would be shared among the various buyers.  It would be interesting to bring the buyers together to meet and foster new relationships through my art.

The more I thought about the logistics I feared it would be very difficult to hang the segments so they remain properly aligned when hung as a whole.  It seemed like aligning the segments might be a nightmare for me and the gallery, so in the end I attached the 9 panels to a sheet of Plexiglas™ and drill a slotted hole in the Plexiglas where it could be hung from a nail. 

I still like the idea of displaying art so separate pieces form one image while the individual works are sold separately.  Perhaps if I do this as a single line of paintings instead of a square of nine paintings the logistics of hanging would be reduced.  Let me know what you think about this idea.

IInterested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her twice-monthly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

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.

Graceful Draping 10" X 10" watercolor on Aquabord

Graceful Draping, Watercolor on Aquabord, by April M Rimpo

Graceful Draping
Watercolor on Aquabord™

10" X 10"
in 11" X 11" black floater frame

Available through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery

To be featured in an Online Feature Show May 17 - June 7, 2020

There’s a house not far from where I live that comes alive in the summer as an old Wisteria that nearly encases the front porch blooms. It’s a magnificent sight that takes my breath away.  Several times I pulled to the side of the road so I could take photographs from a variety of angles.  I’ve struggled with how to do it justice, so in this 10” X 10” painting on Ampersand™  Aquabord™  I decide just to paint one small corner of the porch so I could share these beautiful blooms. Some day I’ll be brave and take a much larger view, but for now I’m delighted with Graceful Draping and hope you love it too.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her twice-monthly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Select as many topics as sound of interest. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

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.

Looking Back - Watercolor on 10" X 10" Aquabord

Looking Back a 10" X 10" Watercolor on Aquabord
by April M Rimpo

Looking Back

Watercolor on Aquabord

10" X 10"

Varnished and in a Black Wood Floater Frame

Looking Back is inspired by the Arizona Living Pioneer Museum in Pioneer, AZ. The museum has changed drastically since I took this photo. We were there in the 1980s when I remember only a single museum building with no one dressed in historic clothing.  I'm not sure if all of this equipment is still scattered behind what was the main museum building. Nothing like capturing the history of a history museum. You know I love capturing light in my photos. We must have been there mid-day and the intense Arizona sun poured down on this old equipment creating a great contrast between the tops of things, such as the seats and wheels, with dark shadow essentially everywhere else.  Of course, rust also turns quite dark over time, looking nearly black, but you can still see here and there the burnt orange color of rust.

I was particularly enthralled with the small distant building and had to include that since it was so vivid in my memory. We never knew the story behind that building.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her twice-monthly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Select as many topics as sound of interest. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

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.

"The Firehouse" 14" X 11" Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

The Firehouse by April M Rimpo

The coming of fall is always a time to celebrate in paintings. Fall colors complement the brick and natural stone in Ellicott City.  The yellow building of The Firehouse Museum stands proud in this historic town.

When I decided to paint scenes from Ellicott City there was a wealth of material begging for attention.  The hard part was deciding what to paint first.

You can tell the people of Ellicott City love their town. The old town center is beautifully maintained and, as you can see in The Firehouse, American flags fly out front of several shops. 

Now a museum, the firehouse was first built in 1889 and was the first firehouse in Howard County. According to the Howard County website is was used after 1923 as a meeting hall, county office space, and a library. It is located at the intersection of Main Street and Church Road.

The Firehouse

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

14" X 11"

$375

Original painting SOLD
Prints available through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery

Other paintings of Ellicott City can be found here:

• B and O Caboose
• Ellicott City II
• Welcome Since 1772

Aquabord is a trademark of Ampersand

April M Rimpo Video of "Summer in the City" Exhibit

I'm to happy with my exhibit at Artists & Makers Studios. The work really came together nicely as a tribute to cities across the United States. For those who have not been able to see the exhibit in person, here are all the paintings in the exhibit.  

If you have an opportunity to visit Artists & Makers at 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland you will love them in person. The lighting is perfect and really makes them pop.

You should also visit my Urban Gallery on my website to see some of these and additional urban paintings.

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo 2016 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Morning Song - Day 14 of the 30 Day Challenge

Surprise! Yesterday I said I would be wrapping up the Energy triptych today, but I felt more like painting a little bird again, so I bring you Morning Song.  Like the Chickadee I produced for Day 11, the Golden Finch is another bird that frequents our yard year long.  In the spring the yellow of he males nearly vibrates with color.  It clearly screams out "notice me!"  About the same time the finches reach the peak of their color our morning glories begin to bloom. What a glorious time Spring is. I wish it were here.

Morning Song by April M Rimpo

Morning Song

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord

5" X 5" with 2" deep cradle

$95

Available at April's Spreesy Store

See all the art in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.

#jan30in30

Day 11 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge - Chickadee

Switching it up for Sunday.  I decided to go with something different today. 

Chickadee by April M Rimpo

We are lucky to have a number of little birds that visit our bird feeder throughout the year.  The Chickadee is a regular year round. I've loved these little guys since I was a child in Massachusetts and am happy to have them here in Maryland as well.  This little guy is holding a seed and about to peck it.

Chickadee

5" X 5" fluid acrylic on a 2" deep cradle Aquabord

$95 - SOLD

I enjoy working on these deep cradle platforms since after varnishing the painting is ready to go.

View some of my other bird paintings here.

#ShopSmall,  #jan30in30

"On Deck" a 6" X 6" acrylic on Aquabord

On Deck by April M Rimpo

On Deck

Fluid Acrylic on Ampersand Aquabord

6" X 6"

$95 framed


Available through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
mailto:info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 

Thinking back to summertime.

"B&O Caboose" 11" X 14" Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

B&O Caboose by April M Rimpo

B and O Caboose

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

11" X 14"

$375

Original SOLD 

Prints on watercolor paper available at 

HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
8090 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 
Phone: 410-461- 4505

HorseSpirit Arts Gallery

info@horsespiritartsgallery.com

410-461-3505  

You won't really find this 1927 "I-5" Caboose on the rails since the Ellicott City Railroad Station no longer operates train rides, but you will find it on display on Maryland Avenue in Ellicott City, Maryland.  That is one great thing about being an artist, you can jump back in time and sudden turn history into the present. 

Other paintings of Ellicott City can be found here:

• The Firehouse
• Ellicott City II
• Welcome Since 1772

Aquabord is a trademark of Ampersand

"Ellicott City II" "11" X 14" Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

Ellicott City II

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord

11" X 14"

$375

Original SOLD 

PRINT NOW AVAILABLE AT HORSESPIRIT ARTS GALLERY 

410.461.3505 
info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 

Entering through the Ellicott City sign on the B&O railroad track you find the former Patapsco Hotel, which was rebuilt in 1925.  At one time the second floor of the hotel served as a passenger waiting room of the B&O Railroad.

Other paintings of Ellicott City can be found here:

• The Firehouse
• B and O Caboose
• Welcome Since 1772

Aquabord is a trademark of Ampersand

Inspired at the Montgomery County Fair

In August my husband and I visited with my college roommate while strolling around the Montgomery County Fair.  She had been helping in the beekeeper exhibit that morning, so we met up for a long overdue visit.  One of the buildings held bunnies of every color and size and another contained rows and rows of roosters and hens.  I snapped lots of photographs, especially of the roosters and hens.  

One of my neighbors has a chicken coop.  We often hear the rooster crowing, but when I had asked her about photographing her rooster, she said I could but she didn't have a very pretty rooster and referred me to a neighbor.  So along came the Montgomery County Fair and I had no lack of choices.  Here are two that I decided to do as small acrylic paintings.  I took a lot of liberty with the color of the sitting rooster, but the standing rooster is pretty accurate.  On first glance you think this rooster is black and white, but there were many pale hues in the white feathers, which I just had to capture. You know me and color.  So enjoy these new little paintings.  I hear a kitchen calling out there somewhere that is just in need of a new spark of color.

 Sitting Rooster

Fluid Acrylic

6" X 6" Aquabord
Gold Frame
$85

SOLD

Strutting Rooster

Fluid Acrylic

10" X 8" gallery wrap canvas
$85
SOLD


;

"Ellicott City...Welcome Since 1772", 11"X14" Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord™

Welcome Since 1772 by April M Rimpo

Ellicott City is a charming town not far from where I live. It is full of art and antique shops that draw people from far and wide.  It is a favorite place for artists to paint.  In fact, each year Ellicott City holds a paint out that brings artists to town to spend a weekend painting. The result is an exhibition, held in one of the Howard Country Arts Council's Galleries.  There are so many paintings they often spill out into the hallways.

I have never taken part is this paint out, but recently decided that, since I paint places from across the United States, Provence France, and Guatemala, why not share a bit of home as well. 

Welcome Since 1772 is, I expect, the first of several paintings of Ellicott City.  The title derives from the little ribbons painted in the upper left and lower right of the Ellicott City sign, that decorates the old train bridge you pass under on the way into town.  One ribbon says, "Welcome", while the other proclaims the heritage of the town "Since 1772." 

Welcome Since 1772

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord

11" X 14"

$375

Original SOLD - Prints available at Still Life Fine Art Gallery

This painting is done using fluid acrylic on a deep cradle Aquabord™, a trademark of Ampersand.  Ampersand describes Aquabord™ as "an acid-free textured clay surface that absorbs watercolor like a fine paper."  I used a version of Aquabord™ that has a 2" deep cradle that eliminates the need for framing.   I varnished the finished piece to protect it from dirt, moisture, and discoloration. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this painting and I'd be happy to answer questions about my experience using fluid acrylic and watercolor on this painting surface.

Here are a couple watercolor paintings I did on Aquabord:

• Guatemalan Girl
• Flowers to Remember

Other paintings of Ellicott City can be found here:

• The Firehouse
• Ellicott City II
• B&O Caboose

"Flowers to Remember" 24" X 36"varnished watercolor on Aquabord

Flowers to Remember by April M Rimpo

Flowers to Remember

varnished watercolor on Aquabord

24" X 36"

SOLD

The people in Guatemala have wonderful traditions surround All Saints Day.  It is a day to celebrate their family members who have passed.  They flood into their cemeteries and spend the day together with family living and dead.  The fly kites with messages for those passed tied to the tails.  Flowers are everywhere. Streets are decorated with beautiful floral "paintings". This woman is carrying a bundle of flowers on her head as she heads into a cemetery.  The women in the background are selling flowers.  I was lucky enough to be in Antigua, Guatemala over All Saints Day to see these traditions.  Some traditions I have captured in paintings are others will certainly make their way into paintings over time.

My painting Messengers is another painting about these traditions.

*Contact April regarding shipping costs outside the United States

Lessons through Small Paintings

I've been having a blast creating small paintings for the last few weeks.  It started after a friend of mine told me she was going to do a 6"x 6" painting every day for the last 3 months of this year.  Her goal: 100 paintings in 100 days.  I decided that since I still have some large pieces I'd like to do for a variety of exhibit possibilities, that my goal would be to do one large painting and one small painting each week.

Wisteria I, 6" X 5.5" acrylic on paper

Wisteria I

by April M Rimpo

6" X 5.5"

acrylic on paper, matted and framed 10" X 8"

Available to purchase at HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 

410-461-3505  

Well, since I was finding these small pieces so enjoyable I have exceeded my small painting goal, but completed only one large painting in the last two weeks.  I'm actually okay with that, since I feel I am learning a number of new things in the process.  As you scan down the images at left, you can see that many of these were done using fluid acrylic instead of watercolor. Often I'll combine fluid acrylic with watercolor in my paintings because I like some of the textures I can create with fluid acrylic. However, in these small paintings I used only fluid acrylic.  Working very wet into wet, they appear much like watercolors, with the exception of Wisteria I, where I intentionally thickened the fluid acrylic paint with an acrylic medium to be able to raise some of the wisteria blooms up off the surface of the paper.

View by the Bridge, 7.5" X 12" acryic on paper

The two water scenes were done "en plein air" (i.e., on site outdoors). A fellow artist and I went to a lovely spot in Annapolis to paint.  Everywhere we looked was another great view asking to be painted.  There was even a group of a dozen kayakers who departed from the park where we were painting.  Too hard to paint fast enough to capture them, but since I had my camera with me I hope to capture them soon in a studio painting.

"View by the Bridge"

by April M Rimpo

7.5" X 12"

acrylic on paper, no mat

$125 + $12.50 shipping and handling with US

A Seagull's Life, 5.25" X 12, acrylic on paper

"A Seagull's Life"

by April M Rimpo

5.25" X 12"

acrylic on paper, no mat

$80 + $12.50 shipping and handling within US

Chickens in the Road, 6" X 6" acrylic on aquabord

As I progressed with my small paintings I decided it was a good time to try different platforms. Instead of working only on paper, some were on aquabord and others on canvas. Chickens in the Road is the first of my acrylic on aquabord paintings.  Aquabord is a product by Ampersand that is made with a clay-like surface on a Masonite-like base.  It was created specifically for people who work in very wet media, like watercolor or fluid acrylic. You can paint on it very much like working on paper.  When done, you spray it with a fixative to protect the clay surface, then use an archival mineral spirit acrylic varnish to further protect the painting. The painting can then be framed without glass.

"Chickens in the Road"

by April M Rimpo

6" X 6" in blond wood frame

acrylic on Aquabord
SOLD

Artist at Work I, acrylic on 10" X 8" canvas

Years ago I painted with oil on canvas, but Artist at Work I may be my first painting on canvas using a water-medium.  Again I decided to use acrylic rather than watercolor. Some canvases are prepared specifically for watercolor, but this was not one of those.  I decided to try using very watered-down acrylic to see if it would work on the canvas.  I very much like the final result. When looking at this in a larger image, the texture of the canvas is prominent since the acrylic was so thinned out. I feel that texture enhances the abstracted appearance I wanted for this painting.

"Artist at Work I"

by April M Rimpo

10" X 8"

acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

$160 shipping and handling within the US

SOLD through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 

410-461-3505  

Meeting in Provence, 8" X  7.5" watercolor on paper

Meeting in Provence, is the only sample in this post of a small watercolor on paper.  Unlike my larger watercolors, I wanted a simple scene that was striking to look at because of my use of color and strong contrasts. These two appear to have met on the street and struck up a conversation.

I plan to continue my exploration through small works and hope you will  join me along the way.  It would be great if we too could strike up a conversation as they did in this painting.

"Meeting in Provence"

by April M Rimpo

8" X 7.5"

watercolor on paper, no mat

$75 + $6 shipping and handling within US

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