"Switching Point" a 11" X 14" watercolor

 

"Switching Point" © April M Rimpo

Switching Point

Watercolor on textured watercolor paper

11" X 14" Painting

$600 

includes a $50 framing budget, currently unframed.

The views along train tracks show a variety of subjects including cityscapes, rivers, mountains, and expansive fields. This painting looks at the workings of the railroad: the train light signals that keep trains on schedule avoiding collisions and the switches that move trains between tracks. The workers you see along the rails keep everything maintained. These are essential workers that keep this part of our infrastructure in order.

Switching Point is a watercolor on watercolor paper that was textured with a gesso and acrylic medium mixture. Working on a textured surface adds a lot of interest to the background. I textured this by using stamps to apply the gesso and acrylic mixture. The pattern was over most of the surface, shining through to different degrees depending on whether I subdued the pattern as I was painting.

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.

"Rush Hour" 36" X 24" Fluid Acrylic

Rush Hour by April M Rimpo

Rush Hour

Fluid Acrylic

36" X 24" gallery wrapped

$2075

April Rimpo is one of 63 artists selected for Maryland Federation of Art's

 American Landscapes Exhibition

by show juror Joann Moser. Joann Moser, Senior Curator Emerita, of Smithsonian American Art Museum was the Museum’s Senior Curator of Graphic  Arts from 1986- 2016.

Rush Hour will be on exhibit August 23rd through September 2, 2018 Reception and Awards: Sunday, September 9th, 3-5pm 

ABOUT THE PAINTING
Although the traffic was at a halt, the undulation of the rolling hills, making waves of city buildings appear before us, provides a different type of motion through the city. I can only hope the drivers, who are waiting to move, can see how lovely the city is laid out before them. Even the crane, that reveals the constant change in every city, seems to add to the rhythm of city life.

You can see more "Traffic Jam" paintings at these links:

• Traffic Jam at the Concert - Concert goes waiting on the ticket takers
• Traffic Jam - Sometimes it doesn't take much
• Traffic Jam III - Cyclists backed up at a crossing
• Full to the Limit - An overloaded canal
• Thoroughfare - Amsterdam: More bikes and trikes than you can believe
• Traffic Jam II - No spot at the port for the incoming boat
• Country Tour - Cars waiting on a bike race
• Trapped - Traffic congestion in a tunnel

Click here to Contact April

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

"Main Street" 9" X 12" Acrylic on Canvas

April M Rimpo standing under her painting, Main Street.
See the little red dot on the tag? It was sold at the reception.

Main Street by April M Rimpo

Main Street

9" X 12" painting

14" X 17" frame

$360

SOLD 

Through the Howard County Arts Council Gallery
8510 High Ridge Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Re-Create Ellicott City Benefit Exhibit

July 9 - August 17, 2018

How can you help Ellicott City artists on the road to recovery? Visit the Howard County Center for the Arts to see our Paint It! Ellicott City show and the Re-Create Ellicott City Benefit Exhibit. A percentage of sales goes to the Re-Create Ellicott City Grant that will provide funds to artists and non-profits recovering from the May 27th flood. April is contributing 75% of the sale of this painting.

• Contant April here

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.

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.

"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

City 10" X 10" mixed media

City by April M Rimpo

These paintings are titled "Country" and "City". My inspiration for the "City" painting came during a Touchstone Gallery reception.  I stepped outside during the reception and took some photographs of DC at night. Since I was planning a tree scene for "Country" I thought my image of one of the trees in front of the gallery lit by a street light would be a nice companion.  There were bicycles parked by the tree and those, of course, had to be included. In fact they were the reason I had taken the photograph.  This led to my decision to add a bicycle to the "Country" painting.  

City

Mixed Media

10" X 10"

$250

Available for purchase here

Country by April M Rimpo - SOLD

Both of these paintings were started on canvas and on rice paper. The rice paper was used to create textures in the foliage. It was attached to the canvas and then I add more paint to the rice paper surface allowing the underpainting on the canvas shine through.  







HoCoArt #ShopSmall #SmallBizSat

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 2015 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Tenement" 14" X 29" watercolor

Tenement by April M Rimpo

Tenement

watercolor

14" X 29" image

20" X 35" brushed silver frame

$975 within the United States*

Available in Touchstone Gallery's Online Store

In Tenement I played with darks and lights making what was shadow areas in my photograph light and bright areas dark.  I call this an "inverse" painting. I also played with colors using vibrant colors in the now lit areas of the brick wall and rich, dark blues and purples for the now dark areas.  The fire-escape stairs and railings were done in light neutral colors to separate them from the wall. When I compare this with the original photograph I feel looking at this painting is much more exciting.  See my source photo below.

At left is the Analog color scheme I selected for the painting. The color charts from Color Scheme Designer provide various strengths of each color and some blends of the colors.  I use two blues, burnt orange, and a purple to create this painting, so I stayed fairly true to the plan, shifting the rose color more to the purple end of the spectrum and adding some a lighter blue.

My source photo

I think my inverse approach has led to interesting paintings that is fun for the viewer to take in and figure out.  One of my other paintings done using the same approach is described in my blog post Fire Escape.

I'd love to hear whether you find this approach draws you into the painting or if something closer to the source photo would have been closer to what you like.  

* Contact April regarding purchase outside the United States

A Better View 16" X 20 " Fluid Acrylic

A Better View by April M Rimpo

A Better View

Fluid Acrylic

16" X 20"

Available for Purchase - learn more

While in New Orleans for the Jazz Fest we watched the opening parade. We arrived early so we could find a good spot to watch. When we first arrived only a few people were there ahead of us. Some of the parade participants were still getting ready and walking toward the beginning of the parade route.  

It didn't take long before the crowds began to gather and people began jockeying for a good spot the see.  The parade ran down Bourbon Street before turning toward Jackson Square. Trucks were there delivering food and alcohol for the coming day so people kept changing their location worried the trucks would not leave before the parade started.  

I noticed that as people crossed and the light coming down Ursuline Street hit them they would light up. I immediately started to take photos in hopes of capturing the flashes of light as they glanced across their shoulders and long shadows stretched out in front of them. 

I had only been to New Orleans once before for one day, so this was like a first visit for me. We missed the Tutu Parade the day before, but the street was still filled with Tutus in shop windows, balloons were out, and of course beads from small to enormous were hanging from balconies, stores, and even electric wires along the streets.  

So much to take in, you know I just had to paint it. It's not surprising that this was one of the first few paintings of New Orleans that I created. And yes, there will certainly be more.

Click here to Contact April

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

"Lanterns" 24" X 18" fluid acrylic

Lanterns by April M Rimpo

Lanterns

24" X 18" Fluid Acrylic on  Watercolor Paper

Gallery Wrapped and Varnished
$1035

Purchase through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
410.461.3505 info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 
Open 6 days a week (Closed Tuesdays)

Sometimes paintings call out to me when I least expect them. I was talking through Washington DC on a chilly day, heading to the Metro Station to head home after a day in the city.  I happened to glance to my right and saw the beautiful lanterns scatter through this courtyard. I came to a screeching halt and pulled out my phone to take a photograph. I loved how the lanterns reflected in the city windows and decided to enhance the image by including more of the lantern color throughout the building. Since purple is in the same family as the pink lanterns I also used purples in the dark parts of the building. What seems at first glance to be black areas is really layers of purple, Phthalo Blue and other dark pigments to gradually build the darkest areas. The lighter grays were also mixed using Cobalt blue, Quinacridone coral and Quinacridone gold. I love creating my own grays and “blacks” by mixing colors together.  The result is much richer than using blacks or grays that are “out of the tube.”

Every time I walk past this area I look into the courtyard to make sure there isn't something new that I just must paint. Of course there often is, so more images from this area will no doubt appear in the future.

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 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.
#HoCoArts #aprilmrimpoart

Featured art - Morning in NYC

Morning in NYC-Canvas Print at Re/MAX

I probably shouldn't admit to favorites when I talk about my paintings, but Morning in NYC is definitely one of my favorites.  Thus my decision to have this my second featured art on display at RE/MAX Advantage Realty in Baltimore.

I started drawing this painting on tracing paper when visiting my mother's home for a week long visit. I got up early to draw until she got up. That would give me a couple hours to make progress, which is about how long I could focus on all those linear lines and details of the city before I needed a break.

After I returned home to my studio, I transferred the image to watercolor paper and created the painting. I used the same basic colors of the city but brightened them just slightly to emphasize the beautiful peace of the morning light.

Original Painting (Morning in NYC) with various types of Giclee Prints

As you can see in the image above, giclee prints can be purchased in a variety of types. It is the large canvas print on display at RE/MAX Advantage. I offer prints of my artwork on watercolor paper and gallery wrapped canvas. Most of my gallery wrapped canvas prints have the image wrap around the edge of the frame and some have a solid colored edge. The image above includes (from left to right), a small (10" tall) print on watercolor, the original watercolor framed with a white mat, a larger giclee print on canvas 24" X 16" with a depth of  1.5", and a small giclee print on canvas 18" X 8 X 0.75" depth.

If you'd like to see the print in person and live near Baltimore feel free to go to RE/MAX Advantage and let them know you are there to see my artwork. I can also meet you there. Contact me to see if we can arrange a good date to meet.

Prints in the sizes shown are available. If you'd prefer a different size, contact me with the size and I will provide a quote.

Print sizes currently available:

20in X 13.5in on WC paper $125.00 USD 12inX8inX0.75in canvas $105.00 USD 24inX16inX1.5in canvas $290.00 USD

The original is also available:

Morning in NYC

Original $1,700.00 USD

When considering a print of an original painting you can decide on the size and type of print that best suits your space. Because I get high resolution digital scans of my paintings, you can enlarge the image up to three times without degradation.  This amount of enlargement should allow you to fill a very large space.  Prints on watercolor paper need to be framed under glass with a mat that separates the print from touching the glass.  Frames on the canvas prints are optional.

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.

Row Houses I, 12" X 12" Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord

Row Houses I by April M Rimpo

Row Houses I

Fluid Acrylic on Aquabord

12" X 12" X 2" deep wood cradle

$345

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE

I have been fascinated by Row Houses since moving to the Mid-Atlantic region. There weren't any in the area where I grew up in western Massachusetts nor in Arizona where I lived for many years. The architecture was new and different to me.  As I've traveled I've discovered the larger busy cities often have beautiful row houses somewhere in the city. 

Between the beauty of these buildings and the presence of a bicycle sculpture I couldn't resist painting this neighborhood. It is a lovely sunny day toward the very beginning of Spring, so the leaves on the trees have not yet arrived, but the smaller shrubs are coming to life with some new growth adding a touch of lovely Spring green to the city.

You'll notice this painting is called Row House I, because I'm sure there are more Row House paintings in my near future.

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.

"A Day in the Capital" 18" X 24" fluid acrylic

A Day in the Capital © April M Rimpo

A Day in the Capital

Fluid Acrylic

18" X 24" gallery wrapped and varnished

$1035

Purchase through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
410.461.3505 info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 
Open 6 days a week (Closed Tuesdays)

Sometimes my city scapes reflect the surroundings of the city in warm and cool neutral tones.  Morning in NYC is an example of that.  Other times I am more interested in patterns of the city and the mood of the day so the colors reflect my mood.  You can see that in Fresh Fruit to Go.  In A Day in the Capital, the painting is really about the people roaming the mall, venturing into museums, and visiting the Capitol Building.  

It was a beautiful day in DC, there were a lot of visitors, so I decided to start with "happy" colors in the sky, which are repeated in the visitors' clothing. I think the contrast between the colorful backdrop and the neutral tones of the United States Capitol Building lends majesty and strength to the building.

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 2015 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

#HoCoArt

#aprilmrimpoart

#washingtondc

#dcart

"Fresh Fruit to Go" 21" X 14" watercolor

Fresh Fruit to Go by April M Rimpo

My husband and I generally travel to New York City a couple times per year. Unfortunately that was not the case in 2014, but this painting from a photograph I took in 2013 allowed me to to travel there through my memories. 

As we walk around NYC I snap pictures frequently.  I remember that as we were crossing the street I saw this fruit stand on the other side of the road and decided to get my camera ready.  When the crowd parted I snapped a couple pictures.  I'm not sure if my husband was even aware I took some photos because I paused only momentarily then caught up quickly.  

We have frequently bought fruit from these street side vendors while in NYC.  The fruit is always great.  Recently I met another artist who lives in NYC and she commented on all the wonderful farmers markets in the city and how she can buy whatever she wants and the produce is always super fresh and delicious.  As she described the markets I remembered seeing a farmers market by Union Station, but we hadn't stopped.  Staying in a hotel is not conducive to cooking and the small fruit stand vendors had met our needs. Not coming from a huge city I had never realized what great produce came to the city to supply the millions who live there.  Next trip I'll have to check out the market, if nothing else to take photos for a future painting.  

Fresh Fruit to Go

Watercolor

21" X 14" image

28" X 21" brushed silver frame

$1000

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE

The painting exhibited in June 2015 in the Illinois Watercolor National Exhibit and May 2017 in Louisiana Watercolor Socieity's International Exhibition

"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

"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

Building Perspectives Exhibit at Howard County Art Council's Gallery I

It's been a long time coming, but Building Perspectives, an exhibit at Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is finally here.  There is a multi-step inclusion process for either a solo exhibit or small group exhibit.  Here is my example.

In September 2012 I applied for a small group show at HCAC.  In the Spring of 2013 I found that I would be one of five artists included in a show that features buildings and architectural details.  Four of the ten images included in my proposal were selected for the 2014 show. 

Now that I knew the theme for the show, I painted several other watercolors appropriate for the exhibit. In July, I submitted images of those paintings to the selection committee.  They selected six paintings for the show.

The postcard shows small glimpses of one piece of art from each artist in the Building Perspectives exhibit.  I am so anxious to see our show when it opens on September 5th. I hope you can join us to see the artwork, enjoy music, light food, and refreshments at the reception on September 12th from 6 - 8 pm. 

Here are links to my paintings included in this exhibit.

• Tenement
• Fire Escape
• City Reflections I
• City Reflections II
• Intersections
• Streetcar

Contact April here

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.

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.