"Lambs", a 4" X 4' fluid acrylic mounted on a deep cradle wood panel

Lambs by April M Rimpo

Lambs

4" X 4" fluid acrylic
mounted on 2" deep cradled, wood panel

that was stained in pecan

$45

SOLD through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
info@horsespiritartsgallery.com 

410-461-3505 

Although our only resident animal is a dear kitty, Dusty, we live in an area were small and large animals abound.  The domesticated farm animals include: lambs, goats, chickens, Guinea hen, cattle, and horse. Our wild animal visitors include: brown fox, raccoons, deer, ground hogs, and an occasional opossum. So when I want to paint an animal it is like one will either wander by our home or I can just walk to a neighbors to get some photographs.  These cute lambs live about a mile from our home.

When I did my Spring by the River painting I intentionally had an extra 6 inches of paper on one end, so as I painted some nice unplanned tints and textures formed on in this margin.  I particularly liked this piece that had pale pinks and grays and decided it would make a nice backdrop for the lambs. 

This small 4" X 4" painting on watercolor paper was mounted on a 2" deep cradled, wood panel becoming one of my "stackable" pieces perfect for Easter, a child's bedroom, a play area, or any little nook or cranny that needs a spot of color.  I varnished the paper after painting to provide UV protection form the sun and to protect that paper from the elements.

"Historic Train Station" a 16" x 20" fluid acrylic

Historic Train Station by April M. Rimpo

Historic Train Station

16" X 20" Fluid Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Mounted on a 2" Deep-Cradle Wood Panel

$775

Original Available in April's Spreesy Store

Prints available through HorseSpirit Arts Gallery

I've been wanting to paint this train station, now museum, for a while. However I've struggled with how to make it look interesting since the building and cobblestone were all similar in color. The front "courtyard" is a large expanse that seemed empty in my photographs.

My first design concept was to transform the scene back to the late 1800s when the station was still in operation. This resulted in the addition of the horse drawn carriages in the distance and the woman in 1880s clothing, but it still needed more color and something to fill that courtyard area.

Recently I decided I could add some potted flowers to the foreground, which not only adds some needed white, but also adds some brighter yellows and a place to repeat and emphasize the reds from the roof and distant building. I placed the flowers so they introduced an interesting curved shape, breaking up the large expanse in front of the building.

I'm so glad I took my time thinking about the design of this painting. I believe the result is far better than my original plan. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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.

"Spring by the River" a 24" X 36" fluid acrylic

Spring by the River by April M Rimpo

Spring by the River

24" X 36"

Fluid Acrylic on Paper

Mounted on 2" Deep-cradled, Wood Panel  

Original SOLD

12" X 18" giclee print on watercolor paper - coming soon

To purchase archival prints on watercolor paper or on canvas contact April

Most years the Azaleas are in full bloom by Mother's Day in Maryland. I know that is two months from now, but I am ready. The Azaleas stand proud in my new painting Spring by the River. The white Azaleas are shaded with pale pastel shades of blue, violet, and pink, while the red blossoms vary from orange to hot pink and magenta. I have a bit of a weakness for the white blooms with pink centers.

A fellow artist in our area has a show opening this weekend and I know she has paintings that include scenes from a local Azalea garden. We have not had an awful lot of snow this year, probably a little less than normal, but the cold has everyone I know extremely ready for winter to end. Well I do know a few friends who wish they lived in Maine, you know who you are, and are probably walking around in the 0 - 20 degree Fahrenheit days without a jacket.  

I have Spring fever, as you have noticed in my last several blog posts, so enjoy Spring through my paintings until it finally finds it way to our doorsteps.