Santa Barbara Painting Workshop

Santa Barbara Painting Workshop | Kathleen Elsey | California Fauve

Made during the Santa Barbara painting workshop
by Kathleen Elsey, Santa Barbara artist.
“Van Gogh’s Dahlia”s 18“ x 24“ 2004 Sold
Previously exhibited in the Laguna Plein Air Painters
Association Exhibit “The Artist Indoors”

As I am painting these dahlias, I am thinking of Vincent’s vase of dahlias on the bright green background. I only wish I could feel them as he did. The petals are such delicate colors. I’ve tried to make a very painterly background shaped by spontaneous annd open brushwork. The sunlight keeps changing since the wind is blowing and the flowers are under some shade. I think I captured the best of the light on the flowers. I began this painting in the Santa Barbara painting workshop in my studio/home. I have small groups (3 - 4) of students come to paint for my mentoring program.
Santa Barbara artist, Kathleen Elsey