Palm Warm Up, Acrylic on paper, 7x5", ©2012 Lucinda Howe

This week I’m on vacation from my other job and am having a private “art retreat” in my studio.  I wanted to organize my work with a theme for Open Studio weekend April 21-22 and create some new pieces.  As I looked through my reference material, I realized I’m a PALM FANATIC.

In my travels I’ve drawn, painted and photographed palm trees in Greece, France, the Caribbean, Hawaii, southern coasts, and my own backyard.  I’ve painted palms in watercolor, acrylic and oil using many techniques and color schemes.  Since this is the week before Palm Sunday on April 1, painting palms seems like just the thing!

This small piece is a “warm up” exercise, experimenting with colors and getting my brushes wet.  I’m also working on some larger pieces to be completed by Open Studio Weekend.