Textures in the Winter Garden #1
©2014 Lucinda Howe

When I paint outdoors, I usually look for the grand vista and block in large shapes and strong values to capture an impression of the landscape.  But in the studio, I experiment with materials and focus more on detail.   I’m always looking for unusual ways to add texture to my work.

This weekend I wanted to be outside for a few minutes to enjoy the nice weather before the next storm comes through.  I grabbed my camera and took a quick walk around my garden in search of textures and patterns to use for collage elements or surface treatments in future paintings.   Focusing in on natural and man-made objects, I eliminated contextual clues and concentrated on shapes and patterns.   I was amazed at the variety of images and subtlety of color that appeared.  After loading these to my computer, I cropped some of them and added some Photoshop Elements filters, but most are just as I shot them.

Textures in the Winter Garden #2
©2014 Lucinda Howe

I like to use my camera in this way because it allows me to study one particular element of art in isolation and add to my visual repertoire.  Later, perhaps subconsciously, I’ll use these textures to bring elements of my garden into my art.

Can you guess what these textures are?  (Answers are at the bottom.)

Textures in the Winter Garden #3
©2014 Lucinda Howe

#1 clockwise from upper left:  Ferns, eucalyptus, Barred Plymouth Rock chickens, paving stone

#2  clockwise from upper left: fallen sticks, triangular iron trellis by back wall, black concrete planter, photo of Persian ivy with “bas relief” Photoshop filter

#3  clockwise from upper left: Poncirus trifoliata “Flying Dragon”, crape myrtle bark, base of butia capitata (jelly palm). R-max insulation under my studio