Watercolor Paintings - Art by Derek McCrea: plant

Showing posts with label plant. Show all posts

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Yucca Flower art print

Yucca flower southwestern botanical floral watercolor painting art print. This western plant is scattered throughout the desert of the southwest. The yucca flower is the New Mexico state flower. The yucca is a member of the lily family and a symbol of sturdiness and beauty. In the early summer, pale ivory flowers bloom at the tips of its long, fibrous stalks. At the base of the plant are broad, sharpedged leaves that look like stilettos. The yucca sometimes grows to the height of a small tree. What really amazes me about this plant is the American Indian's use for it. When I spent some time in El Paso Texas I traveled all over the west. My favorite thing to do is spend time visting the historical southwest areas and especially when Indian history is involved. One time I went to a spot where Indians were using the yucca root as an edible food and it is really good. I tasted the root once again when I ate at a restaurant in Orlando Florida called Texas da Brazil. If you are ever in Orlando and you want to be spoiled rotten eat at the Texas da Brazil. It is expensive but it is an experience with food that you will never forget. This painting is available as a 11 x 14 inch fine art print for
25 dollars plus 7 for shipping

View more art at my gallery at
Flower Paintings

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Caladiums Tropical plant watercolor painting

Caladiums Tropical plant watercolor painting. I love these multi-colored leaf plants. They are similar to Crotons but have different colors and leaf shapes. 11 x 14 inch print available for sale below.
View more art at my gallery at
Still Life Watercolor Paintings

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Croton tropical art print

Croton tropical plant watercolor painting fine art print, realistic nature botanical art. This painting was really a challenge to paint. It is a 11 x 15 inches, purchase option below 25 dollars plus 7 shipping.
View more art at my gallery at
Still Life Watercolor Paintings

Sunday, January 13, 2008

December art newsletter part 10 sunflowers 2

Sunflowers II

This painting has a very unique technique applied to create depth and texture for a watercolour. I began this work with a pallet knife and gesso applied to 140 lb stock Arches watercolour paper. The gesso was applied to create structure for the flowers and a diminishing background with less granulation. After the gesso dried I painted the watercolor normal but could not apply a wet on wet technique as the gesso absorbs the paint when applied. The paint applied over gesso created a 3D effect for the overall painting.

“Sunflowers II” is one of my first watercolours. I became accustomed to completing oil paintings and I used many oil painting techniques with this watercolor painting. Many people have told me this painting reminds them of Leonardo Da Vinci’s floral works. That was not my attempt, as I stated this is a very original work, the only one I know of that is watercolor over gesso.

I have always loved sunflowers. When I was younger I can remember my Grandfather taking me out to the sunflower field. It was 67 acres of sunflowers. I can recall bringing back several sunflower heads that were dried for baking in the oven. The rest of the sunflowers were harvested and sold at the end of the season.

Today in the grocery store we see organic this and organic that with the price of the items doubled because the products are organic. I was born and raised in a time and place where everything I ate was organic, on a huge 2,000 acre farm. Sunflowers remind me of good times and hard fu work while growing up on a family farm. One day I hope to have my own garden and grow my own favorite organic fruits, nuts and vegetables and sunflowers will be among that organic garden. 9 x 12 inches

View more art at my gallery at
Sunflower Paintings

Watercolor Paintings - Art by Derek McCrea