Today’s piece for The Iris Project is a two color bearded iris. It is one I acquired from a farm nearby in Boulder who generously offered me several Rhizomes after they divided them.

The farm has a long driveway leading up to it and both sides of the driveway were lined with every imaginable type and color of Iris. Most of them were in bloom when I went to pick up the rhizomes. I will have to take a trip again this spring to see them in bloom once more.

This piece is still a work in progress but I decided to go ahead and post it as I don’t think I will put the finishing touches on it just yet. I want to let this one sit for a few days before I decide what else it needs.

I somehow ended up with Jill’s heavy gel medium at my house after our last painting day (oops), so I decided to use a little of it to see how it worked. I used it mostly for the background under-painting and it worked quite well. I got a pretty nice texture to work with. I used the modeling paste for the iris petals and some of the leaves in the background. I used the knife to add some highlights and it worked great over the textured background.

This is so much fun. I wonder what I’ll think of all of these initial paintings when I look back at the end of this project. After just 4 days, I already feel more confident with the paints. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a bit terrifying, but it IS getting easier.

One more day in 2018! I can’t believe the year is coming to an end…. I wonder what is in store for 2019 (besides Iris paintings that is)?

-Lisa (The crazy Iris lady — since I don’t have cats, this will have to do).