Koi Pond

"Koi Pond" 12" x 16" Pastel on black canvas panel

I set my camera on the dock, nearly at water level with a school of goldfish and koi lolling just below the surface, to document this scene. They heard my footsteps on the wooden platform and gathered in hopes of being fed. 

I began this painting in hopes of painting one of the 24" koi in the foreground, but the scale was so unbelievable that it looked wrong. So I painted only the ten inch fish, which repeated the foliage across the pond nicely. Once again, this is the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the largest Japanese garden in the country, I learned today.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Leaves in the Creek

"Leaves in the Creek" 12" x 12" Pastel on black gessoed panel

This little creek wound through the garden, filling and emptying many different shaped ponds and tributaries. I captured it here as it turned left and headed to the koi pond. 

I went to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford over the weekend.  The colors were at their peak and the late afternoon light was perfect for gathering subject matter.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com