My latest paint decorated blanket chest

The design is a reproduction of an original piece in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Stencilling a Focal Wall

The project this week was a stenciled focal wall in this combined living/dining room.

     The stencil was painted using a high gloss enamel in a taupe color over a background of an aqua color flat finish.  The difference in sheen between the glossy stencil and flat background creates a shimmery effect that changes as you walk around the room.  It is very pretty in person but difficult to photograph.

   Treating the same wall in both living and dining room areas creates the feeling of a large open space, even though the areas are separated by a large opening.  It is a more modern treatment of the traditional living room and dining room.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.julieriker.com

Snowy Stream

Here's the painting I did about a week ago during a plein air outing with my friend Beth Bathe.

 

8x10 oil

 

Rockville Bridge After The Snow

9x12 oil

Last Tuesday's storm left a heavy snow clinging to everything, creating a winter wonderland of lacy branches.  I set up at Fort Hunter to paint this plein air scene.  I made it a goal to not use any pure white in this painting.

This is one of 3 new pieces that I have just delivered to Art & Soul gallery, above the West Shore Farmer's Market.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.julieriker.com

Painting in the Snow

Two artists interpretations of the same scene.

Artist Beth Bathe and I met to paint in the snow.

We set up on this walking bridge that crosses a stream.

We painted for two hours and then went out for some hot soup.