...Ariel Elizabeth Churnin...: MFA Independent Work: Fall 2007

In addition to our daily model painting sessions, the MFA students in Graham's atelier are expected to create and develop a body of independent work. Inspired by my summer watercolor series in Italy and Hawaii, I decided to make watercolor paintings of the New York sky and landscape. I also found inspiration in my friends (and their pets) who painted alongside me in the studio.

Watercolor Series from Staten Island Ferry
October 2007

View from Staten Island
3" x 5" watercolor on paper
October 2007

View from Staten Island Ferry: Bridge
3" x 5" watercolor on paper
October 2007

View from Staten Island Ferry: Clouds
3" x 5" watercolor on paper
October 2007

Watercolor Series from MacDougal Alley
November 2007

MacDougal Alley: Purple and Yellow Sky
9.5" x 12.5" watercolor on paper
November 2007

MacDougal Alley: Vertical Sky
9.5" x 12.5" watercolor on paper
November 2007

MacDougal Alley: Orange and Blue Sky
9.5" x 12.5" watercolor on paper
November 2007

MacDougal Alley: Purple and Orange Sky
9.5" x 12.5" watercolor on paper
November 2007

MacDougal Alley: Purple Clouds, Yellow Sky
9.5" x 12.5" watercolor on paper
November 2007

View from MacDougal Alley
5" x 7" watercolor on paper
October 2007

View from MacDougal Alley: Italianate Building
5" x 7" watercolor on paper
November 2007

Oil Series of MacDougal Alley
December 2007
In our midterm critique, John Dubrow commented on the disparity between my watercolors and oil paintings. Whereas my watercolors contained vibrant and clear colors, my oil paintings were rather muddy. After a semester of struggle, I was finally able to transfer some of that clarity of my watercolors into my oil paintings.