Northwest Orchid Series

Wild ORCHIDS OF THE NORTHWEST
Inspired by the beautiful Orchids of the Northwest, I have ventured into the discovery of rare orchids with magical names like: Fairy Orchid, Phantom Orchid, Ghost Plant and Chatterbox.

Delicate and challenging, the flower petals have to be crafted with thoughtfulness and patience. Rolling the edges thin for a bit of transparency, and yet solid in the middle to withstand the many sandings and handling during painting.

As I finish the first 40 orchid blooms (many extras due to their delicacy) in their greenware and bisque stages, I run the mini kilns to keep up.

After researching the insects and mycelium that work together with each plant, I make minute hover flies and fungus representatives to add in each piece. There are over 50 detail pieces-mushrooms, pollinators, snails, mosses, and stones that lay in wait in tidy rows. These will be used to  accentuate the main orchid pieces.

As the detail pieces fire in the kiln, I lay my worktable out and mix the paints I will need. it has been kiln load after kiln load to fire all the additional detail pieces so I am looking forward to the trancelike work of painting.

Next month I will begin designing the intricate copper structures. Using a braising torch, repose tools and paints to form realistic foliage. The sketches line the walls of the studio waiting to be fulfilled into form.

Stream orchids in first layer of paint

flies and yellow jackets