Pitcher of Flowers

When I began painting this, I was not totally focused, and I soon began to realize this.  It was painted from a photograph I took when we set this up in the studio. The vase was pottery  with colorful chickens painted on it, (which I didn't like,) and I had managed to flatten the group of flowers by using the same color intensity and sharp edges through out.  I was not happy with it!  The next day I looked at it again with fresh eyes and began making some changes. I simplified and neutralized the vase so it wouldn't compete with the colorful flowers. I softened and dulled the edges of the flowers as they turned around the sides, and I cropped the painting by actually sawing off two sides which placed the vase off-center and added some highlights to emphasize the focal area. I liked it better but it still wasn't a favorite.  Remember . . . there is always somebody out there who will like it even if you don't . . . a company here in town actually purchased it.