Small Oil Paintings

Two Mandarin Oranges - SOLD

2012-02-11T20:26:00.007-05:00

"Two Mandarin Oranges with Leaves"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord

sold

Can anyone tell me why this is the only fruit that merchants deem necessary to retain their leaves? I can understand why you seldom see leaves in the market, but mandarin oranges of some varieties ( these are Page Mandarins ) always appear in the market with leaves intact. Very curious and a delight as well. This painting is sooooo much more interesting with those drying leaves as they curl into sculpture-like accessories.

My still life set up is really just an old cardboard moving box, wood plank from the side of the road, and hand held light, all captured with my handy camera on a tripod. It is thrilling to create a convincing old world scene with these spare elements. I was putting my official artistic license to good use - mustn't let it lapse.

After a few inquiries into my box I thought a current pic of today's view of my "box" could give more info than words. The top piece is moved from side to side or removed as needed for desired directional light.

Collie Figurine and Starbucks Bottle - SOLD

2012-02-03T08:19:00.004-05:00

"Lassie and Starbucks"
Dog figurine still life no. 3

6"x 6" Oil on Gessobord

sold

One more in my vintage dog series rolls off the easel. This one has been on the easel for a month in various stages of completion and it feels a great victory to finally be able to post it! Life just gets in the way toooo much these days.

The blue tin is my "distressed" tin inspired by the British artist Jullian Merrow-Smith. You can read my past post about the making of it here. I just really love this tin! The adding of the Starbucks bottle was a last minute addition and was really a joy to paint although I'm always asking myself later when painting "why the heck did I make myself paint type again!" I'll be interested if this painting is purchased by someone who love collies or rather Starbucks. Let's just hope the painting finds a good home.

Blood Orange No.2- SOLD

2011-12-13T21:49:00.007-05:00

"Blood Orange No.2"

6"x 6" Oil on Gessobord

sold

It was about a year ago that I painted this orange and had saved several images of it in order to paint again. The angle is a little different but overall the same painting and I think improved. Click here to see last year's painting.

I haven't forgotten my "dog" paintings, but not everyone loves dogs or figurines so more food and kitchen paintings must be sprinkled in here and there. The holidays have slowed all painting temporarily, but it is worth it. My husband and I have been having the most wonderful Christmas season this year with lots of parties, music programs, time with dear friends, special church services and later time with family. It is not much about "stuff" and gifts this year but more about reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. It has been a blessed time drawing near to our heavenly father.

Best Wishes for a most Blessed Christmas and Hopeful New Year!

Dachshund - Dog Figurine Still Life No. 2 - SOLD

2011-11-22T22:06:00.004-05:00

"Dachshund Still Life"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord.

sold

This carved figure took on a more contemporary look in style than the first painting in this dog figurine series. While painting the chiseled surface of the dog my brushstrokes became more angular and took on a more contemporary look than the first in the series. Don't you love his expression? I so enjoyed painting that face!

Terrier Dog and Persimmons - SOLD

2011-11-19T14:14:00.005-05:00

"Terrier Dog and Persimmons"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord

sold

It has been like an early Christmas around here with packages being left on my doorstep almost everyday this week. I've gone nuts purchasing dog figurines for a series of still life paintings including the many vintage dogs that I've found on ebay. I'm not a collector of anything so it is different to see dogs everywhere in my studio. I'm getting addicted on ebay- danger, danger! I have enough dogs to keep me busy for quite a while and look forward to painting something other than fruit every now and then.

This painting, being my first was fun but I think if it sells I might make about 25 cents and hour! I reworked parts of it several times but am finally happy with it. More to come!

Black Grapes and Silver Goblet -SOLD

2011-11-09T21:08:00.004-05:00

"Black Grapes and Silver Goblet"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord
sold

This was my second painting of grapes and the first black variety. It was quite a challenge to paint all the colors in "black" grapes. They are NOT black at all. But that was the appeal to me. I was looking forward to attempting to get those "blue bits" correct. It took lots of patience and painting many layers which can be tricky when you paint wet into wet as I did here. I like this one so much it will be sad to part with.

Two Pears on a Box -SOLD

2011-11-06T19:37:00.007-05:00

"Two Pears on a Box"

6"x 6" Oil on Gessobord.
sold

It seems that pears are a favorite subject for both artists and collectors. The appeal for me is how unique each one is and the shape of the pear can be arranged in such interesting ways - much more interesting to me than all the round fruits. For some reason I think of the French countryside when I see pears depicted in art. I don't know why- I have pear trees all around me here in Atlanta. I'll just say that these are French pears and you'll believe me.

Pear in Cool Light - SOLD

2011-10-30T15:27:00.005-04:00

"Pear in Cool Light"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord.

sold

I'm really enjoying the dark backgrounds with the image emerging from the shadows. For one thing I don't have to decide what color to paint - some form of black works for all.

For a long while on my painting journey I sought to loosen up with all my brushwork and paint like so many that I admire. Since coming back this year after a several months break from painting, I'm finding that the more realistic style is where I really feel at home and the paintings are just flowing with little effort. I think I'll stay at "home" for a while - loving the comfort zone. This may be what finding one's artistic voice is all about - for so long I was not listening......

Strawberries and Punch Cup - SOLD

2011-10-28T22:33:00.005-04:00

"Strawberries and Punch Cup"

5"x 7" oil on Gessobord

sold

I once read that simple persons can be easily entertained by bright shiny objects. I wonder what this could mean for me because I love to paint shiny and reflective objects of all kinds. Hmmm..

Tomato and Mushrooms - SOLD

2011-10-23T21:53:00.009-04:00

"Tomato and Mushrooms"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord
sold

The weather is turning cooler and my kitchen plans turn toward soup. Add some chicken and potatoes and, mmmm––I can smell the comforting aroma already.

I enjoyed painting this grouping––it really became a study in grays. And I love that red tomato emerging from the shadows.

Peaches and Mixing Bowl - SOLD

2011-10-16T18:26:00.009-04:00

"Peaches and Mixing Bowl"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord

sold

It was one of those exciting moments when in the grocery store you find a piece of fruit with the leaf on it. That leaf was the inspiration for this one. I pared it with my favorite vintage mixing bowl for a nostalgic image.

Lemon and Silver Goblet- SOLD

2011-10-12T21:06:00.003-04:00

"Lemon and Silver Goblet"

7" x 5" Oil on Gessobord.

sold

I love nothing more than trying to paint a convincing image of reflective objects––the lemon partnered with a silver goblet in this golden light was intoxicating to my artist sensibilities––I sincerely hope this painting finds a nice home.

Pomegranate on Napkin - SOLD

2011-10-10T16:14:00.004-04:00

"Pomegranate on Napkin"

7" x 5" oil on gessoboard

sold

A simple pomegranate to begin once again. I'm a bit rusty due to too much time away from the easel this year and I tell myself to keep it simple! I love this fruit to paint, the color, texture and that amazing top thingy. The painting is so much more red in real life, the camera can never capture the intensity of reds.

Sunflowers With Peaches - SOLD

2011-07-10T14:55:00.011-04:00

"Sunflowers With Peaches"

10"x 8" Oil on linen panel.

Sold

I’ve been working on this painting off and on for three days. It began as an under painting which I let dry over night. The time allowed me to realize that the composition was not working––I needed to move away from the reference photo somewhat and make artistic changes.

Somehow this released me from my usual way of working and I took the opportunity to experiment with being more impressionistic, playing with textures, thicker paint and color. Exciting paint texture can become a subject of its own if done well. I admire painters like C W Mundy and can get lost in the beautiful textures he achieves.

I'll begin on a 9x12 commission next but since it is for a surprise, I may not be able to share it on my blog for a while. So if you don't see any blogging activity it doesn't mean I'm slacking! Maybe I'll catch you up on our "puppy" Reilly who is growing into a handsome and mischievous young guy.

Asparagus Spears- SOLD

2011-07-08T21:02:00.003-04:00

"Thanksgiving Asparagus No.2"

5"x 7" Oil on board
Sold

It is good to say “Hi” to fellow artists and friends. “HI!!!” I think I’m back to painting–finally.

In January we decided to move and the last six months have almost killed me. I'm getting too old for this moving thing. If you are an artist you have some idea of all the stuff I have!!! There is twenty five years of old illustration art that I can't throw away and props and on and on. Over the three months that the actual move took place the "stuff" grew. My husband and I just could not bring ourselves to scale down our possessions. I'm so glad that our new place has a basement!!!

My step back into painting was this commission. A collector wanted to purchase a previous painting that I had failed to mark "Sold" on my site. MY BAD- so I offered to paint them another one. Asparagus was a difficult subject the first time painted and still was a hard subject, especially to get back into the swing of things. I do think I made some improvement and hope the client will be happy with it.

More to come......

Fresh Cut Roses Still Life

2011-02-04T21:56:00.006-05:00

"Roses From the Heart"

5 5/8" x 7 3/4" Oil on linen.

email me for purchasing info.

These roses are some my husband grows and he proudly brought me this lovely bunch back in the summer. How appropriate to paint them in February when love is in the air!

When I announced my new puppy in the last post in December, I knew that puppy training and Christmas would make painting difficult for a few weeks. Little did I know that a few more life issues would again push painting down on my priority list into the new year. I will share a bit more later, but posting and painting may not get back to normal for another month or so. Painting and growing as an artist is and will remain a huge long term priority for me so know this is temporary!!!!!!

Happy Valentine to you all!!!!

Apple Pie and New Puppy

2010-12-08T23:54:00.006-05:00

"Favorite Pie"

5"x 7" Oil on board.
$100. + $8 s&h

I baked this pie before Thanksgiving! And I painted it from a photo that was taken before it was gobbled up! It seems like months ago that I had the time to spend in the kitchen since our new addition has arrived. I'm a new mom with our happy little puppy picked up on Thanksgiving weekend. The last two weeks have been consumed by puppy training, feeding, pooping and peeing. He is much more of a handful than I remember from our now seven year old Shad-0. Reilly is a very strong willed and dominant pup––almost 9 weeks now.

Pomegranate and Silver Goblet - SOLD

2010-11-21T21:28:00.006-05:00

"Pomegranate and Silver Goblet"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord

sold

I'm getting some mileage out of this $2 pomegranate. The last painting of it with the Delft Vase was a money maker and I'm hoping for another one.

It is often surprising which paintings sell and which don't. Often my favorites just sit around and keep me company and some forgotten painting that has been on ebay for eons will suddenly sell. I'm beginning to think that there is no way to know what painting will strike a cord for someone. There are so many factors that can speak to someone- subject, color, size, mood, style, artist's name- any or all of these can cause a viewer to fall in love with a painting.

So I have learned not to "plan" paintings for a sale. Just paint! You waste your time setting out to paint a "seller".

Cow Creamer and Camelias

2010-11-19T23:00:00.009-05:00

"Cow Creamer and Camellias"
5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord

Click to bid

block-in

This painting began as a very quick half hour block-in before going to bed one night. In the freezer it went to stay wet and wait for me to get back to it. The block-in was so fun and I really liked the painting even at the early stage. Two days later ( today ) I finished it, determining to keep it fresh and not to overwork the nice looseness that had been established. I believe that I accomplished that and hope it makes someone happy.

The cow creamer pictured was inspired by one that I purchased on sale at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant Store. Although the CB cow was very similar, earlier I had seen an actual Delft cow creamer. I took some photos of the real one for reference. When working out the "drawing" of this painting I was looking at my still life set up with my CB creamer and looking at the photos of the Delft creamer. Slightly changing the shape and blue design of my creamer, I can say that this is a Delft Cow Creamer painting. So be it.

Pomegranate and Delft Vase - SOLD

2010-11-14T22:30:00.005-05:00

"Pomegranate and Delft Vase"

7 5/8" x 5 5/8" Oil on linen panel.
sold

Gee, I can't think of anything to say except that I'm glad I'm finally finished with this painting. It is time to give this Delft vase a rest for a while and move on to something not so decorative, but you may see the pomegranate again.

I'd like to take this opportunity, although a little late, to thank all those brave and honorable persons in our military that have given great sacrifice in many ways for our country. I took my Vietnam veteran husband Kenn to dinner on Thursday and I'm so proud of him. Our thanks to those who served in that conflict is too little and much too late, so please give them special recognition when possible. Thanks You Veterans!!!!!!!!!!

Blue Teapot and Pink Roses- SOLD

2010-11-04T21:22:00.006-04:00

"Blue Teapot and Pink Roses"

"5 5/8 x 7 5/8" Oil on linen.
sold
$150. + $8 s&h

I really enjoyed the mindless painting on this one. You know- when your painting almost feels like "color in the lines" kind of work. I'm really digging this textured linen background. The objects just pop off the page and give such a three dimensional look. But this background does make it a challenge to manage the edges, keeping them varied and not too terribly sharp. It really is a totally different process from what I have been working on, but a nice difference for a change.

Punch Cup, Lemon and Delft Vase- SOLD

2010-11-02T15:14:00.008-04:00

"Punch Cup, Lemon and Delft Vase"

5"x 7" Oil on Gessobord.

$100. + $8 s&h sold

Both the chrome punch cup and the Delft vase where purchases made on my recent trip to North Georgia. Each of the items in this still life was a different challenge. The cup came easily to me, but that vase! When I paint a "hand painted" object I generally fail to get the background values correct before I begin in with the decoration. This vase was not an exception. Believe me when I tell you to get those values right FIRST before decorating! It will save you a lot of time.

My collection of painting props keeps growing and shelf space is diminishing. I have the best inspiration when a new object is waiting in the wings for its first painting. I've been looking for a while for a vase of this sort, a silver goblet and silver cup all of which I have now. The goblet still needs the silver polish and a handsome piece of fruit to accompany it and it'll be ready to paint.

Pears,Cherries and Chrome Punch Cup - WIP

2010-10-31T12:36:00.012-04:00

"Pears, Cherries and Chrome Punch Cup"

5 5/8"x 7 3/4" Oil on linen mounted on board.
$125. + $8 s&h
click on image to enlarge

I've given you some shots of my work-in-progress to give an idea of how this painting developed. I drew the image with paint and brush just to lay out the composition and then began laying in local color in blocks of shapes. As I painted in smaller and smaller shapes I also began adding the subtle color shifts from light sources and reflected light. Painted edges were varied with some being crisp and others being blurred in an attempt to move the eye to areas of interest. The loose stem in the foreground was a final addition to the composition to add interest and visual movement. That stem is an important element because it stops the eye from following the blue stripes down and out of the painting.

My favorite part of this piece is the cloth napkin. I hoped that I could capture the glow of the light striking the area to the right of the pears and behind the cup. I think I was successful and I also like how the pears seem to settle into the fabric. I'm still working on improving backgrounds in my paintings. I had painted a pink wash on the linen hoping to have bits of that color peaking through in the background. I seem to just forget and start right in with thick paint not taking enough care in placement of brushstrokes and placement. Then I have to go back in and just add more and more paint. I'll keep experimenting and working on it. :-)

Oranges, Plum and Mexican Bowl

2010-10-27T22:38:00.006-04:00

"Oranges, Plum and Mexican Bowl"

5.75"x 7.75" Oil on linen mounted on board
( Painted by the "loose" artist )

I suffer from multiple artist personalities disorder. The "loose" artist in me strives for spontaneous effortless-looking brushwork. "Striving is counterproductive," I tell her. She glares back and tries harder. I, the "tight and controlled" artist, smile and with self satisfaction step back and admire the latest marathon 6x8 piece that took an entire week to complete. "It must be good––it took so long" right?

Three Pears on a Table - SOLD

2010-10-23T11:03:00.005-04:00

"Three Pears on a Table"

5 3/4" x 7 3/8" Oil on linen mounted on board.
$150. + $8. s&h - sold

You may recognize this table edge from previous paintings. It is not really a table but just a piece of some furniture that dates back to the Civil War. It was my great great grandmother's dresser, those where there are two sides with drawers and the middle dips down as an open area on which to place toiletries and a tall mirror above. During a move the dresser was damaged beyond repair and I salvaged the pieces. The two outside sections with the drawers I use as night stands in our bedroom and the middle drop down area that was just a shelf I now use as a small "table" for still life arrangements.

Painting this was pure joy. It was one of those paintings that I felt good about from the start without going through that doubtful stage. Yes, this is tight for me again, but it felt so natural I just didn't worry about being "loose".

Tiger Lily - SOLD

2010-10-17T20:36:00.004-04:00

"Tiger Lily"

7.75"x 5.75" Oil on linen panel.
sold

This painting was unexpectedly a week long project. I thought I was near done after working on it three days but didn't like the direction it was going. It was too tight for my taste and so I painted over the painting with more painterly strokes. I spent the next two days cleaning it up again! I think those dots were what were causing me the problems. There are too many and too small for me to paint them perfectly. When I tried to make them little dashes with one stroke marks that didn't look right either. After adjustments the spots are not perfect and not loose and I am not satisfied with them being in between, but I'm not willing to spend anymore time on it. Enough is enough already!

Georgia Cotton - SOLD

2010-10-10T22:01:00.005-04:00

"Georgia Cotton"

5.75"x 7.75" Oil on linen panel.
$100. + $8. s&h. - sold

This cotton was retrieved from the side of the road near Fritzgerald, Georgia on a recent trip.
To make the painting a bit more colorful I staged it with my "stressed" green tin. Yep, it was a new tin that I banged up, painted and stressed by sanding off some of the paint. The exposed metal rusted after setting it out in the flower bed for a month. I'm more proud of this tin than most of my paintings. The cotton was honored to be put on stage with the treasured tin.

Mountain Cabin

2010-10-06T23:29:00.002-04:00

"Culberson Cabin"

8"x 10" Oil on board.
nfs

Two weeks ago my husband and I visited this homey cabin in north Georgia nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We had such a wonderful time- the weather was perfect and the weekend was one of exploring and antique/flea market shopping.

Back from more Georgia Traveling

2010-10-05T18:03:00.023-04:00

Jekyll Island (photo)

It is wonderful living in the South, especially now that it is getting a bit cooler. Over the last four weeks Kenn and I have been blessed with two four-day excursions within our state of Georgia. Two weeks ago we drove two hours from Atlanta to the North Georgia mountains to stay in a cabin just outside the town of Blairsville. Flea markets abound there and I found some good treasures, most of which will be painted. I began a painting of the cabin we stayed in to give to the owners but am still working to finish it––thus no painting posts to date.

With only one weekend to regroup we went on a ( 4 day ) weekend trip this time to S outh Georgia. It was three hours down to Fitzgerald, farm country, and then east to the Golden Isles ( 4 and a half hours from Atlanta to the Golden Isles ). We stopped to pick a sprig of cotton on the way to Fitzgerald to check out a dog breeder and to visit Kenn's high school friend. Dan is the guy who sent me the red corn which I painted earlier and I finally got to taste those fabulous grits he grinds from his special red Arkansas corn––they were absolutely the best thing I've had in a very long time! What a difference they are from store bought grits! I'm going to have to paint up a bowl so you non-southerners can see what grits look like. We spent the day and night on Dan's "farm" and enjoyed heavenly barbeque pork that he had smoked overnight and into the next day until dinner. He makes his own charcoal! We enjoyed his horses, his hunting dogs, his wonderful family and the food as well!

The next day we set off to the Historic town of Brunswick, Ga. There we roamed the oak lined streets of the quaint downtown area, moss hanging from the hundred year old trees. We spent time on Jekyll Island and St Simon's Island, each only a twenty minute drive from Brunswick. The town of Brunswick and the two area islands each have a different atmosphere, culture and way of life. It is unusual that an area has such a variety of things to do within a short distance. There is tourist business there but you don't get the sense that the population as a whole is depending on that. The townfolk and islanders are just regular people living a wonderful lifestyle near the coast. The pace is much slower and relaxed, the people friendly and happy in this low country. Of course I took many photos, some of which I may paint and also review often as wish I

was there again. I know that we will be taking many more trips to this beautiful part of Georgia. I'm sharing a few of the shots so you can see a bit of the South. ( St. Simon's Beach, cafe in Brunswick, sunset from marina on Jekyll Island and view from Spanky's restaurant deck as we ate lunch)

Arkansas Red and White Corn - SOLD

2010-09-26T19:25:00.005-04:00

"Arkansas Red and White"

5.5" x 7.5" Oil on linen panel.
sold

A high school friend ( Dan Alexander) now living in South Georgia grows this rare Arkansas corn as a hobby. Some ears are red and some white and he grinds it at a local mill to make his own corn meal and grits. I hear that these grits are the best one's ever tasted and I can't wait to get my shipment in the mail soon.

He mailed me some of the dried ears to paint and I must say that I put off the task, thinking the corn was going to be a challenge. I tried to reach a happy medium between super realism and suggestive representation which wasn't so hard after all. The color of this corn is amazing. The original painting is closer than a photo can capture, with the corn being a deep alizarin crimson.

Still Life with Acorns and Bean Pot - SOLD

2010-09-24T01:07:00.005-04:00

"Acorns and Bean Pot"

5.75"x 7.75" Oil on linen panel.
sold

Many things have kept me from painting lately but a recent trip to the North Georgia mountains was the one thing that was worth it. My husband and I stayed in a cabin in Blairsville, Ga. and had the most relaxing and rejuvenating time that we've had in many years. I didn't take my paints but my camera was very busy. I don't often paint landscapes but I have some wonderful photos from our explorations that begged to be painted. Fall was in the air, it being 10 degrees cooler than here in Atlanta. Oh I so want fall to be here in full force! I'm looking forward to the wonderful color we have here in Atlanta with our many trees.

The bean pot was a find while antique/ flea market shopping in the mountains. It is a Heinz 57 bean pot produced in the 70's to make individual servings of baked beans. It is so cute and has the most wonderful deep reddish brown glaze. Such little things bring joy.

Green Pears Still Life

2010-09-11T17:01:00.006-04:00

"Two and a Half Pears"

5.75"x 7.75" Oil on linen mounted on board.

$100. + $8. s&h

More backyard pears as long as they last.... Well actually I took a lot of photos, so they will last a long time I hope. You never know when you can lose those images. Several months ago my hard drive crashed and burned and I lost not only photos of several months of painting shots, but also many reference shots for future paintings. I got wise ( I thought ) and started regular back up to an external hard drive. I was still wanting extra protection and planned on backing up with an off site service as well. I should have done that sooner! My external hard drive crashed now! Thankfully I had transferred many files to my new computer a couple of months ago, but felt safe leaving many of those still life set up shots on the eternal which are now lost. So don't procrastinate if you are considering a backup plan for your computer!

I was going to use Carbonite, but after reading many poor customer reviews I have gone with iDrive and am very happy so far. I did do a lot of research to find a service with great reviews but the real test will be if I need to retrieve files someday. Please have an automatic back up plan!!! It is a must for an artist.

Tabasco Sauce - SOLD

2010-09-07T23:51:00.006-04:00

"Tabasco Sauce"

7"x 5" oil on linen panel
$80. + $8 s&h sold

Aside from making this bottle look round and paint all that type on the label, I wanted to experiment a little with the background. Half in light and half in dark creates a graphic play on the colors. Don't you just love the color of this sauce and that green label around the top all makes for a striking subject.

Strawberries and English Tea Towel

2010-09-04T12:56:00.004-04:00

"Strawberries and English Tea Towel"

5.75"x 7.75" Oil on linen panel.
$100. + $8 s&h

As I go back to my familiar fruit and vegetable still lifes I continue to work toward my desired balance between realism and impressionism. I think in this painting I am close to that balance in some areas, so I'm happy. Some artists who ( for my taste ) have reached a beautiful balance and who continue to influenced my work are:

Julian Merrow-Smith
Justin Clayton
Peter Yesis
Qiang-Huang

When I lose my way, I spend time looking at the artists that I admire and become newly inspired. It is not that I want to emulate their style so much, as it is that I strive for expressive sensitive brushwork, expansion of color selection, interesting and strong compositions, and much more. I study what they have done to produce their masterpieces and strive to incorporate into my work what I have learned from their examples. It would be so boring if we could do it all from the beginning. The journey of developing as an artist is the most fulfilling thing that I do.

Cut Tomatoes No.2 - SOLD

2010-08-30T20:39:00.005-04:00

"Tomatoes and Knife"

5"x 7" Oil on mounted linen.
sold

Should I admit that this was what we artists call a "wiper"? After my last painting of tomatoes in a very rendered tighter style, I wanted to loosen up and bring some life to the subject. When I stopped painting yesterday it looked very different from this final painting. I had painted the background with a loose cutting board wood grain and it looked more like a striped pattern in colors that weren't enhancing the red tomato. I put in my to-be-continued file called the "freezer" ( literally).

Today I began reworking it and got deeper and deeper into trouble, I had a real mess on my hands. The panel was going to be wiped clean when I gave it a final play with the palette knife. I hate to give up, you see. After changing the background I used brushes to work on the tomatoes in order to blend the two looks of brush and palette knife applications. I must say that I think I pulled it out of the total failure status and it deserves to go in my drying chamber. Cool texture!

sold

Cut Tomatoes

2010-08-27T23:33:00.007-04:00

"Summer Staples"

6"x 6" Oil on board. $99. + $8. s&h

The tomatoes, even from the grocery, have been so flavorful this year. Kenn and I have them sliced for almost every meal. I have to buy them as soon as we are out just like any staple in our pantry.

Last summer I did a series of tomato paintings and found that I love painting them. I prefer rendering a whole tomato in a very tight way in order to represent that beautiful smooth skin, then when painting the sliced ones I can have fun with swirling the paint around.

Peaches, Pears and Pakistani Pitcher - SOLD

2010-08-26T21:34:00.005-04:00

"Peaches, Pears and Pakistani Pitcher"

5"x 7" Oil on board. Unframed $99. + $8. s&h

A bit much for 5x7? I was ambitious, but I do think it will make a nice little framed painting. More of the backyard pears and a thrift store pitcher inspired this work. The pattern on the pitcher was worth the time I think.

sold

Cut Pear and Peach

2010-08-24T22:52:00.004-04:00

"Cut Pear and Peach"

5"x 7" Oil on board. $80. + $8 s&h

Backyard pears are abundant and I have taken multiple photos of multiple set ups. This is the first fruit still life I've done in a while in my more realistic style and I have to say that I enjoyed being back in my comfort zone. I'm dedicating this painting to Dave - you know who you are : )

Three Apples Still Life

2010-08-22T22:29:00.007-04:00

"Granny and the Girls"

5"x 7" Oil on linen panel.

My exercise today was to work with a high key painting and to tone down the contrasts in value.
I was working from a photo so the values where naturally stronger and the shadows were darker than real life. The overall effect of narrowing the value range gives the apples a softer and almost atmospheric appearance. My favorite is the "girl" on the right. It looks like she is squeezing up to big sister.
$80. + $8. s&h

Roses and Hydrangeas - Sold

2010-08-21T01:21:00.007-04:00

"Roses and Hydrangeas"

7"x 5" Oil on board.

It was a day for more practice on roses. I pulled this photo out of my floral file and just painted today without thinking much about it. The glass and water come easy to me but those roses still kick me in the ___.
$80. + $8 s&h

sold

Cherries, Plum, and Yellow Pitcher

2010-08-18T23:05:00.005-04:00

Click on image to enlarge.

7"x 8" Oil on linen panel
$100. + $10 s&h

The thrift store yellow pitcher inspired color ! I had a bit of fun pushing the color and using a palette knife on the background. It was all about the joy of paint on this one.

The photos of this and my last painting are picking up pink in my white areas. When I try to remove the "red" with photoshop I haven't been successful. Please understand that the camera is not able to give a perfect reproduction. The original is always a pleasant surprise.

Young Girl Making Water Ripples - SOLD

2010-08-17T00:15:00.013-04:00

"Summer Ripples"

7"x 5" Oil on linen panel.

Today's painting was inspired by a photo taken by WetCanvas member "valleysk" named "Water Ripples". I removed one girl and rearranged the ripples around this figure. With the day being overcast and the colors muted, I was able to experiment with a new color scheme.
$80. + $8 s&h - sold

Girl in Sand - SOLD

2010-08-15T19:22:00.014-04:00

"Porcelain Doll"

click on images to enlarge

7"x 5" Oil on linen panel.
sold

Lately I've had a hard time finding things to paint. I have a lot of still life photos in my computer files that I have been shooting over the last few years, but changing my style and changing up subject matter, I have gone looking for other sources. WetCanvas has a good library of copyright free images shared by its members and I've found some good reference there.

This latest painting is from a member know as "Lexiashea" and the title of her photo is "Child at Beach". I was drawn to this delicate and fair child, just loving the porcelain like quality of her pink skin in the cool light. I hope that is what I have captured in my painting today. I'm having so much fun painting figures after the couple of years of fruits and vegetables. I'll be painting those also but hopefully in a new way.

Birthday Party

2010-08-14T20:48:00.012-04:00

"Birthday Cake"

click on image to enlarge
7"x 5" Oil on linen panel

After many distractions, like having the plumbing replaced under my house!, I'm back at the easel again. I don't know about you but when I have a lot of stressful things going on and workmen going in and out through my work space, I find it a bit difficult to paint! This last week was a week like that. How rewarding it was to paint this little party piece today with no one to bother me. My husband took a photo of this scene a few years ago at one of our friend's party and I just love how the light illuminated this girl's face. I'm happy in that I think I captured the moment.

$80.+ $8.s&h.

Boy at the Beach

2010-08-03T18:08:00.005-04:00

"Sand Bucket"

7.5"x 5.5 Oil on gessoed linen

Another image from my recent beach trip inspired this study. I just love to see children of all ages playing with such excitement and delight at our beautiful beaches. Again my goal was to see and paint shapes taking care to record accurate values. I also played around with the color wheel in choosing colors other than the actual local colors. I'm quite happy with the result this time and I needed that!

Some of the success of this piece is in part due to painting on wonderful linen. I had forgotten the joy of doing so. While doing these "exercises" I have been using Frederix canvas pads to not waste good board or linen. Forget that! Linen made a big difference in how I put the paint down- so much easier.

I used no medium on this painting but I did use the new solvent I talked about in my last post (Turpenoid Natural). I liked it and I didn't. It takes a little getting used to. For one, the paint doesn't sink to the bottom of the can, just staying suspended in the liquid. The liquid is a little thicker than regular Turpenoid, very much like it has a few drops of clear liquid hand cleaner in it. When you clean your brush it almost feels like there is a little soap left in it but it doesn't seem to affect the paint. And two, I found that I had to swish my brush, squeeze with paper towel and repeat more times than with regular solvents. After several hours of exposure I still got a headache but time will tell if it was the Turpenoid Natural or just a coincidence. I'd love to hear of anyone's experience with Turpenoid Natural.

Vintage Blue Teapot

2010-07-31T19:38:00.005-04:00

"Blue Teapot"

8"x 8" Oil on gessoed illustration board.

This teapot was a birthday gift last year from Kenn and I love it. I think it is from the 50's and has the greatest shape and color. I will be painting it more in the future, this painting not really doing it justice.

With this session I wanted to do another study of shapes and and values, keeping my image simple and quick. To me the painting just looked messy and sloppy so I kept working on it until it was presentable, but not want I had in mind. While doing this study I also experimented with a new paint medium, Gamblin Galkyd Gel. It bulks up the paint and also makes it brush on smoother. I found that it did both, but it speeds up the drying time as well, which I didn't expect. Because I was taking extra time on the piece, my mixed pools of paint were drying and becoming sticky and the paint became difficult to work with. By the time it was all done, this painting was a bear to photograph! As I had reworked some of the background while the paint was drying, deep grooves formed in the surface and all the paint dried with a shiny gloss. Heavier photoshop retouching was needed to remove more than usual "shine" specks on the image. I share all this detail because it is my opinion that to share our struggles as well as successes in our painting journey is a benefit to other growing artists.

I'll experiment with the new gel medium (new to me) some more and let you know how I like it. Next I'll be using some Turpenoid Natural as my solvent and brush cleaner. I'm trying it out because the odorless solvents have begun giving me headaches. The Turpenoid Natural is a liquid, non-toxic, nonflammable brush cleaner that can be safely combined with oil and alkyd paints under certain guidelines. It is not odorless but smell like citrus which is one of the ingredients. After my next painting I'll give a report on it. Gee, let me see what other new ingredients to my painting norms can I add - new style, new brushes, new medium, new colors, new solvent, new computer, and new photoshop. Maybe I should change my name!

Windy Beach Scene with Figure

2010-07-28T19:25:00.009-04:00

"Red Towel"

7.5 "x 4.5" oil on unmounted gessoed canvas. Alla Prima.
Painted from my photo from Surfside Beach, SC.

I've begun working on some exercises from artist Peggi Kroll- Robert's videos. I thought I would study these to help me see the simpler shapes and loosen up my approach to image making. I bought all six of her 30 minute lessons and am learning several things that are so important––things that I seem to have missed along the way. One mystery that was cleared up for me was what the heck to do with a value study? If I made one, I hardly ever referred to it.

In this particular painting I was working with a three-value study. It is difficult to understand the process from looking at this finished study, but the idea is to keep the local colors within those three values that you choose from the outset. With the aid of a gray value scale placed on my board, I matched the local colors to these three values (using the value scale on my board), painting in the dark colors first, middle values next and then the lights. At the end I just added a light or dark here and there just where I thought it was needed.

Another part of this exercise was to combine the dark shapes or connect them as you simplify them––the same done with the other two values. The purpose of working this way is to establish in the beginning the value plan that reads across the room as well as it does up close. Then when you add color you purpose to keep your colors in that same value plan. The end result should be a painting that is organized by value and reads well from any distance. Establishing that value plan in the beginning is essential.

This last weekend I watched all the videos, one after another. After all that input, my mind was swimming! It really helped that I took some notes as I watched or I would have been so lost about how to start. I have combined several of the exercises together in this painting being the impatient artist that I am. I wanted instant, end-of-workshop, super painting! Now I need to go back and slow down and do the exercises step by step... or do I?

Orange Slices and Coffee

2010-07-24T23:48:00.006-04:00

"Skinny Breakfast"

6.5"x6.5" Oil on unmounted canvas.

I haven't been able to get to my easel for a couple of weeks now. My husband has been using our shared computer a lot lately and next to my easel is where the shared computer lives. Ever since my Mac crashed in March, we have learned how difficult it is for the modern couple to share the same computer. Aren't we spoiled?

So Yeah!!! I got my "new" iMac this last Wednesday and I've been spending time getting acquainted with it. I bought a 2009 iMac Leopard and it is a beauty and fast! If you ever want to purchase a refurbished Mac I highly recommend Powermax.com and Gary Mead was exceptional in customer service. Thanks, Gary! After a lot of research before buying online I found that this company is known to be the very best in the market for what they do. They did not disappoint!

Because my Mac is so much newer than my last, it was necessary to upgrade Photoshop Elements from 2 to 8. I can't wait to see all that it will do. The learning curve will be slow for me but I do have a smart hubby to help. I'm a bit overwhelmed with adapting to the many new "toys" but I'm also feeling very blessed!

Meanwhile I've been studying new artists, techniques and watching art videos. Getting back to the easel today on this piece, it felt a little like learning to ride a bike all over again. Lately I've been trying to paint with a greater emphasis on values, simple shapes and with broader brushstrokes. I still seem to stay in that uncomfortable place between my tighter style and the loose minimal style I'm trying to achieve. I know this will be a long road and I'll just have to keep moving in that direction until I start to "get it". For those of you that don't paint, it must seem very strange for an artist to want to move from painting realistically to a style of simple shapes and loose, minimal brushstrokes. I think the allure is the challenge it is to move to this other end of the style spectrum. It looks so easy but much harder than it looks! Painters will know....

Dog on Beach

2010-07-12T19:41:00.010-04:00

"Scooby"

6"x8" Oil on canvas.

Click on images to enlarge.

I've been looking forward to capturing this dog in paint and I'm pleased with the result. My photo's color is off a bit with the water being is a little greener in the painting but the dog looks perfect. I'm don't know my dog breeds well but this guy reminds me of the cartoon character, Scooby Doo.

ebay soon.

Young girl at the Beach

2010-07-11T13:12:00.005-04:00

"The Green Pail"

Click on images to enlarge.

Approx. 6"x 6" Oil on gessoed canvas.

Oh yeah.... (said slowly) Now that painting was fun! I've been conflicted lately on how to paint. Do I paint more realistically or do I continue to move toward a looser, more impressionistic style? I've always been drawn to impressionism and loose brushwork but my efforts to move in that direction have been slow and sometimes discouraging. Today I felt like I achieved success in painting what I could see in my mind. It was so satisfying that I know that I want to continue in this direction for a while.

This piece was painted from a recent photo from Surfside Beach in SC. It is the same little girl that I painted earlier, "Alley Sees a Crab".

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, email me at marilynmking@yahoo.com.

Portrait of Man in a Hat

2010-07-07T23:17:00.005-04:00

"Kenn"

8"x 6" Oil on linen

I have been painting! I wiped this portrait of my husband twice and then started over on new linen this afternoon. So I've been painting on this over three days.

The reference for this portrait is a photo I took about five years ago. Kenn doesn't have the mustache anymore, but he has worn one about thirty out of the almost 40 years we have been married. He's such a hunk......

Sunflowers in a Vase - SOLD

2010-07-02T23:23:00.007-04:00

"Sunny Sunflowers"

6"x 6" Oil on board.
sold

It's another housecleaning still life. While taking a break from cleaning Cindi's house I moved these sunflowers to a window for the backlit view and took some quick shots.
Maybe I should do a "Housecleaning" painting series. Now that would be unique.

Blue Hydrangeas - SOLD

2010-06-28T23:48:00.005-04:00

"The Hydrangea Corner"

5"x 7" Oil on oil primed linen panel.
sold
Click on image to enlarge.

These are my favorite flowers - the blue is what wins me over. Can they be real? God is good!

While cleaning Charlene's home she had these beauties set up in her dining room corner with the sun beaming through the windows. I carry a camera most days when going to our client's homes and steal a shot of various subjects to paint. I was glad to have had the camera that day.....

Chick Egg Timer and Eggs - SOLD

2010-06-26T22:42:00.007-04:00

"Your Time is Up"

8"x 8" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard.

sold

I painted this in my head all day yesterday, planning the distortion and color. I pictured it with really thick and juicy paint with lots of texture. The high key color palette and the distortion were a success but I'll have to work on that really thick textured paint later. Maybe the paint goes down thicker on linen than board or maybe I need to add something to the paint. My experimentation has never led me to being able to put the paint down really thick without using a palette knife. I'll try again on linen and see if I can achieve that textured look.
I think the problem is that I'm just stingy with my paint!

My usual palette is darker and more intense color using high contrast. I wanted to force myself to paint a high key painting with more subtle contrast, so I really pushed those things far from the appearance of my still life set up. I wanted to see if the distortion would add some sort of dialogue between objects as well as interest and movement. I could have carried it much farther, but baby steps are ok too. I didn't want to be too crazy!

Yellow Roses with Red Tips

2010-06-23T22:59:00.004-04:00

"Pint Size Roses"

7"x 5" Oil on linen panel.

The roses are yellow with random splashes of pinkish red tips and spots. The rose bush grows at my friend's home and they are the most fragrant and beautiful roses I know of. I wish we knew what they were! My painting doesn't begin to do them justice. Oh well. The rose painting practice continues. The pint size milk bottle I found on a recent trip to the mountains while antique shopping - perfect little vase.

For purchase info please email me at marilynmking@yahoo.com

Pet Portrait

2010-06-21T17:21:00.003-04:00

"Handsome Boy Shad-O"

6"x 6" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard. nfs

This is our good seven year old Shad-O. The painting was my husband's Father's Day gift, for the boy is the closest being to a son we've ever had. He is the smartest, sweetest, and best looking doggie in the whole world, don't you think?

I hope you Dad's out there had a great and blessed day!

The Shell Seeker - SOLD

2010-06-18T21:56:00.010-04:00

"The Shell Seeker"

7"x 5" Oil on oil primed linen panel.

This "study" turned into a labor of love. I wiped and repainted many parts but stuck with it and in the end I'm quite pleased with it. This image is from another pic I took on my recent beach vacation. The kid shots are my favorite with their joy and playful movements.

Click images to enlarge.
View Ebay listings here.

Cup of Tea and Clementine

2010-06-16T00:40:00.005-04:00

"Cup of Tea and Clementine"

6"x 6" Oil on Ampersand Board

I'd had a full day and thought I'd do an easy simple subject. Easy subject it is but difficult painting it was. I painted the background over many times and made corrections over and over again. After my in-studio critic (husband Kenn) said it looked forced, it was out with the brushes yet again and another new background created to remove all the texture. I'm done.....time for tea.

For purchasing info go to the ebay listing here.

Plate of Strawberries- SOLD

2010-06-15T00:44:00.006-04:00

"Berry Sweet"

5"x 7" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard.

Going bold with my colors seems to be making me happy! I feel freeeeeeee - kind of wild and crazy too. In fact after I painted this one I noticed that the background reminds me of Van Gogh. He was a little crazy too if I remember......

Tea Cup and Pink Roses

2010-06-14T08:48:00.005-04:00

"Pretty in Pink"

8"x 6" Oil on oil primed linen.

I thought that while I'm loosened up a bit I'd try roses again. They have always stumped me and this time I think I'm getting closer than ever to achieving the look I'm after. I couldn't resist the detail in the cup. It may be inconsistent with the rest of the painting but I like it anyway. It's back to simpler subjects next. I was compelled to paint these roses from our yard.

Over and out from Hotlanta! It's hot!!!!!!!!!!

Available for $100. This painting is not mounted yet. If you are interested email me at marilynmking@yahoo.com.

Peaches With Leaves - SOLD

2010-06-13T10:35:00.005-04:00

"Peach Fuzz"

6"x 8" Oil on gessoed hard panel

This painting is still following the new direction I seem to be going. I'm forcing myself to work quicker and go on my instincts rather than think too much. I really enjoy painting this way, but I don't think I could have done this kind of painting before now even though I have been trying to achieve it. It feels like someone came into my house and opened a door that I had never opened before and found a whole new room. Don't you love those aha moments?

I think as I continue exploring this quicker and looser way of painting I need to make sure I don't fall into gimmicks. I love the swishy brush strokes to soften edges, but I want to make sure I don't overdo it. Mainly I just want to put down the larger shapes of color in a quicker and more direct way. Adding life and movement is my goal as well as just painting faster. What happened to my retreat to my "comfort zone" only a few days ago? Although this is very new to me, it doesn't feel uncomfortable.

Three Hot Peppers - SOLD

2010-06-12T19:00:00.006-04:00

"Three Hot Ones"

5"x 7" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard.

I was hot on this one! It sure was fun to just let loose and plop down globs of paint. I think I'll do another.

sold

Peaches and Silver Cup - SOLD

2010-06-11T23:46:00.006-04:00

"Peaches and Silver Cup"

5"x 7" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard.

I feel the need to go back to my comfort zone for a few paintings. Still lifes are where my strengths are best realized and gessoboard my favorite surface, so here I go.....

Georgia peaches are being harvested and they are the best! Yummm.
sold

Goat Island on Murrell's Inlet

2010-06-08T00:11:00.004-04:00

"Goat House on Murrell's Inlet"

6"x 8" oil on gessoed linen panel.

I'm painting again from my recent beach trip photos. We were staying near Murrell's Inlet where all the seafood restaurants and the night life was hap'nin. Behind Drunken Jack's is an small island where goats and peacocks are raised. It's fun to walk along the marina pier and watch the entire goat herd run from one end of the island to the other and stir up the many birds roosting there. Good memories.

I feel like a dummy. I recently read on someone's blog about coating one's canvas with a clear medium mixture of turps and lindseed oil in preparation for painting. Or you can mix white oil paint in with this same mixture and use a white medium to coat your canvas. It was explained that this would help in painting skys and distant landscape elements.

The reason I feel like a dummy is because I ask myself - where have I been? I never knew about this. Being self taught so far, I just missed this valuable step. Maybe lots of artists do this and maybe not, I just don't know. On this painting I was using one of my older linen panels that is coated with a clear gesso. I have in the past added another two coats of white gesso and still disliked the surface. I took one of these linen panels (already coated with the white gesso) and painted on a light coat of a mixture of half turps and half stand oil. I loved how the paint just glides on much like when painting on the oil primed linen. Again, where have I been! So this is how to paint on canvas!

By the way, linseed oil is supposed to dry faster and cure harder. I'll have to purchase some, but the stand oil seemed to work fine. You still have to think about the fat over lean principle while building your painting, so I didn't thin my paint with turpentine for the bit of under-painting I put down. I'll definitely do some experimenting with this. Please anyone jump in a make comments about your experience using a medium to coat your canvas! This was an alla prima painting completed in about three hours.

Magnolia Blossom - SOLD

2010-05-30T21:23:00.007-04:00

"Southern Icon"

5"x 7" Oil on oil primed linen panel

There is hardly anything that represents the deep south more than the Magnolia tree. I'm not sure why except that they just grow really well here. They are blooming all over my Atlanta neighborhood now and the fragrance is so sweet. The blooms are magnificent and the light makes the thick white petals glow which is just what I attempted to communicate in my painting. The Gardenias are in bloom as well and it is wonderful going for a walk with my dog and smelling all the sweetness of late spring.
sold

Ally at Surfside Beach - SOLD

2010-05-22T22:10:00.009-04:00

"Ally Sees a Crab"

5"x 7" Oil on oil primed linen panel.
Click on images to enlarge.

sold

My husband and I met Alley on the beach and she was delighted to see her first blue crab. Her excited expression was priceless as Kenn held the live crab up for her to see.

What a difference I've found painting on oil primed linen! The seagull painting that I did earlier and this one are my first experiences with this surface. The paint just guides on similar to the Ampersand Gessoboard that I love. I dislike painting small paintings on gessoed linen or canvas due to the texture and absorbency. As I struggled with my previous beach scene on gessoed canvas and then painted this on the new panels, I experienced all the difference in the world!!!!

I found these new linen panels online at Jerry's Artarama made by Centurion. ( Centurion OP DLX ) Now on sale until June 15th. If you are looking for 6x8 sizes the canvas pads are available in this hard to find size.
I know that I'm a bit slow - I've heard that it is a wonderful thing, painting on oil primed linen, but it's a bit pricey. These panels are quite reasonable in all sizes and I also bought some canvas pads of the same canvas and finish. I may become addicted.

Surfside Beach, S.C.

2010-05-19T00:07:00.005-04:00

"Cruising Surfside"

6"x 12" Oil on stretched canvas.

Painted from a shot from my recent trip to Surfside Beach, you can see Myrtle Beach in the distance. This was a very windy day with sand blowing horizontally across the beach whipping against the cruiser's legs as they walked along. The many clouds overhead cast constantly moving shadows along the beach and bathers. What a wonderful day it was!

It didn't take me long to realize the difficulty I was having with this painting was largely due to the textured surface of the cotton canvas. I'm so used to working on board, which better yields itself to details and also takes a lot less paint! I have thought in the past when working on canvas that I'm being too stingy with the paint. After covering this beach scene with paint all over in non-thinned oil paint and letting it dry, I went back with thicker paint and large brushes. This worked much better for me but I do think that I've tried to include a bit more detail than I should on this size canvas. I really like the brushstrokes as they appear on the original, but the photo is lacking in it's ability to show them. Still rusty from my time away... moving on.....

Surfside Beach Seagulls - SOLD

2010-05-16T23:20:00.012-04:00

"Seaside Chat"

5"x 7" Oil on oil primed linen panel.

For those of you wondering where I've been for a month and a half, I could write a book, but it would be rather boring. The short version is life happens - good and bad things get in the way of painting. Elderly folks issues, cleaning business, beach week vacation, viruses, commissioned piece, and catch up time for all; is a worthy list.

Our week in Surfside Beach, S.C. was perfect in every way. I didn't take any paints, but took over 500 digital images and have some great photo reference. I started out with something simple painting these seagulls and although a bit rusty, I enjoyed painting them. Another painting is in progress that I'm struggling with but I hope to complete it in the next day or so. Oh, did I say that the beach was perfect? Great weather, yummy seafood, beautiful views and blessed time with the hubby.

Click here for purchase info.

"Peeled Orange No.2"
6"x 6" Oil on gessoed board.

I've included a shot of the commissioned piece that I completed after our trip. You may recognize "Peeled Orange" from an earlier post. Someone was sorry to have missed purchasing the first one and requested my painting it again. I thought you may like to see the differences and similarities of the two. It is easier in some ways and more difficult in other ways to duplicate one's own work. The drawing, composition and lighting are worked out already, but it is difficult to keep it fresh and "inspired". I had to really work at the "inspired" part.

Well I hope I'm back......

sold

Sakura - Japanese Flowering Cherry

2010-03-30T23:02:00.010-04:00

"Sakura"

8"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

Sakura is translated into "Japanese Flowering Cherry." This particular variety has blossoms that look like puff balls and are salt-pickled to make a tea used at weddings and festival events. I loved painting the pink flowers and saw the perfect companion item for this still life displayed right there in my living room.

My desire to keep the brushwork loose and the shapes and details simpler was realized in this piece. I really like the result and hope to be able to continue this approach. It has been a struggle of mine since the beginning of my return to painting three years ago to see shapes and not objects and has been a long time coming. The illustrator in me has refused to die easily and continues to surface time and time again. This time she was held at bay. Yeah!!!!

My computer's hard drive died a week and a half ago!!!! Yikes. I didn't have the software to cause automatic backups and nothing had been saved to my secondary hard drive since November 30, '09. When in the shop I learned that my files of the last 3 and half months were lost forever. I think I learned my lesson - the hard way. My computer was repaired, but at eight years old and the screen turning yellow I'm shopping for a "new" used Mac. This is not good at tax time, not even imagining what a tax REFUND is. You self employed people out there know what I mean!

Ebay link.

Pauline Chapel in Colorado Springs- SOLD

2010-03-17T21:17:00.007-04:00

"Pauline Chapel"

10"x 8" Oil on board.

Last week I found a new painting challenge while viewing Dana Cooper's blog. She had painted the given photo beautifully and I was inspired to try my hand at it. Artist and photographer Lee Brown's blog "A Day Not Wasted" is posting a new painting challenge for anyone who wants to created art from his gorgeous photo. Each month he will post a new photo and I'm looking forward to seeing what he offers based on March's photo of this beautiful church in Colorado Springs.

This was definitely a challenge for me. The architecture alone was a challenge. I didn't even think about attempting it without a detail drawing to get the proportions and perspective correct. I don't often do landscapes and the trees really stumped me. I wiped them twice before settling on these after working through the placement of the sky holes and getting the shapes pleasing. I'm still learning how to simplify elements and shapes, and had a strong image in my mind of the desired painting, but my fingers and brushes are still learning.

The one area that developed how I envisioned it was the sunlit steeple. I love the thick paint and simple shapes. Many of the other areas were wiped a couple of times before reaching the finish. In the beginning I was making a complete mess of the trees and after studying other admired artists I saw some progress. Toward the end I turned my back for just a moment and those little bitty brush fairies came out from hiding and went to town. I haven't figured out yet how to keep them from invading at the end of paint sessions. :D It was a great challenge and I learned a lot.

sold

Wild Daffodils - SOLD

2010-03-13T21:07:00.009-05:00

"Wild Daffodils"

7"x 5" Oil on board.

We lost our beautiful spring weather to a cool rain all week but I picked the daffodils before the wet weather arrived. They have been beckoning me from the window sill and with brief bits of sun today I was able to capture this backlit view.

I'm still exploring different approaches to flower painting. When I began several years ago I was painting each petal. Now finding the right balance of loose brushwork and seeing and painting only shapes is my goal. It is a journey in growth and someday I'll have more confidence with flowers. I've heard from other artists that flowers, especially roses, are difficult for painters in general. I so admire those who have mastered this and realize that it comes with much practice and study. If anyone has a favorite book or DVD to recommend, please do!

sold

Cabbage and Onions Still Life - SOLD

2010-03-09T19:14:00.014-05:00

"Cabbage and Onions"

8"x 10" Oil on gessoed board.
sold
This painting began it's origins during the frigid winter weather when the appeal of comfy cozy food was on my mind –– that was only about three weeks ago! Spring is here in Atlanta with beautiful sunny weather in the mid to high 60's so now I feel the need to paint daffodils!

I didn't think I'd ever finish this piece. It's been in cold storage in the freezer between short painting sessions. As shown in the small pic you can see that I began with a tonal drawing with thinned oil paint and some turps. The subject was a little more involved than usual so I painted a larger 8x10 format which is large for me! But that is not why this painting required such a lengthy birth. Life has just been hectic and busy, my day job is taking more hours and there's this lingering sinus thing. I know I don't have to explain but I do beat up on myself when I'm not producing art! I want to see progress and growth again and that only comes with consistency. Does anyone know of an art commune with an opening? I'm ready to retreat!

Portrait of Karin Jurick

2010-02-19T03:17:00.004-05:00

"Karin"

10"x 8" Oil on board

This is a portrait of the well known fabulous artist Karin Jurick, much admired and loved by faithful followers of her DSFDF blog. She has inspired and challenged many artists to paint from a photo she provides on her blog and then goes through the tedious process of posting them all ( usually 125+ every two weeks! ). Many of the regular participating artist's of the last two years have given her a great big "thank you" by painting her from a photo she provided in last year's portrait swap. Jill Polsby organized the whole project, provided the photo, and created a book of the portraits for Karin as a big surprise. Thanks Jill, I was so happy to be able to participate in your project and to show Karin gratitude for all her work. Click here to see all 118 portraits of Karin.

I'd delayed posting my portrait, hoping to make some changes ( redoing the eye on the right +) before giving her the original, but decided to go ahead and post and if changes are made I'll just edit this post later. There was difficulty in photographing this for some reason. The shadows on the left cheek and chin that look so brown in the photo are not really that brown in the original. Using photoshop even failed to correct it, so I guess in cyberspace she'll just have to have a "dirty" face. Oh well.

Thank you Karin!!!!!!

Valentine Rose

2010-02-14T20:51:00.005-05:00

"Valentine Rose" ( final)

7"x 5" Oil on board.

The rose to the left was the first post and after looking at it for a while I decided to paint some more on it after it dried. The background needed a punch of color and the rose needed better definition. The final painting has a little more peach in the lighter background areas than I could show in the photo. The background blues are more greenish. The final rose is not as soft as it appears here either. I think I need a lesson in photography! Indoor light at night is what I usually use due to my schedule and it definitely has some draw backs.

RCA Victor Dog, "Nipper" - SOLD

2010-02-11T21:09:00.013-05:00

"Nipper"

5"x 7" Oil on board
sold

Hi! After a much too long break, I hope to be back to more regular painting now. If I make that statement then maybe I'll it will challenge me to not disappoint (myself). hehe,

I've wanted to paint this figurine for a while and in prep for the post was curious about the history, correct name, etc. of the icon. On exploring the internet, I discovered that this little pooch was English and born in 1884. Nipper was a mutt, part bull terrier and trace of fox terrier and liked to nip the back of people's legs, thus his name. After his first owner died, he was adopted by the owner's brother, Francis Barraud, a struggling painter. Nipper was fascinated by the then popular Phonograph, a cylinder recording and playing machine, and often stood before the machine and cocked his head, trying to determine from where the sound, his master's voice, was coming. Barraud commited this scene to memory and three years after Nipper passed away in 1895, he painted the scene.

The painting, "His Master's Voice", followed a long journey through rejection from exhibits, being turned down for reproduction in magazines and experiencing numerous unsuccessful offers to various Phonograph companies for advertising purposes. After several years the painting was finally sold when the phonograph was painted over ( by the artist ) and replaced with the new Gramaphone and was first published in 1900 in the Gramophone Company's advertising literature. Later that year when the company's owner dropped the painting as his label trademark, the Gramaphone's inventer, Emile Berliner, received the copyright for the painting's use in America eventually for the Victor Talking Machine Company (1901 -1929). The copyright was also assigned to Victor Japan in 1904. The history goes on and on with the logo being used today in the music and recording markets.

During his long and active working life, Francis Barraud painted 24 replicas of his painting for the Gramophone Company. Following his death in 1924, other artists carried on painting this scene until the end of the decade. Today the trademark sits firmly in the Top 10 of 'Famous Brands of the 20th Century'. Over the years the market for collectable items related to the trademark has enjoyed a long and wide success. This "Nipper" figurine in my painting is a great example of the many items sold. I never knew that the dog statue was fashioned from a painting and represented a real pet. I just love the painting's name and the precious story.

The history of this artist's pet painting is a great example of an artist's unwavering belief in the value of his work and relentless drive to find the appropriate audience for it. It is a good lesson on how the journey of one's art career is a life long persuit and not an overnight destination. We can take from his story much about staying the course and not giving up on the work we believe in. Even at the turn of the century, the artist had to leave his studio and engage in the business side of the art business to make things happen. I didn't find any info on his monetary compensation for the original painting, but the first one led to 24 others! This story encourages me to think outside the box and be open to ways to multiply my efforts and I hope you found it inspirational as well.

Southern Snow

2010-02-01T00:07:00.004-05:00

"Southern Snow"

6"x 8" Oil on Ramar canvas panel

After a long Holiday and January break I'm trying to warm up my painting muscles. With all the snow around the US, I was a bit jealous with Atlanta missing all the "fun". I took some photos during our last significant snow in 2008. Just walking around our neighborhood I took a shot of Kelly's picket fence which was just beautiful. The vines on the fence were loaded with snow and the dog prints in the snow encouraged me to include a doggy for added interest.

It's a good feeling to have completed a study today, maybe it won't be so difficult to jump back in now that I've taken the first step. It's a bit like physical exercise in that once you take time off, it's tough to get back into the rhythm. I've an unusually busy two weeks ahead in our business and a sinus infection, so wish me strong painting inspiration! Sometimes I'm offended when I hear "you are so talented" like those who have a little talent can just whip out a brush and create great art. It only comes with years of sacrifice, perseverance, study and practice, practice and more practice! If you are an artist, you know exactly what I mean!! Even after years of painting , "great" art is still an illusive goal. Only occasionally do I succeed in producing a painting with which I'm truly happy. Oh, just ignore me, this sinus headache is making me a bit b-----.

Portrait of me by Susan Carlin

2009-12-26T18:24:00.007-05:00

Painted by Susan Carlin

I was so blessed to have swapped portraits with the well known portrait artist, Susan Carlin. At the time I painted her portrait (seen in previous post) I didn't know who I was painting and if I had, I'd have been quite intimidated. Didn't she do a marvelous job! As she softened my facial lines a bit I love that I look in my 40's again! I'm so thrilled with it that I had to share it with you all who don't visit Karin's blog, Different Strokes From Different Folks, where this portrait swap originated.

If you'd like to take the time to follow Susan in painting this portrait, click here for the two sessions on USTREAM of her live demos. I think the total time for the two or maybe three videos is about 2 1/2 hours in length. Be sure to begin on the Dec 23 video if you want to start at the beginning.

I haven't been painting much in December, wonder why? lol And it looks like I'm going to have to delay getting back to it for a week or two. I just HAVE to clean my space!! If I lay one thing down for a second it takes me 15 minutes to find it again. Actually my entire house is like this. Today I spent time cleaning out kitchen cabinets and rearranging the contents to make life a bit easier. I need that everywhere. In my studio and office, I'm experiencing stress from all the clutter and disorganization around me. I just can't paint without creating a more relaxing environment. It's ironic that my husband and I run and operate a house cleaning business and do this all week for others but don't take the time to do ANYTHING at our house. Ugh! what a mess! So the next few days/weeks are for me to find peace in my home. I can't wait to get back to painting and in a clean studio.

I hope your New Year Celebrations are safe, fun and usher in a prosperous and blessed new year. Happy 2010!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T21:08:00.006-05:00

May God's love bring you much peace and many blessings this Christmas.
And Happy Holidays to you all!

13"x 10" oil pastel on illustration board. Illlustration for Moody Monthly Magazine. (mid 1980's)

DSFDF 2009 Portrait Swap

2009-12-13T15:32:00.010-05:00

8"x 10" Oil on linen panel.

This painting has been submitted to the 2009 portrait swap challenge on Karin Jurick's blog. After a year of biweekly challenges Karin gives each participating artist a "mystery" artist to paint for the month of December. That artist is painting our own portrait and at the end of the month we swap our portraits. It is something we all look forward to and I can't wait to see who this lovely artist is. Check out Karin's blog, "Different Strokes for Different Strokes" to see the different portraits posted all month.

I worked on this painting over two days, keeping the painting wet in the freezer overnight to continue to work wet into wet. The total time was about 12 hours. I hope she loves it and it is somewhat of a likeness. The funny thing is that I see myself in this portrait. That scares me a bit. hehe.

The Bridge of Sighs, Venice - SOLD

2009-12-09T02:03:00.010-05:00

"The Bridge of Sighs"

6"x 8" Oil on gessoed board.

The painting is based on a photo from my trip to Italy and Greece in 2006. I was so blessed to have been given this trip by my parents. Mom and I went on a Collette Vacations combination cruise and bus trip, taking us to Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Santorini, the Island of Rhodes and Dubrovnik, Croatia, just to name the highlights.
My photos are so precious that I select them to paint from only on rare occasions. I think I'm subconsciously waiting to paint these scenes until I'm a "better" painter, feeling inadequate to communicate what was such a profound experience for me. My time in Venice was a mere half day, just long enough to give me a taste of it's beauty and to fall in love with it forever. This image has been in my "ready to paint" file for three years now and I see this as a study in the future for something larger.

sold

Yellow Roses - SOLD

2009-11-30T23:16:00.010-05:00

"November Roses"

6"x 8" Oil on stretched canvas.

I was brave enough to try my brush at roses again. I'm getting closer to seeing the shapes but I'm not sure if this painting is finished yet. After spending too much time on it already I don't want to go too far. In my focus on keeping it loose and fresh I feel that I failed in capturing the subtle color shifts in the rose petals. The more I paint the more I realize how much I still need to learn, master, and explore. But it is encouraging to see where I have come from on this wonderful journey. Steady, diligent and focused work is the prescription for growth and improvement. I hope I don't sound discouraged! Just moving up a hill and giving myself a pep talk to carry on to the next level.

sold

Asparagus Spears- SOLD

2009-11-27T21:24:00.007-05:00

"Thanksgiving Asparagus"

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

Asparagus spears are a bit of a challenge. Those scales are hard to simplify into brush strokes that read correctly, the tendency being to tightly render them. At least it is my tendency. But I love the purples and greens in this vegetable and don't you find it wonderful that the band that binds the spears is always purple!
I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Red and Green Pear - SOLD

2009-11-22T23:47:00.017-05:00

"Pear on a Dovetailed Box"

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

I know, I know it's been done. But I had to put this beautiful and perfect pear on a pedestal. And I had to add a leaf - from another pear. The sad little pear with the leaf was small, spotted and not much to look at. I had picked it from a tree down the street from my home and taken some photos of it last summer. Little did it know at the time that it was to be sort of a body double for the real star someday and never make it all the way to the big stage.

sold

Blood Orange (sort of) or Amateur Orange Peeler - SOLD

2009-11-21T23:45:00.011-05:00

"Peeled Orange"

6"x 6" Oil on gessoed board.

I do occasionally plan my daily paintings and go shopping for specific things I desire to paint. I had seen a Blood Orange in a painting that was a deep
beautiful red and seen numerous paintings in which an orange was peeled or cut in a spiral where the peeling was left in one piece. Both of these elements interested me as painting subjects and when I saw the Blood Oranges at my Kroger, well then, there was my next painting. I bought two, just in case, bought the cat litter and home I went to peel my oranges. Do I cut the skin or do I just tear it? Seen it both ways. Cutting was my first try. The end result was to be an orange peeled half way with the peeling spiraling over the table edge. My revealed orange sections looked mangled. Deep blood red and mangled. Gee, how do I fix this? I eat it. Red spots all over my face and shirt but very juicy and delicious and I'm glad I bought two. Next try using the tear method. Sections look great but peeling tears up and not in one piece. What? is this the "blood orange" the little sticker says it is? This one looks like a regular orange except it begins turning red below the point where I have peeled. Now how was I supposed to know which one was to be the "red" one? So the orange and peel are from different oranges and I couldn't really name the piece "Blood Orange" it's just not up to it's name. It's not all about painting......

sold

Camellia Sasanqua - SOLD

2009-11-17T23:04:00.012-05:00

"Camellia Sasanqua"

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

Flowers have always stopped me short of my desired outcome in a painting. This is the first one that I could finally loosen up on and see the shapes and value relationships rather than petals and details. It is certainly not the best painting I've every done but I feel a great step forward and will have more confidence in approaching the next floral still life.

It was fun just pushing the paint around with bristle brushes and leaving an "unfinished" texture to the paint. My brush was used as a "drawing" tool and I worked with gestures similar to caligraphy. The paint was layed down is a direct approach without a toned surface and without even an initial drawing. I just started painting shapes and colors and slowly made smaller shapes within shapes.

My good neighbor friend Denise came by for a visit and brought me this camellia from her very large backyard bush. We daily painters never know where our next painting will come from - sometimes they come from a knock on the door.

Green Bowl of Cherries - SOLD

2009-11-16T21:36:00.010-05:00

"The Ayes Have It"

6.5" x 6" Oil on gessoed board.

I quess I've been watching and listening a little too much to politics lately making this title pop into my head. Unfortunately what is being voted on currently is NOT a bowl of cherries. But this painting makes me happy. I kind of felt like a Carol Marine groupie painting this. She is so great at cherries and this kind of chisel approach to shapes and negative spaces. Once again I lament the failure of my monitor to show the actual deep red tones. The cherry shadows are a deep Alizarin Crimson.
Available for $82. Click here for the opportunity to purchase.

sold

Persimmon and Leaf

2009-11-15T21:55:00.008-05:00

"Persimmon and Leaf"

6"x 9" Oil on stretched canvas.

This was one of those "STOP THE CAR" moments. Blocks down the street upon entering Mom and Dad's neighborhood, I could see a tree loaded with bright yellow fruit. I didn't know for sure what they were, but I knew they were good to paint if not to eat. Once again I "stole" a snipping from a stranger's yard. Bad me. Actually I had my hubby do the dirty deed with his trusty pocket knife.

After doing a search to make sure it was a persimmon, I found that this variety is the American one. The Japanese variety is shaped more like a tomato. What you hear about the pucker effect is true! Keep away from children and don't try this at home....
This painting is available for $85.00 and you can purchase it with the button below.

Holiday sale ! Click here to view ebay listings.

Backlit Oranges -SOLD

2009-11-01T16:36:00.009-05:00

"Backlit Oranges"

6"x 6" Oil on mounted canvas.

sold

I'm back in my comfort zone and happy. Anything backlit attracts me big time, although challenging , and I've been wanting to paint this still life for a while. Some of my "daily painting" activities involves setting up new still lifes and taking loads of digital photos. They get put away in different files on the Mac and sit waiting until I look through them again. Some evenings when I don't have the time or energy to paint, I 'll go through the many photos and select a few to crop, color correct and ready to use as reference and these few select go into my "Mare's Fix Pix" file. It is very much like cooking up several dishes on the weekend and putting them in the freezer for quick and ready dinners. When I want to paint, I just scan my file and pick out what wows me and get right to painting. This one is a special favorite and I think I was saving it for when I needed a "good" painting. It is good, all good........good color for Halloween too!

November 13... I haven't been painting much but while this piece has remained on my easel I kept seeing things to improve and worked away on making changes for the last two days. I don't know if it is better, but the clementines seemed to grow and I had to change the title to "oranges". hehe This piece really kicked me in the you know where. It was all about getting the values right. The colors didn't really matter but nothing worked without those many value relationships. Good exercise for me.

North Georgia State Fair Food Booth - SOLD

2009-10-28T00:56:00.005-04:00

"French Cuisine"

Click on images to enlarge.

6"x 8" Oil on gessoed board.

This subject was a real challenge. The type and many details, made it hard to simplify enough for a small study. An added difficulty for me was the desire to keep it loose and to focus on shapes rather than paint people and objects. Because I was working from a digital image I blurred (very blurred!) the photo on my monitor and painted from that until the painting was about half completed. Then I used the clear photo to finish. This was a lot easier on the eyes than squinting for hours! It really helped me to avoid painting detail from the start (duh! you cant' see them ). As I finished, I went slowly and was careful about not adding too many details, keeping my edges soft and working and reworking my brushwork to keep it consistent throughout. It's not exactly as I pictured it in my mind, but a lot closer to the desired result than my last post.

I tried a new substrate for these two fair paintings. I love Ampersand Gessoboard, but it is not available in my favorite size of late, 6"x 8". At Jerry's Artarama I found an Italian wood panel, Pannelli A Gesso in that size. There is a choice of super smooth and a texture called "cold pressed" which is similar to cold pressed illustration board. It is similar to a coarse watercolor paper without the rough fiber. On the corn dog painting I added an extra coat of gesso before painting hoping to smooth it out a little. On this painting I painted on the preprepared surface which was not the best decision. The ground just seemed to soak up the paint. The oil paint looked and handled more like gouache than oil paint, very matte finish. I think I'll try the smoother finish on my next purchase and see if I prefer it but I do like the fact that the panel is real wood, not the pressed stuff, and very light weight. The cost was very reasonable as well.

Carny at the Corn Dog Booth

2009-10-24T18:11:00.005-04:00

"Green Help at the Corn Dog Joint"

8"x 6" Oil on gessoed board.

For the last three years my hubby and I have attended the North Georgia State Fair in September. We both have taken about fifty digital photos each year with the intent to collect reference material and art photos. With over three hundred shots to choose from, I hope to some day do a series on the subject but what really interests me are the carnies. I have begun to recognize the same workers each year and I find it intriguing to see them in their lit environments often alone and waiting. They are really in the "spot light" but with no audience; on display, but no act to perform. When they noticed me "shooting" them they were baffled that I would want a picture of them. This year I talked to many of them and told them I may paint a painting of them some day and this news was received with a small bit of interest, but mostly they took it as if they had made a friend, smiling at me each time I made it back around the midway to their area again.

My interest in these carnies prompted me to research their jargon on Wickipedia. "Green Help" or "Greenies" is a term for temporary help hired at a location. The young woman in this booth or "joint" looked to be a rather normal person that I guessed did not travel with the carnies.

Cut Pomegranate

2009-10-19T00:40:00.006-04:00

"Cut Pomegranate, Three Arils and Crown"

Click on images to enlarge.

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

The loose approach to this subject is a departure from my last two pieces. Wow was this a challenge! I wiped and painted the background several times until the color worked, and those arils ( juicy sacs containing the seeds) were painted until too much paint on the board, scraped and painted some more. My favorite part is the foreground containing the three arils which I painted first and in about ten minutes. That's the way it goes sometimes. For now I'm really really done with pomegranates!

Pomegranate Makeover-Sold

2009-10-17T00:24:00.006-04:00

"Pomegranate and Blue Tin" (revised)

5" x 7" Oil on board.

A new hair style, augmentation, and a facial and the once ugly pomegranate is change into a beautiful, delectable star of the show. (can you tell I was watching the STYLE channel while revising this painting?)

Being focused on the tin box in my first version, I failed to see how unattractive this pomegranate was. I warmed the color, changed the shape and opened the crown to give a much better appearance, working over the first fruit image. The left edge of the tin was straightened a bit as well. So much better!! Now I can move on.

sold

Pomegranate and Blue Tin

2009-10-11T22:59:00.004-04:00

"Pomegranate and Blue Tin"

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

Click on images to enlarge.

This painting is really a tribute to the artist Jullian Merrow-Smith.
When I first began discovering other contemporary artists on the internet, he was one of the first that I fell in love with. I am still greatly influenced by his work. In fact, in a few of his earlier still lifes he painted an aged blue tin that I adored. I spent a year looking for a similar one in thrift and antique stores. About five months ago I bought a brand new tin that was the unpainted natural tin. I banged and dented it and then painted with spray paint the exact color that I desired. Scraping and chipping the paint a bit prepared it for a stay outdoors in the flowerbed to hopefully rust in those raw spots. After outside for several weeks I was disappointed in the amount of rust, so I soaked it in water for three days. I am now the proud owner of a Julian Merrow-Smith blue tin knock off. Oh yeah, I painted a pomegranate too.

Red and Green Tomatoes - SOLD

2009-10-10T18:47:00.011-04:00

"Red and Green Tomatoes"

5"x 7" Oil on board.

Up close details. Click on images to enlarge.

I've certainly been gone a while. Two weekends away, one catching up, many week day distractions, and just plain old procrastination have kept me out of the studio. My discipline needs a real jump start! I have been taking many photos for potential paintings and have acquired several new props for still lifes that have me excited about getting back in the swing.

One of my art friends was given this mammoth tomato at the end of the harvest and she passed it on to me, knowing that I'd love to paint it. What a beautiful specimen, especially with the small green tomato hanging on. I felt like this tomato cried to be painted more realistically than I'm now painting and returned to a tighter approach. It was so ripe that it was intensely red as shown. I was thrilled that the shrivelled leaf and small tomato were still intact. Thanks, Bonnie!

Raspberry Jelly 2 - SOLD

2009-09-14T00:45:00.013-04:00

"Raspberry Jelly 2"

8"x 6" Oil on gessoed board.

sold

My goal on this painting was to use contemporary fresh color and to render the subject realistically while using interesting brushwork and keeping it loose. I hope you enjoy the WIP shots. Thanks for visiting.

Three Cupcakes

2009-09-01T00:40:00.006-04:00

"Three Cupcakes"

6"x 9" Oil on stretched canvas.

This latest DSFDF challenge was a blast. I wanted to get started as soon as I saw the photo and it proved to be just as fun to paint as anticipated. Not taking the painting too seriously, I just really wanted to make it whimsical in it's color and handling. Currently on a "cleansing" diet that allows no sugar or wheat, I really enjoyed painting from a photo on this one rather than the real thing!

Sunflowers and Delft Cup- SOLD

2009-08-26T16:33:00.015-04:00

"Morning Cup"

8"x 8" oil on gessoed board

first painting

Details of finished painting.

I’ve mentioned before the difficultly that I have in painting flowers. While at a friend’s I saw her lovely flowers in the yard and asked to cut some––they so inspired me to try my hand at flowers again. I gathered all the similar flower paintings in my "favorites" file on my computer and studied them planning my approach. I wanted to see the sunflowers as mere shapes. You will note a problem in the first painting. Before completing the flowers I realized the cup was too tightly rendered relative to the rest of the piece. Also the background mud was about as appealing as baby poop and not showing off the yellow flowers. After working over a 2-3 day period, I set it aside to dry not knowing whether I would finish it and was very unhappy with the direction it was heading. Last night I started painting over the flowers and darkening the background changing it to a purple gray. With the flowers I worked back and forth with negative and positive spaces and tried to use bolder strokes. Proceeding to the cup and foreground, I softened and smeared edges to loosen it a bit. The greatest change is in the cup. All in all it was a great learning exercise. Next I will again try roses. I just must quit avoiding flowers!

Peaches, Butter and Vanilla - SOLD

2009-08-16T23:27:00.008-04:00

"Peach Cobbler?"
sold

6"x 8" Oil on gessoed board.

No, I did not make cobbler. I barely cut the peaches and ate them before they were too ripe, but it sure made me want cobbler. Hmmmm, cobbler or painting? I chose painting and am glad I did. I have painted many peaches before but I'm finally getting the peach fuzz thing right. I think this is my favorite so far. The vintage canister was a recent thrift store find and I centered the still life around it. It's very strange what things can inspire an artist.

The goal here was to focus on the left hand peach. I didn't want to mute the bright reds on the canister, but I knew that intense color could draw the eye away from the focal point. Composition was the device to direct the eye to the focal point. The right side of the vanilla bottle, the lines of the stick of butter and the blue stripe in the cloth all point to the peach and of course that spot where the stem used to be is the bull's eye. Then one's eye begins to wander to the canister, down the side to the right hand peach and follows the top edge of the cloth left back to the focal point. Let me know what your eye does. My other goal of the painting was to contrast the many textures.

San Francisco Hills- SOLD

2009-08-09T00:25:00.018-04:00

"Joy Ride"

8"x 6" Oil on Raymar canvas panel.

Note: This is my second try at an accurate photo. I'm not able to get the contrasts correct. The distance is right but the foreground and middle ground are a bit more intense and sharper than appears on the screen.

This was a hard challenge from Karin Jurick's blog, Different Strokes From Different Folks. For me the goal was to simplify the detailed photo and to create a sense of distance and a bright sunny atmosphere. The street scene had electric wires going everywhere! I don't think I simplified much except for those wires. My focus changed into managing my brush strokes, keeping them simplified and painting shapes instead of objects. I have to continue to remind myself to think SHAPES! I'm pleased with the outcome although I still struggle when I paint on canvas at this small size. I think I'm finally getting use to piling on the paint much thicker when painting on canvas as compared to my preferred surface of a gessoed board. Click here to check out the other artist's version of the same scene and to see the photo that was provided.

Sliced Tomato-Sold

2009-08-03T00:36:00.007-04:00

"Big Boy Slice"

5"x 7" Oil on gessoed board.

This is what I did today........glad you stopped by.

Click on images to enlarge.