More "Brother Bruce" Paintings

If you've been following my blog, you probably know that I am auctioning off my 4 x 4" daily oil paintings.  The proceeds from these paintings will be donated to a benefit for my brother, Bruce, who is fighting Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  The benefit is March 25th.

These are the next three up for purchase on E-Bay.  I've been posting about them on FBook and Twitter and they've come to be known as "Brother Bruce" paintings.

"Lime and Cranberries" 4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

"Brighter Days" 4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

"Me and My Shadow" 4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Tea Roses and Pitcher



"Tea Roses and Pitcher" 9 x 9 pastel on paper
Click Here to Bid on Painting

Where I started again after over a year of sitting on the shelf

While there were some things about the "old painting that I liked....there were lots of things that I couldn't make happen.  And since I have been experimenting more with mark-making I decided to give this a go with lots of marks.

As one might guess I had lots of problems with the tea roses...painting each petal realistically is not my idea of fun, so I worked to make them more impressionistic like the rest of the piece.  Here is where a studio mate comes in very handy.  I kept trying to be done...but June turned up her nose in that way that only Junie B can...and I knew it was not done.  She finally went home and I finished up those items she pointed out and declared myself done.  Not perfect by any means but it feels good to have it come to a resolution.

I've had an enquiry to purchase....

Next Two Items Up For Bid - My Brother's Benefit

Continued on from yesterday...the next two 4 x 4 paintings are "Lemon Alone" and "Pear in the Shadow".  The bidding starts at $5 or you can Buy Now for $20 ($3 Shipping).  100% of the proceeds will go to my brother's benefit being held March 25th at St John Vianney's Catholic Church in Omaha, NE.

He's fighting hard against Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma....I'd like to help him out where I can.  Thanks!

"Lemon Alone" 4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

"Pear in the Shadow" 4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
CLICK HERE TO BID

Benefit for My Brother

Dear Friends, Some of you may know my brother, Bruce, is undergoing chemo. He was diagnosed January 5, 2012 with Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma.  He lives back in my hometown of Omaha, NE, is married and has two teen-age sons.  The chemo has been brutal on his body and he has been hospitalized twice.  He has been unable to work but a few days (he's a carpenter) since before he was diagnosed.

His church family and friends are planning a benefit for him on March 25th.  Between now and then I will be auctioning my existing 4 x 4 paintings, a few at a time, to donate to the benefit.  You can bid on these items in my Ebay shop.

They are shipped with a little wooden easel for display.  If you've been thinking about buying a painting this is an opportunity to get a great deal.  Bidding is starting at $5 and you can purchase them outright for $20.

In the Pink
4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

In Honor Of
4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

Orange in the Spotlight
4 x 4 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

You Say Tomato, I Say....

"You Say Tomato, I Say...." 6 x 6 Pastel on Paper
Click Here to Bid

Finished up today with more layers of color, tightening up some edges, tidying up the strokes, and adjusting edges.  Such fun I had with this one.

Also picked up an old painting that has been an "orphan" for 2 years and started to rework it.  I'll post the before and after once I finish it.  I think I may have learned a thing or two in two years time.

Work in Progress

Work in Progress...6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Sanded Paper

This was about an hour's worth of making shapes and layering first colors today with lots of marks.  That's all the time I had to paint after sleeping late, smelling gas in the studio, and leaving early for a meeting with artist friends.  Hopefully, will finish tomorrow. 

Doctored Pepper

"Doctored Pepper" 6 x 6 pastel on paper
Click Here to Bid on Painting

Having great fun with my pastels for the last week or so.....this pepper reference is an oldie that I painted in oil last year but it has such great color.  For me it's all about the marks and the color.

I love that little stem, he just peeks around from the far side to see what all the fuss is about.

Blue Teapot Finished

"Blue Teapot" 8 x 10 Pastel on board
Click Here to Bid on Painting

Finished up in the studio today.  Love making marks!!

Starting Out with Blue Teapot

The beginning of Blue Teapot, 8 x 10, pastel on pastelbord

Quick sketch, constructing light and shadow shapes, and laying in blocks of color.  I love scribbling and this painting will have many mores strokes which will blend the shapes together. 

Cuties and Cranberries

"Cuties and Cranberries" 5 x 8" Pastel on Paper
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Today was all about mark-making, and loosening up.  Cuties and Cranberries was painted from life in the studio.  I started with dark lines and abstract shapes...and just kept layering the color.  It was a great exercise and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Teacup and Lemon Wedges

"Teacup and Lemon Wedges" 6 x 8 pastel on paper
Click Here to Purchase Painting

I love, love, love vintage items.  So this vintage teacup was just calling out to me to be painted.  I cut up a lemon from our studio refridgerator and started this on Monday.  Worked on it yesterday, and finished up today.  This is painted from life...painting this way gives you so much insight into the colors and form in your objects. 

I also love soft edges which I employ in almost every oil or pastel that I paint. 

Wouldn't this be the perfect Mother's Day gift?  I can frame it for you if desired.

CP Treasures by Ann Kullberg

CP Treasures Book
My "Vintage Teapot" is on page 61.

How exciting!  My artwork "Vintage Teapot" was chosen for Ann Kullberg's new book, CP Treasures.  The artists chosen from around the world are fabulously talented, and I'm honored to be in this group for my first inclusion in a book.  Click on the link under the picture and you can preview the book.