The Sunshine State

"The Sunshine State"
5 x 5 oil on Gessobord
SOLD
 

After my last couple of days with more traditional pieces, I wanted something loose, fun and colorful today.  I think I got it.

The colors remind me of a summer swimming day at the pool. I was thinking of calling this "Basking Bosc", but I think it's a Barlett pear.  So I settled for the current title.

JunieB had this wonderful turquoise pigment in her paintbox and I just had to try it out.

Portrait of Two Peaches

"Portrait of Two Peaches"
5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

 

 

 

 

Here's how the painting might look framed
using visual frames feature on
frameworksonline.com

I've been painting for two years and just figured out how to use the sable brushes.  I've pretty much always used the bristle brushes for the whole painting.  The last couple of paintings I've discovered I can do my block in with bristle and final layers with sable.  The sable brush is wonderful for softening those edges and creating shapes.

Pepper and Jug

"Pepper and Jug"
6 x 6 oil on Gessobord
SOLD

I was finishing this one up as it got dark, yesterday.  I had such a fun time painting, didn't want to stop.

The light and shadow approach to painting feels like an old friend.  I've sort of let it slide a little bit for some more contemporary work.  But watching Quang Ho's DVD has reinforced those principles that had become sort of "foggy".

I'll keep painting, because I must.... ;-)

Red, Red and Yellow

"Red, Red and Yellow"
6 x 6 oil on Gessobord
Click Here to Bid on Painting

Doing some study work of other artists, one being Quang Ho, fabulous Denver artist.  I bought his DVD on painting still life and today's fare was trying to use some of the principles he was talking about.

I think I got my edges a little too soft, but I'm happy with the dark and light structures.

For Pi

"For Pi"
5 x 5 oil on Gessobord
SOLD

I was listening to a blog talk radio program for AMO (Artist Mentors Online) last night and Quang Ho, spectacular Denver artist was being interviewed.  Click here to find the interview on iTunes.

He talks about the three levels of seeing, and I was inspired to look past the cherries to what the feeling/energy was of the cherries.  Of course it included some scratching.

No Mo Jo

"No Mo Jo"
5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord
Click Here to Purchase Painting

I was trying to capture the light and color of this vintage diner cup. So this one wasn't about composition or even subject matter. But it's still too tight...will have to try painting it again in a few months. That will give me time to cogitate on it some more.

Not a Skyscape!

I was thinking I was going to do some skyscapes as I mentioned in my last post, however...they just didn't interest me for the last couple of days.  I decided to paint what I want...it makes it so much easier that way.

Today I painted at home and listened to the jazz station which is always interesting to see what gets painted to free jazz. (Not a lot of normal sounds as one would think about it.)  It sure was fun...

This was painted on top of a black-toned canvas panel, so when I scratched through the paint the scratches show up black.  A different look than the white scratches.

"Fried or Poached?" (Eggy)
5 x 7 Oil on Canvas Panel
SOLD


 

 

Had fun after painting time auditioning frames from FrameworksOnline.com.  This one is cool and contemporary but you could also do traditional black.

 

or

 

You could do something like this...

 

Skyscape One

I would very much like to get outside once spring arrives and do some plein air painting.  So for the next few paintings I will be practicing with some skyscapes.  These are from resource photos, but I know when I get outside to paint I will have to capture the shapes and colors quickly. 

 

One color I tried out with this painting is yellow ochre to warm up the darks I had in the clouds.  Loved the yellow ochre pigment. 

"Skyscape One"
5 x 7 Oil on Canvas Panel
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Strawberries and Blue Cup

"Strawberries and Blue Cup"
5 x 7 Oil on Canvas Panel
SOLD

Today's painting that was started last week and ended up just a muddy mess.  I love it when you can bring them back from the proverbial "cliff."

I did torture myself with the ellipse of the cup...that's why I mostly paint food...smile!

Thanks to Leslie Hawes, a wonderful colored pencil artist, who turned me on to the workaround for not being able to upload images in the "Compose" mode.  Use the "HTML" mode to upload your image and then switch back to compose for entering the text.

Having to Post on my Website Blog

I've been trying for several days to post an image of my latest work here on my blog.  But something is wrong with the uploader.

So I've posted to the blog on my website...click HERE to view the post of my new painting "It Takes Two".

Thanks!  Sorry for the additional click...

A Light Bulb Moment

 

"Bright Idea"
5 x 7 oil on canvas panel
From the Scratching the Surface Series
SOLD

"Bright Idea" was painted from a reference photo I took a couple of years ago for a Daily Paintworks challenge that was painting reflections on white.  I never painted it because I couldn't get my head around the stripes. 

Even this morning when I chose this photo to paint, I couldn't get my head around the stripes, and started out in a very clumsy fashion...painting every line!  Sometimes when I get too overwhelmed with the complexity of something, I will play with it in Photoshop and get it down to a very simple block structure.  So..bright idea... I did that this morning and reminded myself I only have to suggest the stripes, not paint them exactly. 

I took a big soft brush and softened the whole painting...then went with just a few suggestions of color.  The canvas was initially toned with the red color anyway...so adding a few blues and grays here and there and I was happy.

I hope this might help some of you to see the resource and the final painting.  I'm not an advanced painter or master by any means, but it helps me to remember the words of an accomplished artist...honestly, I can't remember which one...but you are not painting things you are creating art.

My first light bulb!