Tree Line on Ebay

"Tree Line"
6 x 8" pastel on rust-colored sanded paper
SOLD

"Tree Line" with a virtual frame

"Harbor Lights" went quickly yesterday with the "buy now" option.  It's on its way to TX and a new home with one of my favorite artists.  Many thanks to her!

So "Tree Line" is going on the auction block today.  I've shown with a virtual frame how it might look as a 9 x 12" or 12 x 16" art piece all framed out with double mat, and frame.  You can frame it however you like or I can assist you in the framing.

Pastel on Ebay

"Harbor Lights"
6 x 6" pastel on sanded paper
SOLD

"Harbor Lights" in a Virtual Frame

Time to move the pastels from the inventory, so they are going on Ebay.  "Harbor Lights" is the first.

It is shipped unframed, but I can arrange for framing if you let me know.  It needs to be matted with glass and framed.  Would make a lovely 12 x 12" finished piece.

Adding Color

Work in Progress
8 x 10" oil on panel

5 x 5" oil on panel

I've had a big jump in the last couple of weeks in employing and even understanding color.  I have been reading and studying the work of some wonderful colorists. While I have always loved pure color, I have always wanted to add more color to my work.  

I show these two works as an example of my change in thinking (and I have a long way to go to be successful with using more color in my work.)

The first is a work in progress and I started off with some pretty intense color, you might even be able to see some of the bright blue still showing on the upper right corner which hasn't been finished yet. I've just been adding color adjusting temperatures and values.  Most of it is painted with a palette knife.

The bottom photo is a small abstracted landscape I did around the holidays.  I think I used four colors, blue, white, naples yellow and green.  I did sell it so I'm sure it was appealing to some, but I'm trying to stretch myself.  

Somewhere in between the two will be where I end up, I imagine.

The Big Apple

"The Big Apple"
6 x 6 oil on canvas panel
SOLD

You were thinking NYC?  No, just a big apple.  This is another in my "Scratching the Surface" series.  It didn't start out to be a scratcher, but as I was nearing the end I knew I wouldn't be happy with it until it had those soft edges and texture.

I use an embossing stylus to scratch into the wet paint.

Pinks

"Pinks"
6 x 6" oil on canvas panel
painted with a palette knife
SOLD

Back at the roses again, but this time with the palette knife. It's a sure-fire way to keep them loose.

Blue Pitcher Finished

"Blue Pitcher"
8 x 8" oil on panel
SOLD

I went to bed last night thinking yesterday's start to this painting was very stiff....not much happening with the quality of the paint application.

I woke up thinking I wonder what would happen if I painted the last layers with a palette knife.  Well, I found out.  I actually like it much better and the next one I'll use the palette knife from the beginning...maybe. It's a bit like trying to frost a hot cake.

Work in Progress - Blue Pitcher

Work in Progress
"Blue Pitcher"
8 x 8" oil on panel

I've recently been reading about the work of Camille Przewodek and her approach to painting that she learned from colorist, Henry Hensche.  It was from this reading I discovered the idea of painting still life outdoors.  I had heard of it before, but many years ago and it was not in the forefront of my mind.

Today was my first serious effort to paint outside on the deck, or at least start out there.  My deck off the bedroom faces east and I lose the sun about 1pm, so then I came inside (it was windy) and worked on the painting for most of the afternoon.  It was so fun and I got so lost in the layering of paint and colors. 

I have more I'd like to do to this painting tomorrow, but I'm pleased with my initial efforts. This is sooooo different for me - in composition, size, paint application (once you get a couple layers of paint on you have to lay the paint on with your brush flat to the canvas) and definitely in the quality of light.

Outdoor Still Life - Well Sorta

"Lemon in Morning"
5 x 5" oil on panel
Click here to purchase painting

When the weather gets nicer I want to paint still life setups outside on my deck which faces the east and gets morning light.  I'd like to capture more color and reflected light than what I usually get with an indoor setup. Just need to mix it up a bit.

It's still cold and windy here in northwest Denver so this lemon was outside on a piece of pink construction paper (shhh - don't tell my granddaughter I used a piece of her sacred construction paper).  I sat inside at my table by the window and painted through the glass.  Hey, worked for me.  I'll be all ready when the warm weather comes.

Blue Bowl and Brown Eggs

"Blue Bowl and Brown Eggs"
6 x 6 oil on panel
Click here to purchase painting

This was a little different for me today.  I took more of an impressionistic view of the light and color.  I laid out my masses and then refined the shapes in terms of drawing and color (hue and temperature.) Don't let anyone fool you, eggs are a pill to paint.

Green Jar

"Green Jar"
6 x 6" oil on panel
Click here to purchase painting

I love this little green jar and I've painted it before.  Just had fun today pushing and pulling the paint around. Isn't fun what it's all about...in the end?

Pears on Green

"Pears on Green"
6 x 6" oil on panel
Click here to purchase painting

I've come back from the edge of impressionism from the last two days to something more traditional.  

I tried to paint a rose this morning and what was a disastrous beginning and middle ended up being a nice under-painting of a rose for another day.  So I needed to "get back on the horse" so to speak and paint another subject - the much more user-friendly subject of pears.  One can lose confidence very quickly in this business.  

I did like how the color palette turned out in this one, a little muted and harmonious. I believe I will be able to paint another day without worrying that somehow I've lost what little I had.

Impressions of a Pear

"Impressions of a Pear"
6 x 6" oil on canvas
Click here to purchase painting

Ode to a Pear

"Ode to a Pear"
6 x 6" oil on canvas panel
SOLD

Just needed to have a little fun today, so I pulled out an older painting and gave it a makeover.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  I used lots of color and added texture by scraping into the wet paint with my embossing stylus.  Haven't worked on any of my "scratching the surface" series for a long time.

Goal fun - mission accomplished!

Redux of a Rose

"Hey Bud! Version 2"
4 x 4" oil on Gessobord
SOLD

I painted this rose last week and I knew at the time I would revisit it.  I was so timid with the paint there was barely any paint on the panel.  I was so concerned about color and shape that I forgot about the quality of the paint.

So today I painted over it and the chant was "make juicy paint" as it has been for my two previous paintings. Now I'm much happier with it and the buyer obviously was as well. Sold to my high school girlfriend about 5 minutes after I posted it.

She is a wonderful gardener and is also the owner of "Blush."  I'm so fortunate to have so many family members and friends that support my art.

Juicy Berries

"Juicy Berries"
6 x 6" oil on panel
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Another day with the goal of juicy paint, and for today colorful reds.  Lots of fun pushing the paint.

Through Thick and Thin

"Apple Slice and Blueberries"
4 x 4" oil on Gessobord
SOLD

As I was working on the roses Monday, I realized I was so focused on the shapes and color I forgot to be generous with the paint and create thick and thin paint application areas.  So today I decided to just play with that concept.

According to the Bright Light Fine Art folks, especially Sherrie McGraw, chiaroscuro painting is all about the contrast between light and dark, thick and thin paint, bright and neutrals, open passages and passages where there is a lot going on.

Most of all she and David A Leffel talk about having fun.  I think as artists we forget to enjoy the painting process.  I'm learning to just love pushing the paint around without worrying about an exact replica.

Roses in Progress

Day 2 of Three Roses and a Grape
12 x 12" oil on Gessobord

Painted the roses, leaves and the vase today.  I will be working on it again for another couple of sessions to brighten some things, finish the tabletop and generally just "finish".

A Giant Among Us....

Working Title
"Three Roses and a Grape"
12 x 12" oil on Gessobord

After the frenzy of trying to finish a painting a day, I'm going to slow down and work on some larger pieces. This is from the same photo shoot as the small painting "Rose and Leaf".  The roses were so pretty that day and they are now starting to look a little brown around the edges, but they sure were fun to have in the house.  Might just have to buy another half dozen tomorrow...they'll be ready to paint by Wednesday or Thursday.

This is a HUGE painting for me...12 x 12".  I've had inquiries as to whether I'd paint a 30 x 30" and I'm not opposed - it's just going to take me awhile to get there.

Do the Hokey Pokey

"You Put Your Left Foot In"
4 x 4" oil on Gessobord
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Only enough time for a cherry painting today, but I love how this stem looks a little like a leg and foot.  You do see that, right?  LOL....