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?