Newborn

Two of my granddaughters have had babies this past October and November so this is what I think about lately.  I worry over being too sentimental but throwing her head into shadow helps I think. 

"Scissors & Flowers," study

This painting is just a study....messing around with mixed media over a watercolor that had value problems.  Just one half step darker than you should on a white object in shadow and you loose the form.  It's not a white vase anymore.  The same with light colored flowers.  Since I hate to use puddle colors in watercolor...(and you have to in the lighter values) I usually get things too dark.  I'm speaking of direct alla prima watercolor (no layers) Also my watercolors suffer because I don't do them often in preference to oil.  I still love watercolor though and plan to do more and use this blog as a sounding board.  Any comments are totally welcome. 

Rose Abstract

I'm keeping with the limited palette of 4 colors and white here but the painting took a turn into the abstract.  I let go there but don't know how I feel about it just yet.

Window Ledge Bouquet

I was experimenting with a limited palette here. (4 colors & white) The colors were Viridian, cad yellow pale, cad red deep and permanent rose.....no blue.  It's quite interesting and lots of premixing was necessary because let's face it, I was not used to it.  Normally, I have my entire array of colors to pick from.  I was finding that pet mixtures were dominating my work and I wanted to break out thus this palette.  I got it from an older Charles Sovek book.  He was one of my teachers. 

This little painting (7 x 5) is at auction on DailyPaintWorks. Opening bid $50 or buy it now $75 and free shipping    here

Picking Apples

This is from a photo reference.  I photographed my good friend and fellow painter Peg Anderson many years ago in a white gown (my idea totally) Looking at the series of shots I became very interested in the stark contrast of the dark apple tree in shadow and the background bright  sunlit area and particularly what happens to white in this setting.  It's a small painting (8 x 6) finished in one intense setting and it's still very wet. sold

November in the Park

Fellow painter, Cietha, and I braved the cold morning and painted in the community park.  We walked around for about 30 minutes and then just set up and painted.  Awkward as heck, big coat, gloves etc but we managed.  This was no way near the cold of painters of snow like Aldro Hibbard and the like endured for their paintings but the stress was there.  I think it helped to be a little uncomfortable and hopefully the urgency shows.  Sure couldn't get fussy.  8 x 8 inches oil on lead prime linen panel and is offered (auction) at DailyPaintWorks. here

Bedroom Abstract

8 x 8 oil on lead prime canvas.  I was attracted to the abstract quality of all the bedroom clutter before making the bed.  The light filtering through the curtain tied it all together in a silvery glow.  This is at auction on DailyPaintWorks  opening bid $90

My Beach

This is my favorite spot along the river which I'm fortunate to live very close to.  The colors are magnificent this time of year.  This painting is available through DailyPaintWorks.  For further info or to bid click here

Roses on Table

6 x 8 inches

I liked the way the roses and crumpled tablecloth made a pleasing design just as they lay. sold

Olive Oil & Green Apple

8 x 6 inches oil on canvas panel lead prime.  After trying several different objects and lighting scenarios I settled for the studio overhead florescent lighting and this arrangement.  The colors really intrigued me....two greens and purple....not what I would ordinarily choose but with all the creamy whites the strident colors stayed in their place and didn't upset me.  This little painting is available through DailyPaintWorks auction.  For more information or to bid 

go here

Somewhere in Alaska

I visited a good friend in Alaska and took many photos.  This was typical of many of the small villages we visited.  This small (6 x 6 ) painting is oil on canvas panel lead prime and is available through DailyPaint Works auction. Opening bid $60  Go here

Pink Camillias

This small (6 x 6 inches) painting is available at Piante gallery. sold

Trainee

This small (8 x 6) affordable painting is available through DailyPaintWorks auction. Go here

Opening bid $75

A Little Peek

8 x 6 inches oil on lead primed canvas panel.  For more information or to bid go to DailyPaintWorks

here    sold

Little Tap Dancers

This small painting is available through Daily Paint Works auction.  For more information or to bid 

click here.  sold

"One Pink Rose"

This small painting (6 x 6) is at auction Daily Paint Works.  Opening bid $60.  For more information or to bid click here  sold

Matilija Poppy

The Matalija Poppy commonly called the fried egg plant for obvious reasons is one of my favorite flowers.  The blooms are sometimes huge and last several days.  6 x 8 inches on lead primed canvas panel.  For more information or if you'd like to bid go to Daily Paint Works here sold

Window Ledge

6 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches watercolor with touches of pastel.  For more information or to bid 

click here  opening bid $60 will be sent with rag mat and foam core

Hydrangea

My hydrangea is really quite beautiful this year with blossoms towering over my head.  Most blossoms are blue yet some are pink and purple. Click here for more information or to bid on Daily Paint Works. Opening bid $70 sold

Roses in Sink

6 x 8 oil on panel (lead prime) This is offered on Daily PaintWorks auction. For more information or to bid click here sold

Daisies & Apple

Dealing with many different whites was my biggest challenge with this little painting.  5 x 7 oil on canvas panel.  For more information or to bid click heresold

"Flowered Shawl with Roses"

I play endlessly with vases, flowers, and other props and more importantly the lighting.  This was painted under studio lights (color corrected florescent) and minor light from a window to the right.  It's small (6 x 6) and is offered on DPW auction.  To learn more or to bid press here. 

Pink Roses in Clear Vase

Just finished this painting and it's still wet.  Needless to say roses are everywhere and they bring me so much joy.  This is a very small painting 7 x 5 inches and is offered on Daily Paint Works.  For more information  or to bid click here.sold

Poppies & Dragon Vase

I painted this under natural lighting coming in through the window.  I set it up in my shadow box minus the covering.....black foamcore backing.  I've always loved this vase and have oodles of poppies which have naturalized in my garden. These flowers only last a short time cut but since this is only 7 x 5 inches I was able to finish in one setting.  For more information or to bid click here.sold

Two Kitties

The light upon the kitties sitting on the living room rug created an abstract design I couldn't resist.  The camera was handy.  Most of the rug pattern was painted by looking at it and comparing light struck areas with those in shadow.  Photographs in high contrast rarely have enough information in the shadows.  To learn more or to bid at DPW auction sold

Red Velvet

I borrowed some red velvet from a friend and used it for my backdrop.  I like the richness but the whole painting was stressful because I'd never painted velvet and red has always been a scary color to me.  To learn more or bid click here.

Bonnie at Rest

I usually paint with watercolor from the nude model in a setting with other artists and limited time.  This pose was 20 minutes.  Results vary but sometime you get a special freshness because of the limited time and quick decisions.  I will send the painting matted and ready to frame or store safely in an acrylic sleeve. For more information or to bid in Daily Paint Works

sold

Family Portrait

Familiar objects from my studio that I use frequently.  When my son saw the painting he said,

"Oh, I see they're separated and mom has custody."  6 1/2 x 5 7/8 inches oil on canvas paper. 

It will come with an antique rag mat, foam core backing and acrylic sleeve ready to frame or safely store. For more information or to bid on DailyPaintWorks press here

Calcium Chews

I set up all these purple objects to see if I could get a painting.  The day was overcast so cool light from the window and I added florescent because I knew the light would go quickly on these winter days.  Its done alla prima wet into wet paint.  To  learn more or bid in DailyPaintWorks 

click here $80 auction