I always loved this vase, but I had forgotten about it, tucked way in the back of my cabinet. My friends delivered it to me filled with flowers awhile ago when I was recovering from surgery. It was the perfect fit for my double bouquet, I thought. I did have to place it lower on my work table, though, so I had to try and work with the background, which was my horizontal shade. I was worried about doing the shade, but then I thought maybe it would add some interest.... Well, here it is, and I like it ! ha
These are the second batch of tulips I purchased at, of all places, Walmart. I was at a friends the other day and she had the most gorgeous vase of flowers. She had gotten them at the market at Walmart.... who knew that I'd be giving them good 'press'?.. ha ha
Again, they moved during the night (I got them started after dinner), but this time I made sure I had the petals well established before turning out the light !!
I remember these being one of the first blooms of spring. I have a variety of them that come up some time, maybe around May... How do they get these into the stores in January? Maybe they grow them and force the plants in greenhouses.... I do not know, but I loved painting them !
I'm just getting finished with my painting for the challenge today.... whew... just made it !
These flowers have a very unusual arrangement of petals... they look awkward, but that's the way they grow.... I googled iris to see what variety they are and found there are hundreds of different ones ! I was really only familiar with the hybrid ones I've grown and the Siberian and Japanese ones.... who knew?
I really do enjoy painting sunflowers. They are now all gone from my favorite haunts, like Dierberg's floral shop, and Whole Foods, so I guess I will have to wait now til next summer or fall. This grouping I painted as my demo at a local gallery. I set up my still life and lots of my friends and family came to watch. They had wine and cheese at the gallery. They have an "Open House" once a month.... Fun !
I'm chillin' out listening to my classic Billy Joel this morning, and finishing a painting..... so enjoyable being retired ! I hope all of you 'worker bees' get to experience this.... it's fun !
I'll admit it.... Garage sales, and yard sales get my heart thumpin'... Just can't help it, I'm addicted. I used to have antique mall booths with my sister, and that gave me a perfect excuse to shop. Now I've given that up, because it took soooo very much time, but I still have to get out there every Sat. morning, in case there is some treasure that might get by me ! ha
I found this darling little tiny triangular vase, along with a couple of other little guys that had some unusual shapes, and I was so anxious to try painting them. Here's the first one.... It doesn't take much to make me happy, I guess. ha ha
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. I didn't paint a pumpkin this year (yet, anyway), and didn't carve one either.... too busy painting sunflowers, I guess.
Here's a different version of my sunflower... love the vase. So fun to paint...
These have turned into a series, without me even trying. HA !
I had the setup, so I decided to do another version, with the square format. I really do enjoy these flowers... (can you tell? ha ha)
I thought I'd try a darker background today. Hopefully I got enough contrast of values... Here's the progress during the process.
I DID forgo the polka-dots for the sake of simplicity... ha !
Had to purchase these, mine are toasted, even though I've been watering them... This heat has done a number on the lawn and gardens !
I knew I had to call this one, 'Pinched' because that is what the Brits call it when you help yourself to something that isn't actually yours ! I found these pink and red blossoms on some bushes growing on the back lot of a car fix-it place close to my house. Just so happened, (who would have thought it) I had a clipper in my car.... HA HA....
Last time, I tried these from below eye-level, so thought I'd change things up and get them more on eye-level. That way I could include the blue vintage ball jar. ( like the ones I used to sell in the antique booth )
Dorothy's magnificent blossoms are still hanging in there, so I tackled them again.... fun stuff !
