Succulent Painting # 12

     I love the abstract quality of these plants.  I love to see the assymmetrical-type of radial balance they exhibit.  Something great about the grey-green color for me, too.  The touch of red -the bowl- bring out the greens, polka-dots for pizzazz...

Red Shoes, again Painting #11

 

     I really get a kick out of painting these little shoes... (no pun intended)  Anyhoo, here they are on one of my granddaughter's favorite games, Pete Rabbit.... This is the first board game she's really ever played.

Ranunculus. Painting #10

 

 These have been my favorite flower since I fell in love with them at a 'Home Show" many years ago.  It's the first time I remember seeing them, and I just thought they were beautiful.   Apparently they don't grow in my part of the country, because I try, in vain to get them to grow EVERY year !  (You'd think I finally learn, and just buy the cut flowers for my table ! Ha !)

Fickle tulips Painting # 9

     As I painted this morning, the still-life kept changing, as the tulips opened, and opened, due to the light I had on them, which warmed them up.   I still like the results, though.  So many of the things I think about and do when I paint I owe to Carol Marine, whose inspiration and knowledge are such a part of me now. Especially valuable are the hints and helps on how to apply the paint ! Visit her here to get 'inspired'. 

 Have a great, relaxing break from painting for awhile, Carol, and hope to see you back soon.

Single Gerbera - Painting #8

This is my favorite color, plus another couple I'm VERY fond of, but I love to wear this one!  I've always had several blouses and sweaters this color.   Love the daisies, too.

Gerbera Daisies #7

Do any of you remember these when we were kids?  I don't...  Maybe they were hybridized or something, but anyway, I love them...

I DO have the traditional daisies in my garden, and love those too !

Labadie Mo. #6

     We (my sis and I) visited a little town called Labadie Mo. a couple of weeks ago to do some lunch and look for antiques.  We stopped to get a few images of this awesome feed store.  I've always wanted to paint some of these abstract shapes and forms.   I love the light and shadows they create.

Painting #5

     Close-up of these amazingly colored pansies... In all my gardening years, I've never planted pansies.  This year will be my first.

Painting #4

     Here's another cute pair that Baby Gap sells.  The polka dots break up the background a bit.

Painting #3

     Here's a different perspective on these little guys.  They are such fun to paint, and remind me of my darling grandbabies. 

Pansies.... the sign of an early Spring

    We all know that it's too early for the nurseries to be stocking up on pansies in mid-March, but nevertheless there they are.  I found this one to be such a beautiful shade, somewhere between orange and fuchsia.

Daily Painting Again

Getting back into the Daily Painting BIZ.....Hopefully my newer style will show through. 

    Now, you know we can't go through life without distractions, but I'm going to stay focused, and not let them take over... ha ha !  That's what happens when you love to do EVERYTHING.... but I want to paint SOOO badly.... so, here goes.....

Painting purchases

  For those of you who purchased paintings recently, I will mail them out on the 12th of March... Thanks for your understanding.... -Sandy

Fayetteville, Arkansas- 2012

  
  We had such a fun weekend visiting our daughter, who is getting her master's in teaching in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  While we were there we had some fabulous food, including a wonderful coffee shop called Birdhouse Kafe, and Hjem, a great Swedish restaurant on the town square.  We visited the brand new Art Museum, called Crystal Bridges.  It was built for, and given to, the people of Northwest Arkansas by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice.  She has collected fine art from American artists all of her life.   This is an incredible creation, nestled in the wooded landscape at Bentonville, the site of the first famous Walton's Five and Dime store, the beginning of the Wal-Mart empire.   It is free to visit, the collection is amazing in it's size and variation.  Located throughout the museum are 'rest' areas filled with couches, chairs, and art books !!!  There are extensive landscaped grounds to add to the pleasureable experience.  Fantastic !- and ALL American artists, to boot !

Twirly Skirts

     Just finished... Twirly Skirts, using fabrics I picked up last week.  My sis made two also, with ruffles instead of gathered sections.  Each one turned out a little differently.  Fun to experiment. I think they are all so cute. (These are my first ones, but my sis's 30th or so...)
     Can't wait to get some cute t-shirts to go with them. !   AW, being a Grammie is so fun !

     Check out my sister's skirts on her blog... here

As Promised...My sweeties...

 

Promised to post a picture with the finished dresses.  They both wore them to their parties at preschool... Their mom claims that the dresses were the talk of the party... ha ha  !
     Here they are in their familyroom....
    

Finished.... finally

     Latest quilt for newest baby.  My friend, who I have taught art with for the past 20 some years, is expecting her FIRST GRANDCHILD.... that is a BIG occasion !   Grandchildren are MORE FUN THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE !

    LUCKY YOU, Pat !
    

     Here's a handmade quilt especially for your little bundle.  These are great for letting them lay on, if they are on the floor, and also, a place to learn to crawl !!!

Finished ? maybe....

     Still on the easel, but I've pretty much pronounced this one 'done'.   It's cool to shrink it down on the computer screen and see the whole painting in a different perspective.  It really helps, like Carol Marine mentioned to all of us in her August workshop last year in Fish Creek.... thanks for all the good suggestions, Carol !

Check out her wonderful work here.

In Progress

     After going to one of the High Schools in the area, this morning, to observe my student teacher, I decided I would start a larger canvas... (18 x 24)  today.    I have wanted to try some room interiors for awhile now, and even started a different one in acrylic at my sister's house on Wednesday.  
     I decided to post an image of it on the easel.  It's got a way to go still, but I'm pleased so far.   I'm certainly open to any and all suggestions anyone might have !!!!  Really, I am !!! 

     I think it will perk up a bit when I get a few more contrasting values added !

After adding it to the post, I realize how it desperately needs some added contrast (of values, especially)

Creative Wednesdays with my sis.....

Yesterday my sis and I got together for our weekly Creatathon.....  She worked on a ruffled skirt for her grandbaby, and I started a large canvas in acrylics.   I worked most of the day and pretty much just got the underpainting finished.  Boy, it's different working big.  I'm not used to my paintings taking that long.... ha  !
     I had found some cute fabrics to work with, and brought them home to start some skirts for my little ones......  Ruffles are a girls best friend, right?
     WELL, I didn't get a picture to post yet, so stay tuned for MORE TO COME.....

Meanwhile, here's a 'blast from the past'--- just couldn't resist !