Day One Hundred-Sixty Nine

'Experiment Reflected'

6 x 8 oil on panel
50.00 + 6.00 s + h

I tried a black (actually dark Paynes Gray) ground on this one, just to see how it would work. I think it has a very somber feel. I'm not sure how I feel, but I know I will experiment again with different grounds to see what kind of feel they convey...
We have had lots of computer and scanner problems, so the posting is a bit sporatic, and is not done early in the day, the way I had been posting. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day we will get everything solved and be back on track... We lost our power last night in the storm, and our wiring is messed up in this 100 year old house, so tomorrow an electrician is coming to put in a new electrical box. Believe it or not, we still had the original fuse box, and it wasn't even up to code, I don't think.... Anyhoo, we will be updated, and safe, and it feels good !!

Day One Hundred-Sixty Eight

'Sweet little hottie'

6 x 8 oil on panel
50.00 + 6.00 s + h


My scanner is broken, so I took a camera shot of this, and it isn't good at all, I know. You can't use a flash, because of the glare, but it's almost impossible to get enough light on it otherwise.... help ! I need a new scanner TOMORROW, FOR SURE !

"Fall Color'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h
(unframed)

I did this little landscape from a photo. I love the color in it. I set it into one of the new frames I bought... Frames really do make them look finished, I think.

Day One Hundred-Sixty Seven

'Organic Rhythm'

32" x 32" acrylic on stretched canvas
nfs (yet)


I've been gone for the past day and a half, and as a result I didn't post... shame, shame, WELL, I DID paint, however... I painted a 32" x 32" painting in acrylic, using a contemporary abstract feel... I loved the process, and still plan on tweaking it a bit, but wanted to show you how much I finished while painting in my sister's studio !!! fun !

Day One Hundred-Sixty Six

'One Tomata, Two Tomata'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

This title was a take off on the "one potato, two potato, three potato, four..etc. " we used to say as kids, when we wanted to decide between several options or objects. I really like these when I painted them, and did them again on the green cloth. I've been less than inspired to paint this week. Partly because I have to leave the windows open for ventilation, and it's 28 degrees outside, and partly because my husband's been off on a golf trip with his buddies and I've been having a hard time getting motivated somehow. Well, he comes home tomorrow, and Halleujiah, I'll get back with the program !! Y a Y !!


Another Challenge- 5 minute pears

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

Instead of the usual 10 minute challenge, I figured, what the heck, make them a bit smaller ( 2" instead of 3") and do them in 5 minutes. Here is the result. I am pretty pleased and learned than working fast is a great practice for capturing the essence.

Day One Hundred-Sixty Five

'Melon and Strawberries'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

Working on my PICASA folders and finding duplicates all over the place. Wish I knew exactly what happens when I push these computer keys. Heaven help me, I'm flying by the seat of my pants here !
Anyhoo. My scanner (which I use to post my paintings, because the photos I used to take never looked right) just 'bit the dust', so I guess that will be my next purchase. I'm gonna be lost without a way to post my pictures. The 'error' light just won't go OFF ! Help !!

Day One Hundred-Sixy Four

'Honey Duo'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

This is a little plate I've had for ages, and it's shaped like a tomato. I'm not too fond of honeydew melon, but I sure like the color of it, and the way it glistens, and the way it goes with my plate ! ha ha !

Day One Hundred-Sixty Three

'Two of a Kind'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h
SOLD
I had fun with these tomatoes. One was sort of yellowish, and it's companion was much redder, making it fun to paint. They have obviously lost a few family members on their way to the grocery cart, but I left the remains of the stems and liked the way they curled and twisted.

A word or two about the studio. Lately I've been made aware of the hazards of painting with oil paints. I've never been too concerned with the safety issues, but was recently reminded that I need better ventilation in my studio, and so I've researched some things in regards to that. Since the weather has warmed up a bit I've lowered the screens on the triple track windows in the studio and intend to keep the windows open and use the ceiling fan on low also. I was wondering if any of you painters out there have an exhaust fan in your studio, or if you have an air purifier ? Research that I did located one purifier model that removes gases from the air as well as pollen, dust particles, etc., but was pretty pricey. If anyone can give me a little input on this topic I would really appreciate your help. thanks !!

Happy President's Day --- Mr. President

Good luck to our President to help this country with all of it's many problems. Happy Presidents Day

12 x 12 oil on canvas
300.00 + 12.00 s + h

Day One Hundred-Sixty Two

'Terrence'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

I was walking through the mall and saw this adorable little boy. I was doing a portrait series at the time and really wanted to paint his portrait. I asked him if I could take his picture, and his mom said it would be okay, so I snapped a shot of him. I send an email after the portrait was finished to let them know, but never heard a thing back from them. ?? I wish I could have given him the original picture I painted, which was a 12 x 12 oil. I just got the old snapshots out and painted some abstract versions. I like all the color in this one, plus his far-away look and innocence.

Day One Hundred-Sixty One

'Just Grapes'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

I thought grapes would be challenging, since I'd never painted them before. They were, but one thing that helped was the typical hazy whitish covering on them, the distinct, but subtle, highlights, and the reflected light underneath. As an artist and painter, I look for all of these wonderful elements, because it's a great way to describe whatever it is I'm painting. These elements make it easy to describe the forms.... yay !

Day One Hundred-Sixty

'Classical Fruit'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

Somehow this painting ended up with sort of a classical look, and I'm not sure why. I like that the set up is a bit different, and one of my friends said, "it looks like the one grape has something to say, and the others are listening".... guess that's kinda from the fact that we're both teachers... ha

Day One Hundred-Fifty Nine

'Baby Gap Mary Janes'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

I love painting these little shoes. It reminds me of my daughter, and now my sweet little grand daughters. I wish all paintings could pack that wallop!

Day One Hundred-Fifty Eight

'Fruit Salad'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

S O L D

I think I tried to fit too much into this 6 x 6, so it's a bit crowded... If there were a little more space in between everything, the shadows would show up better. Well, this was my first attempt at grapes, and I'm happy with them at least....

Day One Hundred-Fifty Seven

'Bananas'

8 x 8 oil on panel
60.00 + 6.00 s + h

I can't resist painting these luscious forms. They are so sculptural, and so delicious, too. I could paint them from any angle.... so fun !

Day One Hundred-Fifty Six

'Zack'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

Here's Zack, one of my students. His picture for some reason was taken is black and white, so I decided to bring in some extra color. I had fun painting him in the small format. I'm ready to go on to another subject matter, but I'll still keep portraits on my back burner and keep trying to get them to work for me !

Day One Hundred-Fifty Five

'Latoria'

6 x 6 oil on panel
40.00 + 6.00 s + h

I've tried a few portraits in the little 6 x 6 format lately, and tried to be experimental, using unexpected color. I'm not sure I've got it right, but I keep trying anyway. I can't figure a good formula for the placement of warms and cools. Does anyone have a good book on color that they can recommend? I think I need to attend an inspirational workshop to jump start my creativity.
This is Latoria, a student of mine at the high school. I've done several realistic portraits of her.

Day One Hundred-Fifty Four

'Time flies'

6 x 8 oil on panel 50.00 + 6.00 s + h

My sister has started buying old clocks off of ebay to decorate her house. She's got them everywhere.... They really are cute in groupings on her table. She lent me a couple to paint. Time really does fly, you know?

Day One Hundred-Fifty Three

                                      'Student Snapshot'

<6 x 6 oil on panel

40.00 + 6.00 s + h

     I took dozens of photos of my former students in order to complete a series of 12 x 12 oil portraits before I retired from teaching art in 2008.   I dug those reference photos out, and attempted to do some more creative interpretations in my newer style.   This is a young man in my beginning Art Foundations class.  He was nice enough to be one of my subjects, although I didn't include him in the original group of paintings.

Day One Hundred-Fifty Two

                                          'Jack Challenge'

     This was my second attempt at the Daily Paint Works challenge.  I just figured it might just jump start my day again, like yesterday !  I'm afraid I was a bit ambitious with my choice of subject matter.  It took me about 2 or 3 of the minutes to get the shape of the jack and the shadow right. (not nearly as long for the apple)    I did complete 4 in the 10 alloted minutes though, and was satisfied with the results.

'TaDerra'

6 x 6 oil on panel 40.00 + 6.00 s + h

      I've been inspired by Karen Bruson's portrats and decided to try some using her wonderful colorful abandon.... I had these reference photos I took of my students back in 2007 or 8, and thought I'd give it a 'go'...    got a way to go, but I feel I'm getting somewhere...I'll keep trying til I get it !!

Day One Hundred-Fifty One

                                                     'Lu-Ray Cream Pitcher'

6 x 8 oil on panel

50.00 + 6.00 s + h

     This was in a frame, too.. I guess I framed them without thinking about posting... Anyhoo,  that probably won't ever happen again... HA !  I post them now when they're still wet !  I scan them, after balancing the wet panel on strips of matboard.   Sometimes it falls off, and I have to do a quick clean up of the glass, but no harm done... Or as Gracie my 3 1/2 yr. old grand daughter says, "No Biggie".  I've found that scanning is easier than photographing since I'm so bad at that.  If I have bigger paintings, though, of course they won't fit on the scanner !

Day One Hundred-Fifty.... phase 2

  Here's the Carol Marine challenge paintings I did this morning--very early--when I couldn't sleep... It was invigorating !!!! thanks, Carol, for all your wonderful ways that you inspire !

 Each section of the 6 x 6 is a 10 minute (exactly !!) study.... and I didn't cheat, even a little bit !

Day One Hundred-Fifty

                                                           'Silver Sugar Bowl'

8 x 8 oil on panel

60.00 + 6.00 s + h

     This is a painting I did awhile ago.  It was in a frame for an art show, when I realized just a little while ago that it had never been posted.   I guess I get a day off !   ha ha !  NOT a chance !

Day One Hundred-Forty Nine

                                                 'Patent Leather with straps'

8 x 8 oil on panel

60.00 + 6.00 s + h

     I got tired of all the veggies and found these cute shoes at Goodwill, so thought I'd change it up a bit.   We've had snow here for so long and we've just been inside the house getting 'cabin fever'.    Maybe I'll invest in a plein aire easel so I can go outside as soon as it's warm and paint !  Does anyone order from Jerry's Artarama ?