Purple hydrangeas Painting #46

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     These incredible blooms are a gift from a friend. I've never seen anything like these... for 7 years they didn't bloom, but this year,
 W O W !! thanks, Dorothy !!

Oakleaf Hydrangeas Painting #45

     Love the colors on these oakleaf hydrangea blossoms.  Paired here with some pale pink roses..... HOT HOT HOT DAY today.... hottest day in St. Louis since 1931 !

Coneflowers Painting #44

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I'm having such fun with the daisies and coneflowers, and they are right at my fingertips, out past the front door.... fun....

Orange Coneflowers Painting #43

 

     I planted these orange coneflowers 2 years ago, not expecting too much.  This year, they've actually come up very pretty.... Love the variation, because I have the traditional reddish ones too.

In the Studio Painting #42

 

     These daisies last a long time.... they are interesting to paint, because of the slight shadows that fall along the petals.  Included with the mason jar is the old zinc screw-on lid.

For brush cleaning tips, go to the following post......

Frontyard Daisies Painting #40

     The daisies are beautiful, just like all the other flowers this spring.   They grow straight and tall, and are SO sturdy.  I have two huge plants by the front walkway.  I added a few of the roses on a stem, to give a little more color.     

Hydrangeas today... Painting #37

     The hydrangeas in my backyard are so beautiful this year.... maybe because of the mild winter we have had.   Today's painting shows the 3 different colors of flowers scattered on two of my bushes.   I think the periwinkles are the prettiest !

Naptime, circa 1950 Painting #36

 

     I set this up before I left for Arkansas, about a week ago.  Yesterday, I was anxious to go and get my eye surgery, and wanting something to occupy a few hours.  I started this, no drawing at all, just began with my brush, locating areas of extreme light and dark, and letting the image just emerge.   I started to see a shoe there, ( these are very old, and worn, from an antique sale... ) and I just kept refining.  It was kinda fun, no hassle or pressure.   The little quilt is one I made for my granddaughter for her baby dolls, out of left over fabric from a baby quilt I recently completed.     All in all, I like the results, because they truly are looser than my usual paintings.  Since these could have actually been 'baby boomer ' shoes, I named it "Naptime, circa 1950", with the help of my daughter...

Peonies in Ball jar Painting #35

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     Change of pace, today... I found this huge peony in my yard... I inherited a bunch of peony plants... I don't remember this really big one... it was fun to paint.

Maestown Antique Fair... Painting #34

     It was a great Sunday, filled with sun, heat, bratwurst, and LOADS of fabulous antiques.  It was the annual Maestown Antique Fair.  Maestown is a little historic town (and I DO mean LITTLE) in Illinois.  I shot lots of pictures, some of them will work as paintings, but they really are complicated to paint.  I'm trying to get the impression of bodies and shapes and activity.  This is new for me, but I'm gonna keep trying. The colors are really intense, due to the direct sunlight.  More to come.

Buff and Trisha Painting #33

     Funny that's the number of this painting.  It's my daughter and our former next door neighbor, who grew up together since age two.  They are now 33, turning 34 this year !  Here's a picture of the two of them at the new Crystal Bridges art museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.

     Tracey is in school in Fayetteville Arkansas, and will graduate with a masters degree in English education this semester.  She's worked so hard and this degree will compliment her photo-journalism degree from MU.  She got to reconnect with her old buddy this year, which is a joy that most people don't get to do.  
     We're so proud of you, Buffy !

Tomorrow I'll re-evaluate and maybe put a few finishing touches on this !

Yellow Hat Painting #32

     I've seen this woman walking before, with her yellow hat... well, this time I stopped, and asked her for a few pictures, and she graciously obliged.  Something about that hat !

Maggiano's lunch reflections Painting #31

 

     I snapped bunches of pictures while eating with my sis at a fun restaurant in Brentwood this week.  Only problem is... they are so complicated to paint... need to keep subject matter a little more simplified, I'm thinkin'....

Beach Walkers Painting #29

     This is my first attempt at ocean, water, waves, etc.  It is challenging to get the color and values just right.  I think this picture was late afternoon, or it looks that way from the shadows.   Shoes in hand, they are probably walking to the public beach, or the great restaurant on the pier that you see here... Benny's.... great food !

Palm Beach Painting #28

    On a recent visit to Palm Beach to visit my friend, we stopped on the way from the airport at this great seafood restaurant.  I snapped this shot as we left.  Not quite finished.  Gotta put the finishing touches on tomorrow.

Gerbera Daisy Painting #24

 

     These always look so great at the nursery, then I bring them home.   Maybe I'll have to get some Miracle Grow to keep them blooming ! 

Plums Painting #23

     Plums on a plate.   Posting with my post-operative cataract surgery eye closed.    Surgery went well today.   Glad it's over... I was stressed, but so many friends have told me they have had great experiences with it too.   Now, I will be able to see to drive (in one eye, for now) without the glasses and contacts I've worn since I was in Mrs. Lauerman's 4th grade class !

White Asters Painting #22

     Whenever I find these at the thrift store, I buy them.... even if a dog has chewed on them, and they can't really be worn (too well, anyway).  Come to find out, these little numbers are very special indeed, and are made in France... who knew?

Rare portrait commission Painting #21

     I'm working on this as a  SURPRISE  father's day gift.  Here is the first stage, in terre verde green.  I learned this method from Chris Saper's book on portraiture.  She does her completed underpainting in green because it's the complement of the fleshtones which will be added when this is completely dry.  I've used this method in my entire series of students portraits--  flicker site---

Painting #20

         Tried hard to relate the transluscent quality of the grapes.  Don't know if I accomplished it, but it was fun trying.

Also, in the fruit department, it's almost time for summer lemonade... yummy