Stand up and look alive

         
                       This Spring I taught a workshop for a new art organization in St. Louis
                   called  Heartland Art Club.   I have resisted teaching since I retired, but was
                   convinced I should do it this time.   As a result, I made quite a few examples
                   for my students, and also completed a demo each of the 6 Tuesdays.   Here is
                   one of my examples with some shiny, colorful pears from the grocery......

Day 10

Day 10 of the 30/30 challenge   "backlit"

     This is a painting I did a few months ago.  I revisited it and redid the background, which is always the one area I struggle with.   Setting up a successful still life might LOOK like it is very simple, but it is very challenging to get all the pieces to work together correctly, in order to get a successful painting.  

     I got a few new items yesterday to include in some future paintings,(at the thrift store), and am anxious to try them...stay tuned....

Time for a nap painting #96

 

     I know I've become addicted to pears, but I just had to do one more before they completely bit the dust!   I've really tried to work with the economy of strokes here, going so far as finding myself holding my breath as I apply the stroke, hoping it will do exactly what I want it to !! ha ha 
     I've thought a lot about how I'm applying the paint (especially since I've been on a regiment of daily painting for the 30/30 challenge)   I realized during this one that I must be conscious of putting MORE paint on my brush, instead of moving the paint around that's already on the canvas.... Each new revelation is valuable to me, with these 'baby steps' hopefully allowing me to move in the direction I want to go: to free up my work and make it fresh, communicating my subject without overworking the surface.....   I try to learn something new with each endeavor...

From above painting #95

 

     Long ago I did an 'above' point of view, and thought I'd like to tackle it again, to see if my skills had improved.  I really enjoyed making all the brushstrokes 'count' in this one.... 
     Also: reading a great art marketing book I just ordered from Amazon, and getting lots of pointers !  It's called,. I'd Rather be in the Studio.    Great argument in the book for writing an Artist's Statement.... I've never done that, but now I'm composing one gradually in my mind...  Try this book... good stuff for all artists !

New view painting #94

 

     I thought I'd try a different point of view for today.  It's always fun to look at something a new way, I think !

Big brother painting #93

SOLD

     Many varieties of pears, as well as other fruits, at Whole Foods.....  Here are two very different shaped ones.... reminded me of a big brother and his two sisters.....

the Andrew sisters painting #92

 

     I just had to get one more pear painting out of these.  They somehow looked like 3 singers on stage.  I've gotta stop before I have a 'pear series' ha ha .

Twosome painting #91

SOLD

     I really like the way these guys stand up, like they are having a conversation.  Here's to day 6 of the challenge... Now, I'm not 'ahead' anymore, gotta get going today. paint, paint, paint.....but first-(at lunch today we're all going to find out the gender of our new baby which is due in June..... woo woo !)

Pears, persimmons, and periwinkle painting #76

SOLD

     Painted this the other day, and posted another one, so this one got moved and forgotten.... I know it's kinda 'busy', with lots going on, but I liked the color and brushstrokes.... ha !

Day One Hundred !!

                                                            'Pear Twosome'

6 x 8 oil on panel

40.00 + 6.00 s + h

     Day 100 already.  Time flies, but then it seems as if I've just begun.  Trying to come up with new ideas is challenging, but the painting part if still really, Really, fun !  Hope I can continue for a long time at this, and learn as I go.   --- here's to the next 100 paintings ! ---

Day Ninety-Eight

                                                'Pear Parade'

10 v 14 oil on panel

70.00 + s + h    (HOLD)

     This one wouldn't all fit on the scanner, but I probably want to touch it up a bit, anyway.  The baby girls spent the night, and finding time to paint before I got this posted was next to impossible, so I posted it anyway.   After naptime we are going to take Grace to the Nutcracker- live performance in a very intimate, small, auditorium... looking forward to her reaction.  (She's 3 and a half)