I've set up my paints and table easel in the breakfast room, currently.  That means I can sit and paint instead of standing, but it also means I'll probably be working smaller, which I'm not sure is the greatest idea.  It WILL get my energy back into painting, though, and that IS a good thing.  
     Here's another small one from yesterday.  It's my tulips from Trader Joes.  I love their flower selection.

Symphony in Pink #131

     One more view of my fleeting tree peony bloom.... love them

Up Close #130

 

  I had to rescue my blooms from the constant 4 day rain, before they got ruined.  These wonderful tree peony flowers are my first indication that spring is really here.  Once I measured the flower and it was 7" across... amazing.... and the color is brilliant.  Don't know if I totally captured the color but I tried.... with Winsor Newton's permanent rose.  Still trying for a believable rose color with the light on it.... sometimes the pink seems so unreal and not at all natural.  I remember reading to lighten a color go to the nearest one of the color wheel, rather than always adding white.    still working on it.
     If you have any hints on that, please add a comment to help me... thanks

Peonies in vase #129

 

     Certainly been a long while away from my easel, we have many jobs we are doing around our 100+ year old house, including putting in a new kitchen, and doing a lot of the work ourselves....  
     One of the first signs that spring is really here is my gorgeous tree peony blooms... Once I measured it and the bloom was 7" across !  Well, I rescued several from the rain, (it's rained for days here) and had to get to painting it....   This color is always a challenge, but I used the permanent rose I got awhile back, while seeing it in use on Brenda Ferguson's blog.   Thanks, Brenda, sometimes it is just the ONLY color that will do !!

Rose #127

 

 

     Still struggling with roses... they are hard to paint !  I somehow think I might have an easier time with an apricot or yellow one.   That's next, if I can find one ! ha !    Thanks for the helpful critique from my talented sis on this painting.... when she came over this week for her birthday dinner... love you, Lin !

Ready for spring #123

 

 

     I love these beautiful flowers, here's another version of them.   Something about the tight buds, so compacted with vibrant colored petals and amazing contrast.   Wish I could grown them.  But.... Spring will soon be here, if that's any consolation !

Big Brush #121

 

    Still determined to conquer this rose.... ha ha

Girls bouquets #119

 

 

Here are both the little arrangements the girls had on their placemats at dinner last night...  such a fun family get together... Di made the lasagna and birthday cake, chocolate, of course... she did a fantastic job !