Day Two Hundred Nine

'Ranuculus'

6 x 6 oil on panel
75.00 + 6.00 s + h

I remember seeing these for the first time at the home and garden show in St. Louis, years ago. Pots of these were lining the displays of garden equipment and outdoor furniture. I had never seen anything so beautiful... They became my favorite flower, and I proceeded to research them, and I would buy pots of them every spring hoping to 'make them my own'. But, alas, it was not to be, and I finally figured out that they will not survive in our 'zone' on the map... I still love them... but, BOY I found them hard to paint !!

Day Two Hundred Eight

'Gerbera Daisies'

6 x 6 oil on panel
75.00 + 6.00 s + h

Daisies are so perfect when you buy them, they almost look fake to me. I loved these little salmon colored ones. Challenging with all the petals, though, and I had them with a light source, which gave each petal numerous values.... ha !

Day Two Hundred Seven

'Tulips for the Garden'

6 x 6 oil on panel
75.00 + 6.00 s + h

Tulips don't last too long. I painted these, first closed, then partially opened, and now open to the fullest. I love them, but they don't stay for long.... rather like a lesson we can all learn about life, Live it each day to the fullest, it is short for all of us, even at best. Have a fabulous DAY !!

Day Two Hundred Six

'Open Tulips'

6 x 6 oil on panel
75.00 + 6.00 s + h

These were closed just yesterday.... Life is always in motion...

Day Two Hundred Five

'Two Lips are better than One'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I found these at the Farmer's Market in Kirkwood, Mo. It opens on the first of April and offers wonderful fresh produce, plants, and now hormone-free meats and pies, too... great sign that Spring is finally HERE ! yay !

Day Two Hundred Four

'Purple Plums'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I thought that these simple shapes would be a 'piece of cake' to paint... OH CONTRARE ! I fussed and fiddled with the color, the highlights, and the surfaces until I thought I'd go crazy... Guess I shouldn't admit it, but I was surprised at all the complexity that I wasn't expecting ! HA !-- Maybe after Carol Marine's workshop I can put an end to all the "fussing". I know she rigidly enforces a "no fussing" policy. hee hee.

Day Two Hundred Three

'Pepper in Glass Bowl'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I loved the colors together, and this print fabric... The bowl was a bit of a challenge, especially because of the shadow that I realized not only fell onto the white matboard towards the bottom, but it also was seen through the glass. I'm really getting addicted to the complex fabrics under the objects... Hope they are worth the time and effort...

Day Two Hundred Two

'Got Shortcake?'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I've had these sitting next to me for 2 days while I painted, and painted those landscapes. The smell was so wonderful that I couldn't resist and ate one, then another, then I brought my hubby one, (he deserved it, because he's been slaving over the taxes for quite awhile now) Anyhoo, I had a few left, so I decided I'd better paint them quickly. That little colander was a challenge !

Day Two Hundred One

' #4 landscape'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

This time I used alizarin crimson for my "mapping", assuring myself of a bit of red in the composition. Tried to contrast the values, as well, for maximum effect. Somewhat more pleased, I think, but still could be improved upon. Tried soooo hard to put the stroke of color down and NOT
TOUCH it... why is that so H A R D ?

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I can sooo vividly remember watching this really 'cool' girl in my high school art class (Karen Bernard, who was, like a senior when I was probably a sophmore) do a palette knife painting. She was left-handed, and I was so fascinated with her style of handling the knife. I believe she was doing a scene with people, umbrellas, possibly Japanese. (funny how you can remember artwork from YEARS ago ! Anyhoo, I've been dying to try one, but never got a round to it... today's version of the German landscape seemed like as good a time as any... boy, was it challenging - but fun, too.

Day Two Hundred !

'Down the Road'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

This was part of the German Landscape challenge for the Daily Paint Works website this week. Check it out at http://www.dailypaintworks.com
I think I need to be more daring with value and color choices, and not be so literal in my interpretation ! Always something to strive for ! (shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition, eh, Buff?)

(here's a version that I just tried using only yellow, violet, and a little thalo blue)
seems like once I freed myself up on the color, the values were easier, somehow.... go figure ! at least that's how it seemed, because I see much more contrast in this one !

One more version I just finished using a monochromatic scheme... I love periwinkle blue !!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Nine

'3 Cookies'

8 x 8 oil on panel
100.00 + 4.00 s + h

I just couldn't think of a title for the life of me ! I realized after it was too late that I'd placed this vase smack dab in the middle of the composition. I never like to do that, and I'm usually more conscious of it, but I'm a bit 'off' since I've been out of town for almost a week. It takes a while to get back into the swing of the painting routine. I'd better get busy ! No more lolly-gaggin!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Eight

'Subtle Reflection'

These two had a very faint reflection in the tabletop that I didn't see until I was almost finished. It's all about the EYES when doing a good painting... NOT the hand !! (I used to tell my students that, and now I'm finding it out for REAL !) All the things I used to tell them are coming back to haunt me ! ha !

Day One Hundred-Ninety Seven

'Lone Pepper'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

A simple pepper, for a simple post. Sometimes simple is best.

Day One Hundred-Ninety Six

'For Mom'

8 x 8 oil on panel
100.00 + 4.00 s + h

Our mother was a shoe Designer... Many years ago. She designed for Brown Shoe and International Shoe Companies, taking trips to New York City as a young woman to see the newest fashions from France and around the world. She had gone to Art School after high school, to learn her skills. She designed for a St. Louis Company called Amity Pattern, which made the 'lasts' for the shoes, so they could be produced. They had a last which was designed especially for her foot, in case she wanted to wear one of her own designs, they could make them for her.
Dorothy used her art all through her lifetime, finding a niche for herself wherever she worked. She finished her St. Louis career as a portrait artist, and general designer for the Army Records Center, of all places!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Five

'Espresso Vintage?'

8 x 8 oil on panel
100.00 + 4.00 s + h

I love coffee. Coffee of any kind, anytime, anywhere...ha ha !! It comes from being a little girl, and dunking my hard oatmeal and macaroon cookies in coffee to soften them... I got to lovin' that flavor !!!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Four

'Got Peanut Butter?'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

My favorite lunch has become apple, sliced, with loads of peanut butter on each bite..... I love JIF.... Anyhoo, it's really nutritious, and tastes, to me, almost like a carmel apple. Don't ya just love that tart zing ??? I could eat peanut butter on a rock, I think.... ha ha !!!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Three

'No Place like Home'

8 x 8 oil on panel
100.00 + 4.00 s + h

I love this little birdie. He sat on my windowsill, and my grand daughter used to always want to sit up on the counter, watching me cook, and play with all my birdies. He's fun to paint, and I had this shabby chic old fake birdhouse, so I thought I'd put them together. Shabby Chic surfaces are hard to do !!

Day One Hundred-Ninety Two

'My other Love'

6 x 6 oil on panel
80.00 + 4.00 s + h

I think the title says it all... Just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I love... unfortunately, gotta choose !!!

Day One Hundred-Ninety One

'Anniversary Rose'

8 x 8 oil on panel
100.00 + 4.00 s + h

I get a bouquet for my anniversary that gets bigger by one rose every year. This year I received 44 roses. They were various colors. I like this salmon or coral color the best. My hubby... what a guy !
I had a hard time painting it, though !

Day One Hundred-Ninety

'Backyard Offering'

6 X 8 oil on panel
90.00 + 4.00 s + h

I found that in my 'stash' I had another small juice glass similar to yesterday's post. I really do love this little cream pitcher. I love the color, the shape, the handle, and the fact that it's vintage, too.... gotta love those older things we remember from long ago !! I wanna buy every old cream pitcher I see... don't know what it is about them ! ha !